Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-03-13
YOUNG FOLKS.

Geese.
It was baking day, and there vas com.
psAy coming, and mamma was in great
hurry.
Don't get in the way, DEAR" she said
to Oracle. IF you'll be a real good girl.
I'll bake You little cake"
in my scaIoped tins" asked Gracie
with sparkling eyes. @Oh, won't that b
nice? And some little thimble cookies
and buiscuits, and some raisins in the
the cake-win you mammal"
Mamma laughed. How could she say
no to such an eagar, coaxing voice2
Il guess 50, if you're good, said she.
20, mamma, and can't make as'prixe-
party, and have it down under the elm
tree by the brook, just like picnic, you
know. and 'vite Joe and Edie, mamma ?"
Il don't care, said mamma, laughing
again, and wondering what Oracle
things ready in half an hour. dear.
So away scampered Oracle across the
road to Mr.. Plummer's house to invite
Joe and Edie. They were delighted, too.
But If it's going to be like real pic
mic, we must take something well a.
you, said thoughtful little Edie. @ThatA
the way to do. you know"
Oracle thought it was q very nice way,
rs they stood watching good-natured
Nora pack a tiny basket for them, because
she felt that not even her own mamma
could make any nicer jelly tarts than
Edie's mamma made
1t was ever SO pleasant down BY the
brook. Under the elm tree was Just the
place for picknic, too. There was
big fat rock that might have been made
on purpose for table. The sun shone
and the birds sang, and there were Mr..
Plummeris geese floating lazily up and
down the brook, not bit frightened.
-Aint they just as prettyf" said Oracle.
Like ships, you know, with white sails.
Oh, let's we play they were ships, and
we were 'specting something by 'em!
But first we'll set the table.
So they threw some crumbs in the
water to toll the ships up their way, and
then they spread a paper on the rock,
and set out the little tea things which
Oracle had remembered to bring, and
filed them with bread and cakes and
tarts.
Now don't it look nice ?" said Oracle,
admiringly. "Only wish we had some
Of those meadow lilies across the swals
to put in the middle, don't your"
why, Joe can get some; he's got his
rubber boots on, said Edie. Cant you,
Joe?"
Il s'pose so, said Joe, looking rather
longingly at the picnic table. He thought
it was pretty enough as it was, and it
was just like girls nonsense to want
bouquets on it. But he rolled up HE
pants and trudged away, whistling. Joe
was boy, and almost years old.
Now, les we sit down, round where
it's shady, and tell what our ships II
bring" said Oracle; and then 'twon't
seem so long till he gets back.
well, let's, said Elsie. IN have Q
blue silk dress.
A little frown came that minute BE-
tween Gracies hazel eyes. am sorry to
tell you that it always came if Oracle was
crossed.
Il was going to say that myself, said
She. "You say pink or red-red is pretty,
Edie.
Rut Edie gave her yellow curls ashake.
. Blue is my color, though" she said
My mamma says so, and she knows.
Cause my eyes are blue, and-and-and
my completing is fair.
mime is, too, just as much as yours,
Edie Plummer, Oracle cried. .And my
said my eyes were hazy, and
hazy eyes are prettier than blue. Your
don't know everything, 1 guess"
@Yours don't, too, flashed Edie. @And
you're moldy. You've got a great big
one on your arm.
you've got freckles, and that's worse"
Oracle, almost ready to cry.
And SO they went on, getting deeper into
q silly little quarrel with every breath.
They forgot Joe and the lilies. They for
got to watch their ships" whose white
sails had brought them down opposite
the elm and the picnic table, which, per-
haps, seemed spread for their especial
benefit.
At all events they helped themselves,
because there was no one to hinder them.
They ate every bit, even to the jelly
And when Joe came hurting up with his
hands full of lilies, he found two little
girls, still with good deal of foolish
anger in their hearts, but crying as hard
as they could over the disaster, and both
trying to sob out the story at once.
Joe let his lilies fall on the empty table
and listened. Then he looked up the
brook after the white plump specks
Then he looked at the two little girls.
Such geese!" he said.
Which do you think he meant
Youths Companion.
Aendinx With Pins.