The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02
A Little Blue Pitcher.

Mother said Dorothy Marsh. "ray
l go oyer 10 Doctor Burney,,s:. and play
Mrs Marsh looked up from her work
she was braiding a rug out Of some
strips OF wooden cloth--"I dent know as
| care" said she. slowly. '1f YOU 30 and
stay half an hour. If YOU mind and be
have pretty. and don't talk too much.
mo. ! wont. mother"
IF Mrs. Burney asks you how ] am.
don't forget TO say Very we'll, | thank
you
NO maam."
Then Dorothy tied on her little stiff
white surbonnet and started. She was
a slender. erect little figure. with smooth
light hair, and round serious face. and
she stepped dainty along. Doctor Bur
ieys house was only little way down.
after she had crossed the road II vas
the most pretentious mansion in the little
country town at that time: square and
white, standing well back from the street
behind disnified groups OF horSe-chest-
nuts and elms.
Dorothy found Hannah at home; and
after the pretty shy little manners had
been made to Mrs. Burnev. the two
girls went upstairs. hustiins earh other
III suDdued delight. Il am so glad you We
did time"
Hannah had. what was very rare in
those days, d veritable play room and
large STOCK of phythings. To little
Dorothy Marsh. with her ordinary and
nsnai store OF rag-bsbies, odd buttons.
possessions partOok Of the marvellous.
The rapture with which she eyed those
boushten dolls. the whole dishes ard the
Pictnre-Dooks was almost pathetic. DorO-
thy never took one OF her humble RAJ
babies along when she went To- ,isit
Hannah. ''@''
I'm afraid my dolls feelings would
DE hurt when she saw Hannan's' she
told her mother once. throwing her own
personality ha al
innocence OF childhood.
kasS dolls are just as good as any for
chiloren TO play with" said her mother.
who was prudent, loving self-repressed
New England woman And Dorothy
never doubted but they We're: still that
thru Of painful delight AMI longing shot
through her at the sight of Hannah's
beautiful china children.
To-day the two little girls played quiet
~ ana happily together as usual Han
nah loaned Dorothy some dolls and so
place., her on temporary level with
herself They went visiting and had
tea from a little round table. set out
braveiy with some tiny china cups and
saucers with rose-buds on them.
Dorothy would have gone home to her
mother the same happy, untroubed lit
lie girl that she was when she came. had
she not accidently spied, just before her
hait hour was up, certain little blue
66n llIeIger' o, IT was in box with some
toy, with little white leaf on each
side. and a dash OF white on the haneiie
20 Hannah" she cried. holding II up to
d dhf y i1sni bav isn9 this beautiful? When
20 that" said Hannah glancing at it
II before? I've had 1t a long
when / was little bit OF thing" ~
Hannah" called Mrs. Burney al the
foot OF the stairs. come here a minute,
dear l want you
After Hanrah had gone. Dorothy sat
staring at the pitcher. II was the most
extraordinary thing to her that Hannah
could speak OF 1t so lightly. Why, II she
had such a pitcher Envy had never en-
tered very far into little Dorothy's heart
before. nor temptation; but they did now.
When Hannah came back she stared
wonderingly al Dorothy, who was quite
at the other side of the room from the
box which had hell the blue pitcer.
why, Dorothy, she cried what makes
YOU look 50 white; you're not sick, are
NO" said Dorothy trembling. Il guess
1 must 20 home"
Don't go till you've had this-see.' -
Hannah held up two apple turnoyers in
triumph. But Dorothy said she did not
care for the turnover. and persistently
tied on her sunbonnet. Hannah followed
her disappointedly to the door. Don
you want 70 take your turnover homer
said she. It's real nice"
No; weve-gOt some" said Dorothy.
with almost a sob. This kindness was
hard for her 10 bear, for she had the lit
tie blue pitcher in her pocket. Poor 1T
tie Dorothy realized very keenly for the
there is to the sweetness Of sin. That
tiny blue pitcher was as heavy a load
on her slight childish shoulders as ever
CHRISTIANS pack was on his. She ate
haunted her always. She hid the pitcher
here and there, finally she buried fl under