The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-03-13
A GREAT TROUBLE.
The Plan by Which Dolly Sweet Paid
for and Was Cured of Her Car eless
Habit.


The Plan by Which Dolly Sweet Paid
for and Was Cured of Her Car eless
Habit.
''Oh dear, have dreadful trouble"
sighed Dolly Sweet. '1t seems as if l
couldn't bearit. Nobody knows how l
feel"
"What great wave of sorrow has
rolled over you now, Puss?" asked
brother Ben, looking up from his
Latin. 'Isyour cake all dough?"
''You know I haven't any cake.
You are laughing at me, You'd think
it was trouble" sobbed Dolly.
''Tell me all about it," said Ben.
"Who knows but l can find way out
of it?"
''There isn't any way out of it, :"
said the little girl. "You see mamma
has got the idea that l am careless.
'Tisn't so; Tn just as careful, but
some way my things get out of sight.
Last week one of my rubber over
shoes got lost, and then couldn't find
one of my new red mittens, and my
handkerehlefs are always losing; and
80 mamma said if 1 lost any thing
more, should have to earn the money
and pay for it. She said 'twould teach
me to be careful"
"Your mother is wise; it's y good
plan," laughed Ben. "But l would
not cry yet"
"You don't know the worst" said
Dolly. "This morning l borrowed
mammals pearl-handled pen-knife, and
tonight put it in my pocket just as
careful, and 'tisn't there, and mamma
says I'll have to pay dollar"
'.Did she know you borrowed it?'
asked Ben.
Dolly hung her head.
Il asked her if could take it to
sharpen my pencil, she said, very low;
"but may be she didn't know how
wanted to take it to school,"
II should think not, said Ben. "But
how will you earn the money? I've
got little l could lend YOU.
Mamma says Ive got to earn it, "
said Dolly. "She'll pay three cents
every time / wipe the supper dishes,
and four cents if l go without dessert
for dinner. How long will it take to
earn dollar?"
'Just about two weeks" answered
Ben, IF you don't miss any days"
There were signs of another tear
shower, which the kind brother hast
ened to avert.
Il don't see as l can wipe your
dishes. or divide my pudding with
you," he said. "for in that case | sup.
pose you couldn't earn your money
but I'll do this: whenever you wipe the
dishes clean and bright, without any
tears, or frowns, I'll give you a ride
down the long hill on my traverse
Will that help any, Puss?"
| "Oh goody!" cried Dolly, the tears
| giving place to smiles.
"And I'll give you the first ont
now" said Ben. "Put on your wraps
and we'll have jolly slide.'
When Dolly came back her face wa
SO bright you would not suppose sh
had ever had any trouble.
For two long weeks she wiped tn
supper dishes, and went without des
sert for dinner. 1t was hard and the
all pitied her, but there came a day a
last when Dolly stood before her moth
er, with bright face
There, mamma, I've earned tn
dollar to pay for the knife" she sale
land I'm so glad
II am glad, too" said MANN;
"And ! think, little daughter, that yo
are improving. You haven't lost an
thing for week-have yon3'
NO" said the little girl, '.only
lead pencil; but most lost butte
off my cloak. Will you please sew
on? put it in my pocket"
Il don't find it," said mamma, lool
ing in all the pockets.
u surely put it there" said Doll