Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-06-18
ALFRED HORNS DAUGHTER.


The Many Trials Innocent Rag Baby
Caused Small Boy.
Alfred Horn was seven years old, but
you would have thought he was seven
teen at least 10 have heard him talk;
there was nothing he resented quite so
much as being called "a little fellow, 3"
or "Altie, and he never omitted an OPP
| portunity of telling that he was Alfred
Horn, jr. He had worn boots for two
years, and had actually begged for
coat with tails.
/ You would never have suspected such
a manly young fellow as this PLAYING
with doll, would you? But he did let
| himself down to it, and that is what my
story is about.
| Alfred had neither brother nor sister
but he was very social and longed for
playmate. His mother did not like him
to associate with the boys in their viii
lage, so he was shut up mostly to the
society Of Carlo. his water spaniel,
which was a beautiful creature with
long silky ears and spotted. curly coat
of white and yellow, and Billy, cat
with fur as black as ink, except one
white spot under his chin. which made
Alfred's father call him Reverend.
Alfred's father was merchant, and
had lately taken partner, Mr.. Grill,
into his firm: this gentleman had bought
house on the street next TO Mr.. Horns
and'the back-yards joined You may be
sure when they were moving in Alfred
was very much interested in all OF the
operations, and sat on the back fence
most of one day. Much TO his disap-
pointment, he did not find out that they
had among any of their bedsteads or
tables dog or a cat, but there were
three little girls
In day or two they came into the
yard to play with their dolls. They
looked very pretty to Alfred, but sup
pose they would not to the little people
of to-day, for it was forty years ago, and |
though their dresses looked very much |
like the dresses of to-day, they wore I
that came down to their |
shoes and their curls instead of being I
tied back with ribbons hung over their
faces, almost in their eyes. Alfred was
not at all bashful. and he determined to
get acquainted without delay; SO he tied
a string to Carlos collar by which
to lead him, took Billy under
his other arm and started to
crawl through the fence. Now
Carlo and Billy were generally
the best of friends. and what in the
world possessed them to quarrel Just
then nobody ever could tell. but Just as
Alfred had set foot on the other side
and Carlos paws were on the bar ready
10 follow, the dog gave ferocious bark
and Billy darted away with bumped
back and eyes blazing like emeralds.
The little girls all screamed and ran
INTO the house. Alfred was mortified
enough. He boxed poor Carlos ears so
'oundly that he hung his head. folded
lis tail between his legs and did not
ook up for half an hour. Billy climbed
ipon the barn and sat looking at them
With very injured air. BY and by the
little girls stole shyly back. and Alfred
old them very politely that his dog
would not hurt them, and as he looked ,
% meek they finally ventured to come !
Up and pat his head. Then they all
rev quite talkative, and he found that
heir names were Mary Jane, Mamie
md Lottie. At first he thought they
oolSed exactly alike, but soon he found
hat Mary Jane was very sober and
lonest; that Mamie laughed all the ,
ime, and that LOttie lisped-quite +.
difference, you see. The dolls !,
ejoiced in the names of Geraldine,
iusannah and Belinda. Alfred ad-
nired them as much as il was possible
or boy to do. | fear you would not :
ave thought them pretty or lovely" :
sn't thai your word? They We're made I
4 cloth, with the hair and eyes and
mouth painted on, and they did stare
But these girls loved them
ust as well as you do your dolls with
heir blonde hair and bright black eyes
hat open and shut.
After this, Alfred spent much of his !,
ime in Mr.. Grill's yard. and Carlo i
made himself useful by drawing Belinda
nd her companions in a little wagon.
nd Billy so far redeemed himself as to
ubInit to being dressed in hat and :
oat and riding behind the dolls in the
apacity. I suppose. Of black footman.
much TO the loss of his ministerial dig h
lity. But Alfred sometimes felt him. O
elf at loss, especially at their reeeP