The Van Buren press., 1895-05-25
BETTY's VERSE.
BIZ SARAH n. KENYON.

Mr.. Rogers was thinking. His
thoughts went back twenty years, and
he saw himself q young man doing o
prosperous business, and, although not
iu partnership, still intimately asso-
ciated with one who had been his play
mate, neighbor and close friend for
thirty years. And then Mr.. Rogers
saw the financial trouble that had
come upon him, and he thought bitter
ly that, If the friend had played the
part OF friend, IL might have been
averted.
lie saw the twenty years Of estrange-
ment; he felt again the bitterness OF
that hour Of failure.
Mr.. Rogers rose from his chair, and,
going to his safe, drew from it three
notes for five thousand dollars each,
due on the following Monday.
Twenty years is a long time to wait
for Justice" said he TO himself; ''but
now, and without my lifting finger,
these notes have come into my posses
sion, and I know, Robert French, that
1t will be hard for you to pay them.
knew justice would be done at last
And Mr.. Rogers replaced the notes in
his safe and closing his office went
home to eat. Many o man will cry out
for justice when 1t Is revenge he de-
sires-
On Monday morning Mr.. Rogers
went to the station to take the eight
o'clock train for Boston. He had just
taken his seat In the car when he heard
his name spoken, and saw Mr.. Palmer,
his neighbor, standing by his seat.
Are you going to town." asked Mr..
Palmer.
"Yes," was the reply. Anything l
can do for you9"
II wish you would take charge OF
my little girl as far as M. Her
grandmother will meet her there. l
have promised her this visit for week,
and intended to take her down myself,
but Just at the last minute I have re-
ceived dispatch that must be here
to meet some men who are coming out
on the next train"
"Why, OF course ! will" said Mr..
Rogers, heartily. "Where Is she7"
At these words tiny figure clam
bered on the seat, and cheerful voice
announced: Here ISL
"Thank you" said Mr.. Palmer.
'-Good-by, Betty; be good girl and
papa will come for you tomorrow.
"Good-by, papa; give my love to the
baa-lammie, and all the west Of the
family" replied Betty.
People looked around and laughed at
Bstty's putting the larub at the head
Of the family. They saw very little
givl under an immerse hat, and with q
pair OF big blue eyes and rosy cheeks.
Mr.. Rogers put her next to the win
dow, and began TO talk with her.
"How old are you, Betty9" he asked.
"1'm ha]f-past four; how old are
youq" promptly returned Betty.
mot quite hundred" laughed Mr..
Rogers, '.but pretty old, for all that. ;"
"Is that what made the fur all come
of the top OF your head?" she asked,
looking thoughtfully at his bald head,
for the heat had caused him to take OIL
his hat. I
Mr. Rogers said he guessed so.
Betty pointed out various objects OF
interest and made original comments
upon them, not at all abashed by her
companions age and gravity. Suddenly
she looked up and said: II go to Sun
day schoolr' -,
"Do your and what do You do thereT'
"Well, l sing and learn verse. My
teacher gived me new one bout BEARS
but I don't know 1t yet; but know the
f,rst one had; want me to tell 1t to
your" and the big blueeyes looked con-
fldingly up at Mr.. Rogers.
"Why, Of course I do, Betty" he re-
piled. 10.
Betty folded her hands, and, with her
eyes fixed on her listeners face said'
".Love your innymunts.
Mr.. Rogers flushed, aud irvoluntarily
nut his hand to his pocketbook; out
Rettv. all unconscious Of his Thought
said: '.Do you want rue to 'splain 'tY
The listener nodded and the child
went on: .'Do you know what on inny-
munt' is9" but receiving no answer sne
said: "When anybody does naughty
things and bweaks your playthings'
he's q innymunt.' Wobbic Fwench wa, was
nv .innymunt;' he bweaked my do,iy
roso and he sticked burrs In my Daa-
iammie's fur, and he said 1t wasn't Q 3,
baa-lammie, noffln' but just lammie;
and the big eyes grew bigger as they
recalled this last indignity.
Mr.. Rogers looked deeply interestea' a
ord In fact, who could have helped H.
,nni,;no ~ at the earnest little face? bet
tv continued to "'splain:"
"It doesn't mean,' she saiu' una, 'na,
YOU must let him bweak all your aol''