Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-06-03


thing
think it must have been nearly noon
when Mrs. Roberts came in to say the
children's uncle from Danbury was
downstairs, e# 81 ts
They will only be gone few min.
utes, Louie, dear" she said, sweetly;
you won't mind"
And she gave Rosalie some order az
the same time about room upstairs.
So found myself alone. | was in ar
excited frame of mind. Not at all lone.
ly; but | couldn't play with the dolls
until my new friends return; so !
roamed restlessly about the room,
pausing near the fascinating work.
basket at last, AT this moment can
see just how it looked. The shining
bronze needlecase, the racks" of
thread, the bobbins-all the imple.
ments for the needle of that day-and
just on top was large roll OF tape.
Alas and alas for Marias warnings.
took 1t up, turned it around and around
and, yielding to some impulse, can't
say what, | poked my finger through
the center and-out ran the tapel
held the circle remaining in place
in my hand, fairly stiff with fright
What had done, And, poor baby that
! was, picked up the wavy strip had
pushed out and sat down on the floor,
winding and twisting and turning, try.
ing to put it back into the middle agaiHl
| believed | had done some irrepara ble
injury, and my tears fell faster and
faster while all Maria's taunts came
backl No-unless got that tape
rolled in again, surely never would
see my little playmates againl And oh,
the wretchedness of knowing for Ger.
tain what Maria would say Suddenly
heard step on the stairs and, cold
with fright, sprang to my feet To
this day can't tell how it happened
that made bolt for door to the left
of the window, opened it, and, seeing a
narrow flight of stairs, dashed up them,
still clinging to the unlucky tape My
one thought was to hide until got that
roll in place again; and up | went,
| knew later was the attic.
There, for moment | stood parting
and bewildercd. There was light
enough from two or three windows,
and saw large place, nearly full of
trunks, furniture, etc, some old, some
new. A tall secretary stood near one
of the windows and behind this took
refuge, sitting down near the dusty
panes of glass and beginning once more,
but with very shaky little fingers, to
roll the strip of tape back in it's
place. 1t 1c0uldnt go, of course; and
SO, wretched as only little
child can be over borrowed trouble
that seems to her young ignorance ter,
ribly real leaned my head against the
framework of the window sobbing and
crying my heart outl After such love.
ly morningl And now never again
would | see my little friendsi And
Maria would mag" worse than over
and oh--oh-well, since that day sad
hours and real troubles have come into
my life, as they must into all who live
j
if ever the future looked SO miserable
as it did while sat there with the
tangled tape in my little hands and felt
that all my new happiness was at an
end! But what a blessing it is that
children worn out with any worry or
excitement, fall into dreamless sleepl
A roll of carpeting was near by With.
out being conscious of it, my head
dropped, and presently was away of
in the land of Nod
must tell you during the hour slept
what was going on below.
In few moments after my fight up
stairs the children came back. Nat.
urally a search for me followed; ther
Rosalie and Mr.. Roberts were called
They decided had gone home, ant
Rosalie was sent flying over to bring
me back. OF course dear grandma was
alarmed; and while slum bered il
happy forgetfulness of my trouble 6
search was going on in all directions
for the missing child. 1t was Addy,
believe, who from the garden saw some
thing which looked as if it mtgM be il
the window of the attic; and so my frs
conscious moment was awakening il
the afternoon to find half dozen peo
pie leaning over me, talking, laughing
crying together; and sat up bewildered
but called out;
~ didn't mean 10 do IT," and clutcheC
} the tape. | felt sure was to be brough
to task by all combined, especially as
, Maria's steely glance was the first which
met mine.
At this day, when anyone who re
, calls the time wishes to teaze me, they
will say:
"You didn't mean TO do it.r 1t has be
come family by-word.
, Well, of course explained as well al
! could what had happened, holding VI
the tape grimy with my tears and tn,
, dust of the window; aud just then n,
, one laughed, They saw the patheti
/ side of it all, suppose, Even Maria'
! sharp tongue was silent.
What comfort there was in the way
5 was taken home. And when the mex
day Mrs. Roberts ran across with
: real French doll for me, felt as thougl
, could bear even to have Maria do he
harshest with the curling stick if
, had my new treasure in my arms mean
| while.
! "Do you know" heard Mrs, Robert
: say t0grandma, this is capital chanc
| to make it all up with Nell? I'll writ,
7 her tonight, never understood why
she felt hurt with me"
r Grandm9 was silent for moment, hel
] knitting nrrdlo pressed against her low
D er lip Theo she said, gravely:
4 "Well, Marian, will tell you. Whel
1 Nell was left widow she wrote you
= asking your influence in securing ;
!. nnsitinn for her Won nnunr IN