The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-01-07
BESSlE'S CALLERS.
They Gladdened Little Sick Girls Hear
When All Else Had Failed.


When All Else Had Failed.
Happy New Year Bessie darling"
Mamma came into the room and kissed
her little girl. Bessie gave back the
kiss, but sat still, looking very mourn
full indeed.
Mournful on New Years Day!
Yes, it seems strange thing to tell
Of little girl in pleasant room, with
the New Years sun shining brightly
into it. But when tell you how it was
perhaps you will not wonder.
She was just getting over the scarlet
fever She was feeling quite we'll, but
was not yet allowed to go out of the one
room.
This was bad enough, she thought,
but it was not the worst of it. All the
little girls and boys she knew were 60
ing to call on each other this New
Years Day. They had talked about it,
and settled it just before she was taken
sick. Their mothers all said they might,
and had promised to letthem have some
nice things to eat.
And now, you see, as poor Bessie had
had the scarlet fever, she was not only
obliged to stay in the house, but none Of
the other children could come to see her
for fear they might take it.
| "It's so dreadfully lonely" said Bes-
sic, looking out of the window with a
very doleful face.
Mamma talked to her, and told her
stories. but after awhile she grew tired
of them.
81 wonder where Pussy is" she said.
"She used to stay with me and play with
me; but now she stays away somewhere
all the time"
$50 she does" said mamma ''She
just comes at meal.time and gets her
drink of milk, and then she goes away"
II wish Nora would 60 and find her
for me-"
"Tll go, too" said mamma. "Per-
haps she is out in the barn watching for
mice"
Mamma went, and was gone long
time. Bessie got very tired of waiting,
Some of the children who were going
calling went by. \,
They waved their hands to her. and
she felt more doleful than ever because
she could not 60 too.
"And l can't have one single CALL
either" she said. with tears in her eyes.
just then mamma came in with very
bright smile on her face.
"Bessie," she said, ''you are going to
have some calls, after all"
Bessie jumped up and down exclaim
ing:
80 mamma! Who?"
''Mrs. Tabbykins is bringing he!
three children to see you"
'Oh-Pd rather have somebody
know" said Bessie. who had never
heard of Mrs. Tabbykins before. "Bu
I'll say, Happy New Year the momen
you open the door. That's the way they
all do"
"Here they are," said mamma.
She opened the door, and Bessi,
cried:
Happy New Year!"
Her callers were very polite, for the,
answered her at once.
'Meow-w-w-w!"
"Me-e-e-e-e"
"Me-e-e-e-e-e"
"Me-e-e-e-e-e-e"
Bessie gave scream of delight. Il
walked Madam Puss with three littl,
kittens
"Kittens!" exclaimed Bessie. "Tiny
soft. fuzzy kitties. Oh. you darling LITTLE
things! Where did you find them, m am
map"
Mora found them in the hayloft,
said mamma 1--WE had quite a hun
for them"
"A gray one, and a spotted black and
white, and this dear little white one.
mo wonder Pussy stayed away will
these cunning babies to take care Of,
said mamma.
"No, indeed" said Bessie. ut was t,
take care of these cunning little dears
But you must stay with me now, Pussy
and I'll help you with your babies"
She made up her dolls bed for them
She gave them a ride in her dolls car
rage. She cuddled them, and sun,
them to sleep; and it is pleasant to b,
able to say that Mrs. Tabbykins was S,
well contented with her new quarter
that she forgot she was making a New
Years call, and stayed all day.
And when evening came Bessie sail
to her mamma:
X think I've had the incest New Yea
calls in the worldw-Youth's Compan
ion.