The St. Johns herald., 1901-04-06
The Settce's Story
~ By Katherine BirdselL.

DR-R-R-RUGH!" shivered the wick
 CT settee. "I never realized what 8 noise enc could make rett!ing his bones before-it seems as if all my joints needed oiling, like the spring chair inside the doctors office. Why"
 What do you know about the doc tors office ?" asked the white painted rocking chair, rocking violently back and forth in the wind as if she enjoyed Its snap. Have you ever seen a doc tors cfice, and if you have, pray what is 1t l;ke?"
 why" laughed the settee; "I was born in one-or, rather, was born in a factory like you were, but that is 50 long ago that I can hardly remember it."
 The cane-seated piazza chair snick- cred, and looked at the white rocker. while he whispered almost loud enough for the Eettee to hear:
 There! told you he was an old fossil. And that proves he is weak in his memory ss well as in his legs. I'm going to give the old fellow glue pot TOT ms ClIt Euay.
 The white rocker laughed softly. Do hush, you funny boy" she said, shak- ing her h;x at him. Hes very nice, if he is old, and he is very interesting, foo. He certainly knows more than some people dO."
 The cane-seated chair looked proper ly rebuked, and nodded 'yes," all though be was a chair of seitee expert ence himself having fer number Of years held an important position in the buffers pantry. It was worth whils to be a little meek if it pleased the white rocker. for every one wished to be in her favor, she was such bright, lively little thing.
 "What Is Q doctors ofilce?" repeated the settee, when he had answered question asked by the capacious red rocker. why. it is 6 room where"
 And what is q room ?" interrupted the white rocker. Whereupon the others burst out laughing. @Why, my dear child" cried the red rocker, "what baby you are, to be sure. But you came>here right from the factory. didn't you? Do you mean to say you have never locked in the window here? X room is a place in- side of house, sometimes as small as this piazza, sometimes smailer or lar ger, surrounded by four walls, w'i.h windows and doors cut through. And ft is always warm like summer in a room. with soft carpet on the floor. somD hing like the grass, ap6 some times fire cracking fire in the chim- ney corner"
 Hike they make on the lawn with twigs and dead leaves?" asked the lit tie rocker. 70, how lovely! I'd give anything to live in room"
 Perhaps you will some day" said the old settee. ''The only trouble is tH at you feel the cold so when you are cut again. We'll, as l was saying, the doctors office is big room, with a little waiting room off of it. I went right to the waiting room from the factors, and l stayed there for long time. was used by sn sorts of people, and sometimes one would lie down upon me and take nap"
 "Humrh!" remarked the cane-seated chair. 'I shouldn't $aink you would make very comfortable bed"
 'I was cushioned with green cordu- rov," said the settee. proudly, "and l was considered very handsome in those days Finally the doctor, who was then only about 25--it was IS years ago-moved me into his office, which is the room where he keeps all his medi cine and instruments"
 'He set his instrument case on me one day last week" said the lit1e rocker proudly; but it made me feel almost faint. 1 remember my rockers had to be cut off with an instrument called saw, after l was painted, for ID my business, he says.
 'How's that?' asked him.
 Why. if that bee was mine says fe. I'd learn him to hunt them butter tlies that fly so high can't reach 'em.' he says.
 How'd you go to do it?' saysI.
 T don't just know how he says. but any bee that's, smart enough to be