The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-03-02
A True Bedtime Story.

''On, AuAC1e May 1Auutlc May
Please tell us story before we go to
bed cried a group of happy children,
who were seated around a blazing fire.
Having finished their lessons for the NOR
row, they were enjoying the last few mo-
ments before separating for the night
AS Auntie joined Them she began, with
l: miscellaneous twinkle in her eye, "Tll
tell you a story, about little Jack Mo-"
Just here, further information concern
ing little Jack was quickly suppressed,
as small hand pressed her lips frml y,
dear, please don't tease! We want you
to tell us something real NICE
But l shall only have time for wee
story tonight, it is so late,' said Auntie.
well, then, Il Vice. wee story" ex-
claimed Pet, who had been allowed to sit
up later than usual, now climbing to her
fayorite seat upon Auntie's lap. The
tie put on her thinking cap.
Let me see! What shall it be tonight?
Have l ever told you about the young
deaf and dumb girl whom Cousin Lizzie,
i'll California, has for Il servant? No?
| think then you will be interested in
that, especially as there is dear little
doggie in the story"
What is deaf and dumb?'' asked Pet.
"Why, goosie, don't you know?'' cried
S-year-old Robert. "Anybody that's deaf
and dumb can't hear anything and can t
talk"
"Oh! can't talk" said Pet, putting her
4 fingers over her own rosy lips, her face
nlled with dismay at this new revelation
Then as she began to grasp the meaning
somewhat, she gently sighed, Poor
girliev'
Auntie cuddled her closer, and kissing
the lips, said, Yes, darling. it seems
dreadful to think of anyone not being
able to hear or talk. This young girl,
whose name is Nora. has always been
deaf and dumb; and if you could see her,
you would be surprised at her cheerful
ness and light-heartedness. She goes
about the house, doing her work in a hap
Ply, contented way and is very intelli-
gent: Now, how do you thing Cousin
Lizzie talks with her?''
II know said Robert, who seemed to
be Informed on the subject. ''She makes
signs with her fingers. 1 saw deaf and
dumb alphabet the other day.
YES said Auntie, Mora talks with
her myers Isn't that queer, Pet? You
could talk with your fingers, if you had
learned the sign language. Nora had
been taught this language in her child
hood, and Cousin Lizzie learned it very
quickly. After that they had no further
trouble in understanding each other.
AT first, however, there was one Sc.
rlous difficulty that Cousin Lizzie hardly
knew how to overcome. 1t was neces,
sary, at times, that. Nora should be left
alone in the house, while Cousin Lizzie
went out for the afternoon: and as Nora
could not hear the door bell ring. she
could not, of course, wait upon any call.
ers who might happen to come
After a deal of thought on the sub.
ject, Cousin Lizzie decided to press Fido
her pet doggie, into the service.
80 she began to teach him to run tC
Nora and pull her dress, whenever the
bell rang; and as he is an intelligent lit
tie fellow, he soon learned what was re
quired Of him. After this, when Cousir
Lizzie went out. she called the dog anG
said to him, Now, Fido, 1 am going
Nora when the bell rings Fide
would wag his tail, and bark, lookins
very wise, as if he said, Yes, mistress
you may depend upon me. I'll attend tt
the bell And he did his duty so faith
fully, that Nora always knew wher
there was a caller at the door, The tin
kle, tinkle' would awaken him from the
soundest nap, and he would spring up
rush to Nora, pull her dress until she
answered the bell"
How cunning said Pet: And thu
children all agreed that it was very
cunning, indeed, as we'll as unusual, ant
Pet wished she could thug him-jus
once!'
You may hug me, instead said Aun
tie, ''for it is quite bedtime, and 70,
must HE away to happy dreams. Som,
night l will tell you another true story.
|-Watchman.