Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-05-16
BETTY's VERSE.
NY SARAH II. KENYON.

Mr.. Rogers was thinking. His
thoughts went back twenty years, and
he saw himself young man doing a
prosperous business, and, although not
In 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 a friend, it might have been
averted.
He 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 10 his safe, drew from It three
notes for five thousand dollars each,
due on the following Monday.
"Twenty years Is d 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 know Robert French, that
1t will be hard for you to pay them, |
knew justicc would be done at last
And Mr.. Rogers rcpa ,cl tic notes in
his safe and closing his Office went
home to eat. Many u man will cry cut
for justice when it is revenge he de-
sires.
On Monday morning Mr.. Rogers
went to the station to take the eight
o'clock train for Boston. lie 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 |
can do for your"
~ wish you would take charge of
my little girl as far us NJ. Her
grandmother will meet her there. |
have promised her this visit for a week,
and intended to take her down myself
but Just at the last minute 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 she?'
At these words a tiny figure clam.
bered on the seat, and a cheerful voice
announced; Here Isl"
"Thank YOU" said Mr.. Palmer.
'Good-by, Betty; be a 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
Betty's putting the lamb at the head
Of the family. They saw very little
girl under an immense hat, and with
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.
I'm half.past four how old are
you9' promptly returned Betty.
mot quite hundred" laughed Mr..
Rogers, but pretty old, for all that"
rs that what made the fur all come
of the top Of your head9" she asked,
looking thoughtfully at his bald head,
for the heat had caused him to take of
his hat
Mr. Rogers said he guessed 80.
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 60 to Sun.
day school"
do you? and what do you do there9"
well, I sing and learn verse. My
teacher gived me new one bout bears,
but | don't know 1t yet but I know the
first one I had want me to tell 1t to
you2" and the big blue eye looked con-
fdingly up at Mr.. Rogers.
"Why, Of course do, Betty he re-
piled.
Betty folded her hands, and, with her
eyes flxed on her listeners face, saidi
Love your innymunts.'
Mr.. Rogers flushed, and involuntarily
put his hand to his pocketbook; but
Betty, all unconscious Of his thought,
said; do you want me to 'splain it2"
The listener nodded and the child
went on; do you know what an 'lnny-
munt' is2" but receiving no answer, she
said; when anybody does naughty
things and bweaks your playthings,
he's 'innymunt' Wobbie Fwench was
my innymunt;' he bweaked my dolly's
nose, and he sticked burrs in my baa-
lammie's fur, and he said 1t wasn't a
baa-lammie, noffin' but just lammie"
and the big eyes grew bigger as they
recalled this last indignity.
Mr.. Rogers looked deeply interested,
and, in fact, who could have helped II,
looking at the earnest little face? Bet
ty continued to "splaln:"
at doesn't mean she said, that
you must lot him bweak all your dolls
noses nor call your baa- lammie Names
cause that's wicked; but last week
Wobbie bweaked his 'locipede, and the
next day all the boys were going to
have waco, and when | said my
pwayers ! told the Lord was glad
Wobbie had bweaked his 'locipede.
was, but when wanted to 20 to sleep
feeled bad here" and Betty placed
q tiny hand on her chest, and drew
long breath. But by and by, after
much as hour, | guess thinked how
naughty that was, and then telled