Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-10-09
A FAIR HUMPTY DUMPTY.

iltbl dSO Il w tS
not so densely populated with people
and long rows of dwellings as we find
to-day. Away to the north and west
some houses were scattered here and
there, but the parent city had not even
signiiied its intention OF stretching
out its arms toward the little outlying
suburbs. which now seem part and
parcel" Of its motherhood.
la one OF these little villages, easily
reached by an 1891 cycler, the princi-
pal ARCHITECTURAL feature was the small
Episcopal Church, just lofty enough TO
allow its tiny spire TO emerge from the
clump of surrounding trees. Near by
was the rectory, a spacious house Of
quiet brown, with old-fashioned win
dows. having altogether decided air
of restful content which was certainly
suited to at least one of its occupants,
namely, the Rev. Frank Seymour, the
rector himself
Please notice that am careful to
say one, for, in truth, the principal
member in reality, if not in name
was Miss Molly" or, more properly.
Mary Wilhelmina Smith Seymour,
which rather ugly name for a rather
pretty girl was the legacy with a
couple of hundred year, OF an old
spinster aunt to a somewhat migrate
ful namesake.
For, )" to quote the old housekeeper,
although Miss Molly was the minis
ter's child and great big girl of Is.
when she done up her hair, she ought
to have put away childish things, as
the Good Book says, and begin to set
tie down"
But she didn't. She would turn up
her skirts and run as fast as any village
boy, aud beat him too. She could get
as many tears in her dress rs any girl
of s. AS to love, why she turned up
her dainty nose at the idea OF a
"grande passion with all the natural
contempt OF girl OF Is. Like to see
the man that was good enough for me
TO marry" with shrug that ended in
u scornful laugh.
But The laughs best who laughs last. -"
'Humpty dumpty sat on the wall;
Humpty dumpty had great falll'
a clear voice sang out on the lazy air
at the top of its fresh youthful tones.
Perched on the top of the old gray
wall that bounded the rectory garden
on the south. dividing it from small
footpath which led into the village
road beyond, sat Miss Molly" To
be sure the little path was used almost
solely by the rectory folks themselves.
This would not have made much diff
ference to young lady of Independent
habits, however. To sit day dreaming
on top of that old gray wall, just within
reach of the golden fruit of a time
honored peach tree, ali, this is Para
disc!
And its Eve is pretty one too.
The sun tries to peep in between the
leaves, and lights up all her golden,
fluffy hair like an auriole. A summer
breeze fans her cheeks, nut-brown
from the kiss of wind and weather.
Her big, brown eyes light up with
good natured, youthful appreciation,
as she makes sundry vicious little bites
into n rosy checked peach and sings
the while:
''Humpty dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty dumpty had a great fall. -
But alas! Miss Molly had miscalcu-
lated her security. and, instead OF sit
ting on the old wall half way between
earth and sky, she finds herself in a
more humble position on the lap OF
mother earth. with the blue skies star
ing at her farther off. She is on the
wrong side of the wall, too, sitting in
the middle Of the foot path. and con-
scious Of ominous little spasms OF pain
in her right foot every time she at
tempts TO move.
''Of course, nobody will ever come
along this old road, and. like as not, il
| do scream they'll think I'm only
shammng like the last time that cater
pillar got down my back. and they'll
never think of looking for me- Oh,
dear me" and here she heaves "a dole
full sigh.
The unexpected always turns up.
Down that very little path comes the
sound Of a manly whistle and the
tramp of approaching feet On on
ward they come, and their owner turn.
the corner of the wall. to find IA lady
young and pretty, too, sitting right in
the middle of the road!
Poor, unlucky Miss Molly grows red
with modification, and essays TO rise
but a faint cry OF pain will force Itself
through the quivering lips. in spite oil
her heroic attempt at bravery.
Pardon me- =" and Paul Hendricks
is by her side Immediately. MAY
assist youP / am on my road TO the
rectory. | suppose that brown house
there is it. IL can help you / shall
be pleased to do So"
He is surprised TO see small brown
hand stretched out and its owner say.
II am Molly Seymour. the rector's
daughter. ! suppose you are the son
of papa's old friend"
Paul Hendricks. tho young man
replies.