Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-02-12
For Little Bits Of Folks.

1t was long after supper-time. l am
sure of this. because Hannah had cleared
of the table and gone into the kitchen to
write letter home. to Sweden; and there
was no one 10 the dining groom excepting
a mouse that was lazily picking up crumbs
the baby had dropped. Besides all this,
know In another way, too; for the baby
was fast asleep in his bed upstairs.
II is perfectly ridiculous for me to call
him the baby. because he was really a big
boy half past five years old but everybody
called him that, so l must, suppose.
Mamma came into the hall and what do
you suppose she saw there the very first
thing? 1t was nothing more nor less than
! big iron engine, with q red smokestack
and only three wheels. 1t must have had
four wheels one Of those days, but now ii
just got along the best way it could on
three. Now, that engine did not belong
to the baby at all; and mamma guessed
just right, when she suspected her boy had
taken it that very afternoon when he was
over playing with Jim Bogg. l tell you
what, mamma did not like that ut all: so
she started upstairs with all her might.
Baby"
But nothing stirred under the bed
, clothes.
"Ba-by!"
"Ump.'
Are you awake"
perhaps SO: tomorrow"
NO, now"
BY this time he was sitting up in bed.
trying to rub his eyes open with his eight
, fingers and two thumbs.
Mamma was standing there with the
candle, aud looking just as savage AS that
a cnuid
Baby, whose engine is that down
stairs?'
You mean. mamma, the one with the
red smokestack and only three legs?"
Yes, said mamma, that's the very
one"
We'll, then" replied the baby, as be
settled down into bed again. that blones
to jim"
Did he say you could have it?"
The baby thought for quite long time,
and then said Seems to me he didn't
expect just took it,"
Come, said mamma, putting down the
candle you must get right up and take il
back"
But haven't got any clothes on, said
the baby.
No difference" said mamma "You
can dress, and III stay here to button your
she's"
.'Oh. dear"
But he had to do it, l can tell you and,
when he came downstairs, there WAS the
engine quite ready to be taken home.
Have | got TO go all alone?" And the
little boy opened the front door, and look
ed out The lights were burning in the
streets; but, phew wasn't it dark between
them?
II tell you what" said mamma, as her
cold, stony heart softened little at last
IN stay here by the window, and perhaps
you can see me all the way over" We'll,
and so,-oh, yes, then the baby clattered
down the trout steps and, after running
straight into the big lilac bush at the cor
ner Of the house, and almost going head mrs,
over the big stone down In the driveway,
he looked around. and there was mamma,
sure enough, standing and waving good
by.
Pretty tough ~ said the baby to him
self; but he tramped on over the hill and
down to the fence that ran across Jim .
back yard. He crawled through, and went
on tlptoe up the steps to the door,
Guess I'll just leave 1t, and run home,
said the little boy TO himself; but he look
ed across. and there was mamma still
standing in the window. No, guess
won't" he said; and so he rang the bell.
The minute the girl opened the door, he
heard Jim crying almost like mad, way up
stairs. Here's Jim's engine, and stole
it; and guess he's crying for that, and
I'm sorry, and I'm going home
And the next thing they saw was a little
boy scurrying across the back yard
through the fence and over the hill. And
| tell you another thing, too, that little
chap did not stop till he was safe in his
mainma's arms again. This makes two
times that I'm gone to bed in only one
night" said the baby. And, mamma, LIN
sorry bout that engine"
That's sll right now, my little man, and
l don't believe all this will happen again
We'll, | rather 'spect not"
So mamma leaned over and kissed him
softly, for she saw his eyes were almos,
shut up tight.
Had only three legs, anyway" said the
baby, as he tucked the clothes close up
under his chin, and so fell asleep. p.-Nes
York Tribune.