The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-03
THE r1nRs-alcHMorD Va SUNDAY rnpxvAKY Isea
Darkness had tired herself out in frolic.

Darkness had tired herself OUT IN irohc'
and was curled up In the basket,
1--WE can't possibly spare AWNING OUT
OF the rent and groceries said Emma
I'VE have spared everything we couu'
That was the trouble, ana ehester heeu-
ed n new pair OF boots!
~ ala think Uncle Ben would give US
a little of som citing" sighed Emma.
"He wont give us a cent" said Ches-
ter, because we didn't take his advice and
give up the house
"Jrst as IL we would" said Emma.
"when mother told us TO try and keep
together, and be ready for her to come
back"
HE might have taken a little off the
rent" said Chester; hes a stiggy old
chap"
I'VE mustn't call him names" said
Emma.
Il will" rctorted Chester. That's just
what he is
Then kitty sat UP in the basket and
began to blink at them, and they began
to laugh.
The next day Emma sat at her sewing
and Matte Dink Darkness was jumping
UP and being put down in a most trying
manner. At last Emma threw spool to
get rid of kitty. Kitty liked that. and
IN minute or two thought she would like
another: so she jumped up on the table,
pushed n spool out with her paw, rolled
It over the edge Of the table. and jumped
down after it.
This was such fun that she came back
and paved out another spool. and then
another. 1nis play continued until
everything In the basket had been taken
out except d piece OF paper that she
could not get hold OF. Walking round
and round the basket and trying TO paw,
without success, kitty at last gave 1t a
spiteful dab and turned It upside down
over herself.
Emma had been watching curiously to
see this cunning kitten-play. and she
laughed softly when the basket capsized
| and made prisoner of Matte, and won
dered what she would do next.
What she did next was TO keep as st1ll
as a mouse, and Emma did not disturb
the basket until it was time 10 pick up the
things and begin TO get supper for Ches-
ter. She raised the basket carefully.
and there was Matte Drinks Darkness
fast asleep.
Emma took out the paper that had de-
| fed kitty. She gave glance OF sur
prise at the first look, then read 1t with
| great interest then waved II ronhd anu
| round her head and shouted "Hooray!
| just like a boy. ~, .
Matte Dinks Darkness woke up with a
| start. and i'm a great fright set up her
Il
! hack and Missed at the alarming opJec'
| spinning about the room
| Emma caught sight of kitty ana selz-
| ing her in her arms Rugged her ana lauSh-
| ed over her until she cried.
Chester noticed when he came nome
| that night how lightly Emma's feet step
ned over the floor. and how easily she
| smiled when she talked; kept smlllnE
when she wasn't saying anything 10 siiliie
/ at. 49,, ,.o q
When he sat down TO supper there was
q strip of paper, with printing ana "r,t-
| INC on #. laid across his plate. he
| glanced at It. took it up and examined H.
! his ewes growing round and MS race
growing red as he read.
"a check. Emma" He almost Whisper
| Oh ha was so afraid 1t wasn't true
prom Uncle Ben" said chester
| little louder. 10,
For fifty dollars" cried Emma clap
ming her hands. blessed old Uncle ben,
Hes a brick" said Chester. "a hrst-
| class, A No. l brick"
Then Emma told him how she found the
check and that Uncle Ben must nave
nut il in there the day he called on them;
'Nlaltie Drinks is a brick, too saln
Chester when the story was hnlsheu'
They hunted the house over 10 ma neI'
and AZ last discovered her sitting up on
the shelf before the looking-slass' au-
miring herself.-The Independent