Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-15
TOTTIE'S ADVENTURE.

1t was very warm day, and farmer
Gruy's cottage nestled among the flowers
and vines, though there was scarcely
breeze enough to stir their leaves, while
the bees droned lazily among the swee
blossoms, so cool and inviting. Mr. Gray
in a neat, light suit, sat at the sewing ma
chine Her face wore a bright, happy
expression as she glanced now and then at
lottie. playing with kitty on the shady
porch, The patter of his little bare feet,
and his merry laughter was sweet music
to his mother ear. Presently he came in
to Mrs. Gray with a handful of pansies
which he held up saying: Kay for mann
nj" wanting her to fdsten them on her
dress, which she did, saving the bright
est Of them to fasten on TottIe's blue dress
She kissed the sweet little mouth and lift
ed the golden hair that chung in damp
rInglets on his snowy neck and forehead
TOttle trOtted out again to kitty, who
sCampered away out of reach of his out
stretched hands as he stopped to pick her
up, and away she went through the gra-
den and through the fence, and Tottie af-
ter her. By grunting and squeezing he
succeeded in getting through with only a
small rent in his frock. He followed
calling "Kittie, Kittie!' but kittie was
looking for a squirrel and soon out of
sight.
Tottie looked about him and seeing the
bright wild flowers said: Kay for
mamma" and began to gather both hands
full.
He came TO little spot Of water that
trichIed from the spring beyond and see
ing a face within, smiled; the lovely face
smiled back
Iottie shook his flowers at the laughing
baby and his laus liter rang out in the
woodland air; he reached toward the baby
his head touched the cool water, then he
drew back and sat down. He seemed to
realize after little that it was water, and
signing he said "Iottie so firstly
NelghbOr MOor's large dog came trot-
ting through the woods, and when he saw
Tottie, wanted to make friends with him.
Tottie said: DO way, do way waving
his hand as he backed away from him
Shep seemed to understand and lail down
Us guard.
Mrs Gay missing Tottie's prattle, went
to the door, cllled, and hearing nothing of
him, she took her sun hat from the nail
and hurried out toward the garden There
about his little flower bed were the prints
of his tiny soft feet in the soft earth, but
no tottle was to be SEEM she then went to
the gate, looked up and down tie lane, but
no Tottie. She had told him that he
must not open the gate. She then went
around into an open wood road, and there
saw ToHie and Shep. In one hand be
had the wited flowers, with the other
waving at the dog and saying: DO
way"
Mrs Gray saw the frightened look on his
face and hurried forward, and taking him
up in her arms said: How did my prec-
cl0us boy get out here?'
He looked at her, saying, "Kittie get
frue fence, Tottie get frue fence
She told him he must not go through the
fence, that kitty wanted 70 find squirrel
and would not get hurt, but Tottie might
get badly hurt and must not go away
again; he seemed to understand and was
carried into the house, his face and hands
washed, clean froek put on and cup of
bread and milk given to him.
As he sat in his little chair when he
had finished eating, he put the cup and
napkin upon the table, and came to his
mother, saying, Mamma, 'ock Tottie"
She kissed his rosy cheek, and softly sing
ing lullaby Tottie was soon fast asleep
and laid on the couch, sleeping soundly
till his papa returned. ''As one whom
his mother comforted, so the Lord COM
forth His people.