The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-20
WITH BOYS AND GIRLS.
FATHER TIMES LITTLE FOLKS COR
NER OF THE PAPER TO-DAY.
A Story About Miss SophOnisbs Eloise
Otherwise Known as TOt-Other Read
ing of Interest to Children.

When Tot was four years old she was
the tiniest little girl you ever saw. FOR
that reason fLe was called Tot, because her
real name was Sophonisba Eloise, ana
everybody would have laughed at the
idea of such a little girl having such a
big name.
Now although Tot was so tiny, she was
as brave as she could be. There was not
A living thing of which she was afraid;
and she made friends with shy little
calves. stray dogs, and poor homeless
cats. And what do you suppose was her
greatest and highest wish? 1t was really
very funny, although Tot was in earnest
about it. She wanted a real live ele-
plant for a pet.
"Why. Tot" said her father, what
would you do with a pet elephant?"
Feed him." answered Tot.
Dear. dear me-" continued her father.
"And where would you keep him? There
is not enough room in all the house for
one"
Il know that" replied Tot, promptly,
''but there's lots and lots and lots of room
outdoors, and / would nave a tent"
"Oh," said papa, you would? Well,
Tn glad you haven't got a pet as big as
that. But I'll tell you what you can DO.
Once a week nurse can take you to the
park to see the animals, and you can pre-
tend that they are yours"
So every week nurse and Tot went to
the park wher' the elephants and other
animals were kept, and Tot was IS happy
as could be. 1t was very strange that a
little girl should have such fondness for
wild animals, but it was so.
There was an enOrmOu elephant there,
nearly as big as poor old Jumbo, and Tot
was happy as long as she could feed him.
Every bright penny she got was pat away
10 buy peanuts for her elephant" as
papa called him-his real name was Jack
and finally he came to know Tot.
Nurse was not so brave as her tiny
charge, and did not care for elephants in
the least. Every day Jack used to carry
people around on his back, and it was
Tots one great sorrow that she could not
ride too. 1t was all because nurse was
afraid Of biz Jack. and could not be
coaxed TO eli NIB up the steps and sit in
the box that he carried on his back. SO
Tot had 10 be content with feeding him;
but she often said that when she grew to
be a big girl. and could so out alone, she
would spend all her time in riding on ele-
Ihants.
al right" laughed papa, when she
told him this once; you will spend all
your money, too, as well as your time
that way"
But Tot did not care; she thought there
was no better way to use money than to
spend IL upor elephants.
One day Tot and nurse were later than
usual in going to the park. Tot carried a
big bag of peanuts for Jack. but when
they reached Jacks place they found that
he had gone TO take people riding. Nurse
was very we'll pleased at this. for she
never liked TO so near Jack; but, oh, how
Tot did envy those happy people that
were going 10 have a ride!
They walked down the path toward the
place where JACK stood. People were
climbing up the steps at Jacks side, and
taking their seats in the box that he car
ried. Tot stood at a distance, watching
them. She was afraid that nurse would
not wait until the ride was over, and that
Jack would not get his peanuts. At this
thought her eyes filled with tears. The
seats were all taken at last, and Jack
started off, with his keeper seated on his
head. Nurse was not attending to Tot at
the moment. but looking at some bright
colorcd birds in a cage, and thinking how
nice their feathers would look in a hat
that she was making.
Jack came slowly down the road, and
Just as ne drew near Tot thought that
fhe would run out and give him the pea
nuts. She was not at all afraid Of the
great. big beast. and in a moment stood
dtlC(nS III AiOhl VI nlHA. JAIN WdS very
close upon her at the time, and coming
toward the TRY girl. The keeper shouted
and tried TO halt Jack; everybody on his
back yelled with fear; but Jack kept right
on. Nurse, who had turned around 10 see
what was the matter. was so frightened
she could not move. But Jack would not
have harmed the little girl. Just as he
came up TO her he waved his trunk,
picked up Tot in II. and lifted her gently
TO one side. and set her down unhurt and
not frightened in the least.
Poor nurse was so frightened that she
cried all the way home, and got a scold-
Ing from mamma for not looking after
Tot better. When "a came home and
heard all about 1t he praised Jack highly,
snd the next day papa and Tot went to-
sether 10 the park. Jack had twice as
many peanuts as usual, and t~hen-just
tnink OF it!-Tot had n ride on Jacks
back for the first time in her life, which
proved TO be u most delightful expe-
iiencc.
LITTL FOLKS