The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-04-30
POLLY PiNkUM.
A Baby's Adventure Among a Lot OF wild
Texas steers.

| fOIII flNkOM.
A Baby's Adventure Among a Lot Of wild
Texas steers.
1t was not her name at all, and why
she called herself Polly Pinkum l do
not know, and do not suppose she did;
but because she did every one else did,
for if ever there was family ruled bya
baby, it was Polly Pinkum's family, and
she was the baby.
Every one and every thing about the
farmhouse loved her dearly, she was
such little parcel of sunshine.
1t was the prettiest farmhouse in the
world, and it never looked so pretty as
in the afternoon. all dimpled over by
the setting sun shining through the
vines and trees
Grandma's portly figure pretty we'll
filled up the doorway, as she stood there
one afternoon, shading her eyes w:th
her hand, and looking off anxiously to-
ward the field, where the men had been
busy harvesting.
At last she saw them coming, and
waved her apron vigorously, and when
grandpa waved his hat, she disappeared
to finish getting supper
When she came out again, they were
all clustered around the pump, refresh
ing their hot threats with the cool wa.
| ter.
"IIurry up, boys" she called cheer
fully, in her jolly voice, supper is all
on the table"
"Now, mother" said grandpa, who
was tho oldest boy, 'don'tyou hurry US.
We've hurried all the afternoon to get
ahead Of the storm that blew over, and
now you are going to hurry us, too. I
vow it's too bad"
$50 It's" said grandma sympathet-
ically, land you need not hurry one
bit, but I've baked you an omelet as
light and pulled up as vanity, and just
about as quick to fall. And the Sally
Lunns are done just right, but don't
you-hurry."
And grandma went inside again.
while the boys fell to with will,
smashing the water over their hot heads
and necks, and emerging red and shin
ing from the roller towel that hung in
the latticed porch.
But when they were sitting down at
the table grandpa missed his baby.
where's my Polly Pinkum?" he asked,
looking under the table to see If she
were hiding.
"There" cried grandma, ''she came
around while was getting supper, and
says: boo by, gran'ma, Polly Pinkum
dom vizting.' lido believe hain't seen
the darling since"
"Why, mother, l thought she was
with YOU" said Polly's mamma, pale
and trembling. 81 had headache, and
was lying down upstairs"
''She had on your red silk handker.
chief and my old black silk parasol in
her hand" said grandma, following
grandpa out to the porch, for the men
had quickly scattered through the great
yard in search of the baby they loved SC
we'll.
keep her back" said grandpa, point.
ing toward Polly's invalid mother. 'I'm
afraid the baby's got in among them
Texas steers"
For the first time in grandma's life
she felt faint and she sat down on the
step.
''Oh, father, didn't you send 'em tc
town to-day? You said you were going
tc," she asked, trembling all over.
Couldn't spare the men on account o.
tho storm, so l put it off until to-mor
row."
"And the red silk handkerchief, =
moaned grandma, but then she went in
side at once to find the poor mother.
Grandpa took down his ox-goad, ani
with trembling steps walked toward the
yard where the fierce creatures were
kept. They came lowing toward hin
as he entered the gate, and shook thei
great branching horns, at which poo
grandpa could not bear to look.
In this yard was straw stack with /;
place followed out, and this, before the
Texas steers were brought up, Poll,
Pinkum called her house, and delig htet
. to play in.
Grandpa put his hand on the gate ant
: let his heart cry out "Ah Cod" befor
4 he could get strength enough to go in
: At last he entered, and driving the ami
{ mails away with his leather goad, h
found the straw-house all safe and tn
:. little maiden unhurt
y Hello, dranpa," she called, did o
= tome to see mo In my house? Use I
q the m'agerie now"
Q Menagerie indeed. In . cage of viii
T. beasts Polly Pinkum would have bee
\ Is free from danger. Do you thin
grandpa will believe in guardian angel
d after this?
"Iwant to doe home. 1 feels my al
l. petite, and wants my dinny," col
10 tinued the baby.
le Grandpa lifted her up and carried he
out of the yard. and when the linch-pi
was in the gate and all secure, b
I dropped on his knees and thanked Go
pt from his heart that his darling W;
u safe.-L. f. Crittenden, in Christian ,
Wnrl