Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-12-02

swell, man comes toward us from
the road. lie was a pretty man, with
hair like buttercups, and lots OF beard
Just the same color. He must have come
from the 'scursion.
land your fathers name is Toggins,
little one? he asked, Hollis Toggins?'
~ said it was.
"'And you love him? he asked
" 'Of coursel' | answered. 1t was a
funny question to ask, wasn't it?
"'And your mamma is the lady with
golden curs who is so pretty? he asked
"'Yes, curls like yours said.
ale laughed and tried to take my hand
but wouldn't let him. | just looked at
him straight cause thought he was rude
to talk SO much to me and not say moth
Ing to Mr.. and Mrs. Jim. Then remem-
bered had not introduced him. This
Is Mr.. and Mrs. Jim, Buttercup man.
said
ale started and looked ever so funny.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jim, did you say?' he
asked, Mr.. and Mrs. Jim?'
"'Mr and Mrs. JIM said.
"'Oh' he said, and laughed and took
off his hat aud made 'em such lovely
bow! | liked him better then.
| "'What was that you called me?' he
asked sort OF inquisitive like.
"'Buttercup man. | answered. Cause
you look like one. You bow like the
mems do in picture books
on he said again. And then he was
thoughtful.
"'You like Mr.. and Mrs. Jim?' he
asked.
81 lore emp told him. And just
next to papa, and Jeane mamma. Then l
told him lots about Mr.. and Mrs. Jim,
how they used to live with and take care
OF Jeane mammals mothers garden until
she died and Jeane mamma was married.
And he listened and was nice and
soeiable.
"'Suppose they should die, what would
you do?' he asked.
why, don't know, said.
Suppose your papa should die, what
would you do?' he asked.
a. 'Tisnt nice thing to suppose
said
"sSuppose your mamma should die,
what would you do?' he asked.
Il said nothing, cause was beginning
to dislike him again.
Which OF them all would you hate to
have die the most" he asked.
| ''Jeane mamma says ! must always be
polite il | can, so | thought I'd better
answer.
I'D hate to have papa or Jeane mam-
ma 10 die, cause love them most, and it
/ would make me die, too. But it would be
dreadful II Mr. and Mrs. Jim died, cause
they re not prepared yet. Pspe and Jeane
mamma would 90 straight to heaven, but
Mr.. and Mrs. Jim haven't any souls yet i,
and would just go to nothing; that would
b. awful. 'spect it would make me III
1T would make you i'll il they ded?'
he asked.
IL know it would, said.
"'Aud II you Mere III, would it make
papa and mamma ill?' he asked.
~ don't know, | SAID, cause | Yasn' I
sure. 'Jeane mamma wouldn't be both
cred much, bat papa would worry
"rhen he tried to kiss me, but |
wouldn't let him cause didn't like his
questions. Then he took off his hat to
Mr. and Mrs. Jim, and went away down
the road with the light shining on his
hair just like it does on Jeane mammals.
| And there goes tue 'scursion back. See
It, Mr.. SYDNEY
The cl1id's attention was mmedi lat ely
distracted by tn music reaching US from
the brass band ON board the pleasure
boat. She held up her thin but we'll
shaped arms and motioned time. Then
she rose and took few pretty steps that
her mother had taught her, and which
Jeane had learned from her mother. She
danced very gracefully. She had a de-
cided aptitude for music. In truth Baby
Toggins WAS precocious in many ways.
What she had told me about the man
struck me as curious. Her description of
him Tailed with my remem brance of the
fair haired man in the porgee boat. l re-
peated the conversation to Toggins. He
looked very much puzzled.
DO you fancy it means anything?' he
asked "Baby is really very much at
tached to the couple. II anything hap
pened to them, it might go hard with her.
SIili 1t Is rather a coWardiv sort OF n
revenge to take-to hurt n rough my
| child, 1t WAS probably he who spied on
US that night on Oak Point. should
Ike to meet him face to fHct!"
In the course Of the afternoon | saw
! Toggins fumbling with stout paddock
and II heavy iron chain.
And what is it for?' asked Baby Tog
gins.
.sFor Mr. and Mrs. JIM" said Toggins,
" il h sonnet thing grim in his tone.
"Oh. for iem to bolt their door with ut
. night and keep out the Buttercup mani
/ cried the child, and she kissed her father
| in the happy Rstouished relief hat child
hood eyince- when surprised in some Sc
cret worry of its heart
To be continued.