Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-02-24
Aunt Martha's Lottle,

Aunt Martha's Lottle.
Dolly and Mark were on the way to
Aunt Martha's new home. Aunt Mar
tina had always lived with them until
very lately; but, much to the children's
grief she married and left them. This
was their first visit, and they had been
SO anxious to see her that they had
persuaded their mother to let them
start two days before the appointed
time, and their mother had written to
Aunt Martha to let her know that they
were coming.
When Dolly and Mark left the steam
cars they found boy waiting for them
at the station, who lifted them into
wagon and drove off without word.
Presently the hack ratified up to
neat little garden gate.
"This is the house," said the driver,
and he helped them out.
Dolly tried to lift the latch of the
gate, but it would not stir. Then Mark
tried, with the same result.
''Now, I am sure she has forgotten
us" whimpered Dolly, and she began
to cry.
DON'T" said Mark, pulling the gate
again, and calling, aunt Martha, Aunt
Martha! here we are.''
"A large dog bounded out of his ken
mel near the house, and, poking his
nose through the bars, parked and
growled.
Then the house door was flung open
and colored woman ran down the
path.
"Where is Aunt Martha?" asked
Mark, as the woman opened the gate.
"She has been detained in the city,"
replied the woman. "She told me to
take care of you until she came back"
Then she added: Il am your Aunt
Martha's Lottie; come right in; Jumbo
won't hurt you"
IT want to go home" sobbed Dolly.
But Mark pulled her gently along,
and Jumbo, who had already made
friends with them, walked on the other
side. They followed Lottie into
bright, pretty room, where table YVES
set for luncheon, near the open fire.
II will go home" cried Dolly, as Lot
tie tried to take off her hood and cloak.
go away, don't like you; you fright
en- me-" and she behaved so badly that
Mark was ashamed Of her, and poor
Lottie was so very much hurt that
presently she said:
"Well, I'll just go away" and left the
room, with tears in her eyes.
"You have made her feel very bad"
said Mark, when they were alone.
"She is black, and 1 don't believe she
has many feelings" answered Dolly.
"That is wicked" said Mark.
The children were both hungry; so
after looking at the nice things on the
table for few minutes they drew up
their chairs and began to eat.
ut is nice,' said Dolly, presently. "If
only that dreadful Lottie would not
come back"
Well, Lottie did not return, and after
they had finished and run out into the
garden to romp with Jumbo, they came
back, to find the table cleared away,
and a large piece Of paper, with these
words written upon it, pinned to the
door:
eff you want to know where to play,
hunt for little note hidden in this
room.''
"Aunt Martha wrote that" said Dol
ly.
mo, Lottie," remarked Mark.
After searching all over the room,
with Jumbo to help them, they found
a tiny note in pot of geranium, which
Mark read.
Dear little Dolly and Mark: I am
so sorry, but cannot be home to meet
you; but Lottie is such a good, kind
woman that she will take care of you
Go up into the garnet, there you will
find plenty of things to play with. Your
loving Aunt Martha
Away they both scampered, followed
by Jumbo, to the top Of the house,
where they found so much to amuse
them that the afternoon passed away
like five minutes.
When a bell rang they went down
stairs and found tea ready. but Lottie
was nowhere to be seen.
ut is like the palace in Beauty and
the Beast" said Mark, looking around
the room.
Just then Mark found folded paper
under the plate Of currant buns.
He laughed. and said, more notes,
Dolly" Then he read. Eight o'clock :