The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-23
TOTTIE; A SKETCH.

IT was long ago that knew him, ana tnat
hut slightly, for only bit of his lie
touched mine, and yet he was a child TO re-
member and problem to be wondered over
end studied Dark eyes and hair, rather
narrow forehead and retreating chin ana
wilIful, half sullen expression showed not
hopeful inheritance, it must be confessed;
still. there was something in the dirty race
and shabbily clad little figure which ap-
pealed to every mother heart of US, for ne
was a child after all, and, more than that,
a neglected child in whom were great posi-
btlities for goodness and happiness II we
could only once discover and appeal TO
them. we poor young pupil teachers had
all had our trials with him in the kinder
garten, for the world had not been kind TO
Tottie. and after his experience of rough
knocks and neglect ne could hardly be ex
pected to understand all at once that these
new friends had warm hearts and kind
hands TO offer him, and that he could find
happiness among us if he chose to con-
tribute his share towards creating it. There
were times when we almost despaired of
winning him, for we, too, were but learners
in this great school of love, and perhaps did
not always bring a large share ourselves to
the task; but one day we heard a little
story which gave Tottie and his life and
hopes a permanent place in our affections.
narrow dirty street had been his only
playground from babyhood; the place he
called home was a back room reached by
climbing a filthy fight of tumble-down
stairs, with half a dozen quarrelsome
brothers and sisters, q slckly, ignorant
mother and cruel half drunken father to
share it's crowded discomforts. Sunday
meant TO him the day when dad stays
home ticks all the children, fuses with
,4sxxor, ff,aa hnra
Once the stove had been sold that the
father might satisfy his desire for drink,
and the shivering family had passed weeks
of discomfort with no ire and cold food.
Into this narrow life, with it's cramped,
brutalizing surroundings, the kindergarten
had come like ray of sunlight opening for
warmth, freight, space, sunshine fresh air,
clean, happy faces and above all, kind
treatment gentle companionship and pleas
ing instruction taught his expanding mind
seif-respect by making it respectable.
one day he was told that a new home was
open TO him, if he cared to go to it, where
he would never lack for food or warm cloth
ing and where the people would treat him
kindly and Try TO make him happy all the
time. The dark eyes frightened at the pros
pect and eager questions were asked, and
he seemed quite ready to so at once until
he bethought himself to ask: will they let
me come to the kindergarten, do you think,
and is it very far away2 Cause / think
could come two blocks" DO you love the
kindergarten so dearly, Tottie?' Yes, L
wish we had klnderSarISn saturdays ana
Sundays, too. | think heaven must be some
thing like the kindergarten, don't you%'
When he was told that the new home which
was offered him was far away he would
not go and said: No; i win stay here,
where I can come to the kindergarten"
There are many little children in our
beautiful city to whom the free kinder
gartens seem next door to heaven, and those
Of us who look forward 10 a joyous Thanks
giving and Christmas season can do no
wiser deed than lending a helping hand 10
this great charity.
ALICE WINIFRED DRESSER.