The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-09

inside directly.
"Oh, what pretty carriageP she
said, patting the soft cushions. us
it yours?" and she smiled up into
Miss Ruth's face.
Eyes. What's your name, childT'
"Tilly."
My goodnessl Miss Ruth gave a
start.
"Tilly what7"
"Tilly Truax."
us your ma in the city,"
"I hain't got no ma nor no pa"
Who takes care of you, then"
81 live with Aunt Lou"
"She is poor, isn't she?"
"Yes'm. She's got three children
of her own. They wanted to come,
they was too big. Aunt Lou washes
for folks"
Hump! No wonder you look half
starvedl Is that all the dress you've
gotta"
"No'm. I've got pink dress. that
a lady gave me, in this bundle. Aunt
Lou said it wouldn't do, but it's real
pretty, think"
"Undo your bundle and let me
see."
lilly unrolled the paper, and
showed the remains of child's pink
tarlatan party dress.
"Humph You can take that to
dress dolls with" said Miss Ruth,
with sniff of disdain.
81 haven't got any DOLL" said
lilly.
"I'll get you one"
"Oh, will you? do want one so
bad" And the little things face was
so bright that Miss Ruth actually
smiled at her.
"This is the place." she said, stop
ping the carriage. Jump down,
child" She couldn't say lilly yet
but she would, after awhilel
Betty" said Miss Ruth, walking
into the big, clean kitchen with her
visitor, "here's the child. Get her a
bowl of bread and milk"
Law, Miss Ruth! Did you really
take one?" And Betty's hands went
up in surprise.
Eyes, 1 did. Do you like milk,
child?"
81 don't know" said the baby shy
ly.
Don't know! Didn't you ever
drink milk?"
mo, ma'am. I've seen it, but l
never tasted it. Aunt Lou couldn't
afford to buy it"
betty, be quick Leave the cream
onl Come here lilly, and see if you
like pure country bread and milk"
lilly proved that she did by eat
ing the last drop in the bowl. Miss
Ruth would have offered her more,
but she did not want to make the
child sick the first thing.
"Are you tired?" she asked, when
the bread and milk we're finished.
ooh, no, ma'am."
"Then here is sunbonnet; you
may go out in the yard and play. Do
you like to play on the grass?
81 guess l would like itp' said
lilly sweetly. ''I never tried it."
"Good Lord Is there no grass in
New York? ?" asked Miss Ruth.
"Yes'm. Lots of it in the parks.
But the police don't low you to step
on it,"
"Well, you can step on it here. Go
out now, and do-do just whatever
you're a mind to-"
When she heard that said, Betty
laughed to herself and when Miss
Ruth's back was turned, Betty said:
"She's a-goin' TO 'tother extreme
now That'll be spilled young 'un
afore a week."
Miss Ruth gave lilly little bed
room next to her own, and undressed
her with her own hands.
"Where's your gown, child?" she
said.
81 hain't got no gown" replied
lilly.
"What do you sleep in?"
"This."
This" was a thin nnderwaist,
which, with a small petticoat, COM
pleted the child's underwear.
"Wellp Miss Ruth didn't know
what to do. "Tll get you some to-
morrow" she said. Say your pray
ers and jump ill.,"
prayers" echoed lilly.
"Yes, don't you say any9"
The child shook her head.
"But l will, if you will tell me what
to say" she said brightly.
So Miss Ruth had lilly kneel down
by her lap, and lay the yellow curly
head on her knee, and taught the
child to repeat the simple "Now lay
4 l.