Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-10-03
PATTY'S PRESUMPTION.
.'IIullol"

/
A little white face turned YEARLY
and a CLEAN of interest shot into the
tired eyes as they caught sight of
Patty outside the window. Patty was
short and fat and her face covered
with freckles, but TO the little invalid
she seemed picture of beauty, for
she belonged to the great outside
world of which the sic girl only
caught an occasional glimpse from her
window in The big red brick hospital.
"Hullo," she said, returning Patty's
vigorous greeting in a weak little
vo.ce.
"See, l hav' brought you some
flowers" continued Patty, holding up
her hands full of buttercups and
daisies. al got them at a picnic; but
how all get them up to you? Will
they let me climb up to the window" ?"
Patience nodded and Patty, tying
the flowers in her handkerchief.
climbed lightly up, clinging to light
ming rod and window sill, and holding
by one hand emptied the contents of
the handkerchief into Patients lap.
The sick child gave a cry Of gladness,
and gathering them up held them to.
her face
"They're lots prettier in the woods
and meadows" said Patty. "They
just peek up among the green leaves so
cute. | wish you could see them"
81 wish could" said Patience, her
face full of longing. al never was
in the woods in all my life"
"Oh, myl" gasped Patty, chow
sorry am for you. l wish l could
take you there, but we haven't any
thing but our baby carriage, and you
could not double your feet up in that,
cause you're lame.'
just then the matron entered, giving
Patty such fright that she nearly fell
off the window ledge, but the matron
smiled when She saw her, and stopped
to look at the flowers.
"Her name is Patty" exclaimed
Patience, ''and she lives next door
She feels so sorry for me because I'm
lame that she has saved me these
flowers. She Gays if they had car
riage she would take me 10 the woods,
too"
"Well, ! dggeHkaqY 2ass>s.saA$-j$
they had carriage they would be like
all the rest of the folks-never
thought for any one but themselves.
/ often think that if the people who
have carriages would remember the
sick in the hospitals how many weary
days would be frightened"
"Patty, Patty" cried shrill voice.
"ma says TO come home and take care
of the baby" And she slid down to
the ground pondering the matrons
words. Patty lived so near the hos
pital thet she caught many gil npses of
the suffering within those high brick
walls, but she had never been able to
show her sympathy for the little in
mates except by an occasional cheery
nod and a "Hullo" when she caught
sight of face at the window.
Patience had been there so long that
she felt very we'll acquainted with
her, and her tender little heart was
filled with plans to take her to the woods
as she sat bobbing the baby up and
down in his crib. She lived in the rear
of one of the great avenues, ,and as she
watched the carriages roll past she
wondered why it was that it was only
those who had none who wanted to
take sick people to drive.
just then carriage came by that
Patty had often admired. The stately
horses, with their clanking silver chains,
the immovable coachman in high
top boots, and the soft siIken cushions
against which Mrs. Muchmore leaned
would be just the thing Cor Patience's
lame back, Patty thought.
"She looks sick herself" she com
mented, as Mrs. Muchmores dissatis-
fed eyes rested on her and the baby
for moment and then turned lam
guidly away al shouldn't wonder
bit if she would do it if she only
thought of it. l believe rll ask her."
The idea was so fascinating thai
Patty could think of nothing else.
She had always wanted to make call
on somebody and here was her chance.
She remembered having heard some
where that people who called must
have calling cards, and she set about