The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-02

knee, trying to make her say her
letters; but the doll did not utter
sound, and at lunch time Myra put her
away in her dolls house.
II did not think you would be SO
naughty, Molly Bawn," she said:
"But, remember, l shall oegin again
to morrow. If other dolls are going
to be educated, you SHALL
However, Molly Bawn was not des-
tined to receive any more attention
for some time, for that very evening
Uncle Jack brought home with him
great paper box, which, being set
upon the table and opened, proved
to contain a photograph doll in
lovely blue frock.
"That is yours, Myra," said Uncle
Jack; and Myra kissed him, and was
so happy. And it was no wonder
that she was pleased; for, as soon as
the doll was wound up, it began to
say, in the funniest little voice, this
song, which, no doubt, you all
know
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How l wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like diamond in the sky.''
La few minutes Myra had learned
to make her doll talk, and had set it
to reciting to every one in the house
This went on for more than week;
but suddenly Myra, who had been
looking very solemnly at her doll,
who had been named Minerva, said:
Nov, Minnie, my dear, I am go
ing to wind you up again; and, when
you speak again, do hope that you
will say something besides Twinkle,
twinkle 1t is very beautiful, but
am tired of it. Besides. you should
be learning something every day."
Then she wound Minerva careful
ly, and waited for the result. Of
course, nothing new happened. Min
erva simply repeated Twinkle,
twinkle" again.
You naughty girl p said Myra.
:" You have enough sense to say
something else. You must know
better than to go on like that. Now
listen" And Myra brought from the
book-shelves, where all her own
books were kept, what she called her
"a, B, G book" and began repeat
ing the letters just as one does to
small child. Then she wound Miner
va up again; and Minerva said
Twinkle, twinkle" as before. At
this Myra began to cry.
do not be so sillyw said her
mother. Il am ashamed of your
But Uncle Jack, who was in tie
room, laughed.
:" / can tell you how to bring Min
erva to her Senses" he said, "Shut
her up in the closet with the A, B, G
book, and leave her there until to-
morrow evening; and you will find
she knows her letters"
Myra took Minerva up without
word, carried her to the closet, set
the book open before her, and shut
the door; and pretty soon her uncle
went out. Then Myra brought Molly
BAwn out of her long retirement,
dressed her in her best clothes, and
took her for a walk. That night
Uncle Jack came home early, and
went upstairs at once. Pretty soon
he called to Myra, Bring Minerva
herep And Myra went to the toy
closet at once, and came out with the
doll in her hand.
Hullo, Miss Minerval" said Uncle
Jack. Are you going to say your
letters properly to day."
Then he wound the phonograph,
and set the doll on her feet; and,
astonishing to relate, this time size
did not repeat Twinkle, twinkle"
but slowly and sedately began, lab
CD, EFG, Hulk, LMNOP, Q, r.
S, T, U, WHY, and z"
Obi oh! OIL" cried Myra.
you see what study will do" said
Uncle Jack.
Myra was very serious. She looked
at Uncle Jack ard she locke at the
doll, and all the evening she made it
repeat it's letters; but when she he d
gone upstairs to bed, she said to her
mother:
Mamma, | know he did it be-
cause he loved me; but Uncle Jack
has bought another doll that knows
her letters, and has hidden Minerva.
l know by the dress; the stuff is the
same, but the lace Is different"
That was exactly what Uncle j OK
had done. So Mgra has two talking
dolls, but Molly B iwn is still her fa-
vorite.
"She does not pretend to know