The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-02-12
MlNNA'S RAG DOLL.
Grandma Tells Her Fellow Passenger
Why She Delayed the Car.

Grandma Tells Her Fellow Passenger
Why She Delayed the Car.
The day was warm enough " have
the street car windows open, or else
the events of this story would never
have happened. There were only q
half dozen persons in the car. because
most of those who had started home
in it had jumped up and ran for the
bridge when the warning bell rang
just as the car approached it. The de-
lay made most OF the half dozen peo-
pie very cross and impatient, and
when the little old lady in the corner
dropped something out of the window
and insisted on the conductor stopping
the car while she went back to pick It
up, all of the passengers faces grew
dark and scowls were more numerous
than ever. When the little woman
reappeared and the car moved on. a
GOODNESS had settled down upon every
body, and each one blamed the little
woman for the additional delay. She
felt it all, for she was a sensitive little
thing, and she wanted to explain why
it was that she was so persistent in
having the car stopped and held for
her. So she held up to the view of
all in the car the most dilapidated and
mournful looking doll that was ever
seen
80 .4lnna's," she said quietly.
"Minna is my little granddaughter,
and she is very, very sick. We moved
the other day because John-that's
Minna's father-couldnt bear to live
in the old house where Minna's mo-
ther died. 1t made him feel so queer
to be living there without her, he said.
So we have gone way out on this side
to live. Just after we got nicely set-
tied Minna took sick, too. We had
the doctor right away, but Minna don't
seem to be getting any better. She's
quiet enough-too quiet to suit me;
for she just lies there and looks around
with her big, black eyes as if she missed
something and was only waiting for
it to come back. But this morning
she seemed brighter. Grandma she
said. do you know where my doll isl
The rag one, l mean, that mamma
made for me to play with Yes,
child, says l, jumping up, and search
ing round; its here somewhere. And
it does your old grandma q heap Of
good just to hear you ask for it, But
seek high, seek low couldn't find il
anywhere, and then it came over me
all of a sudden that we must have left
it in the old house. So told Minna.
Yes, grandma, that's where it is.
remember, now. It's in hole under
the willow tree in the back yard.
Bless you, child, says l, what did
you put it there for2' Cause, grand
ma, couldn't bear to play with it any
more after mamma died. So I Just
buried it. But l want it now. II
seems as if it would be easier for me
toto 60 to sleep if could hold some.
thing in my hand that mamma made.
Can't you get it, grandma2' So went
back to the old place, and there, sure
enough, under the willow tree was a
little grave all heaped up nice, and q
single for a tombstone with Minnas
dolls name on it. 1t gave me start,
you may be sure. But have it here
safe, now. And that's why was SC
anxious not to lose any time. You
will forgive me, good people2"
Minna went to sleep hand in hanG
with the rag dolly made by the loving
dying mother and never woke up un
til her mothers hand touched her eye.
in the far off country.-Chicage
Times.