The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-11-06
NOW TORY HELD THE FORT

HOW TOpPY HELD InE SORT.
Nos. mind you, Toppyi No didos Will
l am gone. You are 70 knit 6hy round
on your .oct. an cit. . the back pore
s.iddy, an keep the heas ont Of the dryi
spples.
Yes'n, replied Toppy. She stuck on
lean little finger into morning glory bs
and locked up With qussr little glsrc
from her two bright ssinhlins eyes I
Miss Mehilsbel
Aud mind you nobo6y gets into sh
house BE good girl. Tcppy, and msb
be III let you oa with tvsoty I've round
on your sock TO morrov,
Miss Mehitsbel gathered up the rein
and started Of toward Lover. vhithe
thst sustere spinster msds iorinishtly pi
grimsges with butter and sass.
She did not see Toppys small ros'
turn up. but il did; ios this day Mia
Toppy watched The hlus sAil board Of sh'
wagon vanish dovu The rcd. Thso Oh,
picked up the cosSsss Other long bsovr
apron and With speed 10 her bssls. IRE ID
her eyes. and vigor in her elbows. shs
shooed every chicken into the large win
ter chicken coop and shut II up tightly.
She returned slowly to the house and
picked up her gray sock and yarn bal
from the place on the porch seat.
You nasty. horrid thing, said Toppy,
glanng st the dangling leg viudiciivsly.
With sudden energy she gave the needles
a toss and swish; the stocking landing
amorg the grape leaves Of ths srbor. Top
py danced bare footed double shuttle on
the soft tuif
How'd ye get up there2 she asked, eye
ing the stocking with . little spapping.
sideways quitk OF her eyes.
You asw up there. sockie. to get away
from being made wuss lookiu' thao You
are already.
She ssuntercd down to the gate with .
jaunty cir and looked up and down the
road.
Tsint just time for EN- yet, she said
Guess I'll make me wreath.
She invaded Miss Mehitsbels patch Of
They ain't sweet, said Toppy, curling
them profusely, but they'll make . jolly
crown.
She pulled them With long stems and
wove wreath very dextrously. When she
had placed this Hrmly on her smooth.
mouae colored hair. she braided out two
pig tails which brsnched out behind her
sars in perpetual de6snoe. Toppy was 40
imposing spectacle.
I'll wear dahlyers in my button holes.
,he said. surveying her little shapeless
,alico jacket. DAhlyers are dandies for
triumph.
A row OF dahlias forthwith left their par'
mt stems TO adorn her slight figure.
A loud 'ahem" sounded from the rec
,ion OF the garden gate.
Toppy turned around quickly. Her
ysrden party had arrived 10 full force.
There we're six Of them. They we're poor
louse children, the same ~ Toppy. and
,esriug the stamp Of their pauperism
,lsinly upon them. Suoh clothes. such
nisft hats, such pathetic gowns and trou
ers.
Toppy flung open the gate with mag
lifcent cir Of hospitality.
All here? Yes, there's Gracy and Tom,
md jimmie and Msrth, and Bobby and lit
!e Pete. You've had . hot walk. Didn't
nybody ask you where yos was a'coming
o? Sit down on the porch.
Three on . seat and no squeexing, Wait
i'll l hook Miss Mebitabel's turkey tail
an: 1t gives wind splendid. and you can
,ass it around.
Toppy whisked into The house and 70
urned with the fan.
Six yellow pumpkins were placed IN
ircle out behind the hop poles.
Tbem's chairs, ladies and gentlemen.
1t right down, said Toppy.
Three overturned milk pans jserved for
ables. There were apples, bread and
,u,ter, q mug Of milk, the largest frsc
ion OF a molasses cake and pile OF cook
es. For dessert there we're some early
ipe sour grapes.
How the hungry eyes Of the children
ilated as Toppy brought the viands
IN.
They began with low 'Ahs. which grad
rally rose to squeals - luxury overtop'
ped luxury, and Pete put bis small teeth
INTO . cookie with . snsp that told Of
keenest interest
Toppy watched them eat with her
lrms on her bips and satisfaction 10 her
,yes.
Taste good, Martbsi
Awful, replied Msrths. With mouth
'ull OF apple. Miss Mehitsbel 10 terrible
good ip giving away her vittIes.
Toppy's lips became tbio lins. Her
,ye.lids lowered slowly. She pretended
'he saw . refractory chicken 10 the hops
md made sudden dsss snnong the poles
Bu, Tom had bis suspicions. BE rose
rom the pumpkin aud followed Toppy.
She stood quietly among the vines. look.
log flushed and uneasy. Top, said Tom.
lid you hook al them things Tor us.
Yes. said Toppy. compelled by bis tone
10 reply but | bsint eat rs much as !
wanted TO Tor . week. aod to night I'll
ust tell her and get 90 ssful whipping.
That's all.
Aftefwsrd there wss . grand promenade