The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-07-23

A ROSE.lEAF CUTTER.

VINO spoiled Aunt AlIty9 EIOwef1g-EhOw
Jack Was Acquitted.
Grandma heard a great commotion.
and, am sorry TO say, something that
sounded little like quarreling, out on
the piazza.
ITS them children, I do believer
said the dear old lady, in dismay.
dropping her knitting and trotting TO
the door,
Jacks cutting holes all in the pretty
rose-leavcs, grandma cried little Cary.
angriiy, rs soon as grandma's face ap-
pearcd in the doorway.
Preserve my paticnce!' exclaimed
grandma. Il wouldn't have believed it
of you. Jack! Those sweet roses, that
Aunt Kitty was going to take to town
tomorrow to the sick little children in
the bospital!" and grandma looked both
grieved and astonished.
But l didn't. grandma protested
Jack. as soon as he could get in word.
~You are sure you have not been
fiourishing your new whip, with the
long snapper on it, too near emp
questioned grandma.
"Why-y, did switch it a little"
And you tried to see how neat yon
could cut ont q piece, Jack Brown!
You can't see anything pretty without
wanting to 'stroy 1t, SO there and
tears of vexation stood in Cary's eyes
at the remem brance Of how Jack had
snapped in an eye of her best dolly
that morning with this same pretty new
whip.
"Well, well. don't dispute, children, -
said grandma, mildly. IF You did do
this, Jack, I'm sure you didn't mean
to. can't believe you would be such
a heartless boy.
Jack went of to the garden, kicking
his toes sullcnly into the clover tufts,
and beheading some tall scarlet pop
pies with the offending whip, for he felt
ill-used.
lie flung himself down in one corner
by the patch Of giant rhubarb. and be-
gan to chew stick. Jack rcsorted to
rhubarb when he felt particularly cross.
Pretty soon bee humned close by
his ear with something red in its
mouth" Jack lodged, and the bee
alightcd in the corner by the garden
fence near him. and before Jack could
hop up it had popped out Of sight into
a little round hole at one side of q sod.
In minute or two Mrs. bee (so Jack
called it, came ont and fed away. Jack
did not move, and not long after the
hurried little worker returned with an
other load. This time she dropped it.
| 1t futtered down to the edge Of the
hole. Jack jumped to look.
| Then he rolled under the rhubarb
and laughed and shouted till an old
pee-wee, wagging his tail on the fence,
flew of in alarm. Jack rushed up tt
the house. ''Grandma! Cary! Come
out! I've found the rosc-leksf snapper!
BLESS my heart! Well, well. I'm
glad it isn't my Jack!' and grandma
rumpled his hair lovingly.
"Nhere is hep cried Cary, looking
about little puzzled.
"Wait minute and you'll sec!' said
Jack. chuckling.
just then along hummed Mrs. Bee
again, and alighted softly on . fine rec
rose.
Snip! snip! Snip! went her little
scissors rapidly, and in moment tiny
disc of the leaf about rs large as a sill
yer half-dime was cut out, and away
she flew with it.
At that moment Aunt Kitty came W
the walk.
"Ah yes" said Aunt Kitty, laughing
"Tis the little upholsterer bee, rs som.
call it. She's got = nest in that hole
Jack. But we won't disturb her il sh,
did come near getting you into trouble
''Shc lines and pads it with rose
leaves, and in this sweet bed she lay
her eggs and places her bee-brcad fo
the little bees to eat when they arr
Matched. Then she adds more leaves
tramping them with her little feet til
the hole is filed to the top. She is {
dainty mother, but ! think we mus
hu NOR her. There are enough roses fol
her and the children, too."-louth''
Companion.