Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-05-01
The Homesick TOya.

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If SO, then you know how little Hans
felt. Little Hans is the Dutch doll
who lives in the Brown nursery. And
he was so homesick and lonesome one
day last autumn that he felt as if he
would have to cry out aloud presently
if he wasn't a talking doll.
The Swiss music box was lonesome
and homesick too. All day long-it
was rainy day and they couldn't get
out doors-the children had been MAX
ing the music box play very loudly
and, Home Sweet Home" of all airs.
You may think it, but it's really very
trying to play Home, Sweet Home"
when you're over a thousand miles
away from home and there's big,
tossing, storming ocean rolling be-
tween you and the place you were born
in. The music box played so dolefully
at last that the children grew tired of
it. Besides, it had stopped raining and
they had rushed out into the garden to
run up and down the sidewalk and
play racing.
Then the Dutch doll felt he could
bear it no longer.
He couldn't cry aloud, although he
longed and tried to, because he wasn't
a talkink doll, but wooden tears stood
in the corner of his eyes, and would
have rolled down his cheeks only that
they were wooden.
The round, shining glass eye Of the
music box looked over in his direction
suddenly, and although the eye was
misty with tears, too-for the music
box also felt that it was dreadful to be
so lonely and sorrowful-it could see
that the Dutch doll felt wretched
"Cheer up, Dutchy, cheer up!" 1t
called softly.
Now, there's nothing in the world so
good for troubles as to try to help
someone else, as we all know, and the
very minute the music box had spoken
it felt better.
The Dutch doll started and stopped
crying.
"I'll try to. l am trying" he made
answer, but" and here the wooden
tears began to tremble again, Il do
feel so lonely and miserable
II know" said the music box quiet
ly, and there was a shake in its voice
that hadn't been put there Intention
ally, but we might as well make the
best of matters l suppose. Just think!
If we were at home we'd be quite COM
monplace and of little value, but here
why, they won't let the children play
with you, only holidays, because you're
a curiosity and mustn't get spoiled or
shabby. And they only let them do as
they like with me when they're sick or
it's bad weather and they're shut up
indoors"
81 wish they did play with me often
err" signed the Dutch doll. 1T
wouldn't be SO lonely to be played with
as to be stood up here on the mantle"
Lets wish they will come in to take
us in to see poor sick little Barbara" i"
said the music box bravely.
And few minutes later the wish
was made true.
The nurse carried them into the sick
room presently, and little Barbara al
most cried she was so glad to see
and hear them. And truly, they did
their very best to please her.
Wooden Hans stood up so stiftly
and then fell over in such funny way,
as often as she put him on his feet on
the pillow or counterpart, that she
laughed quiet merrily. And when she
was tired, and snuggled down to rest,
with the Dutch doll lovingly cuddled in
her arms. the music box played its
one tune, Home, Sweet Home so
sweetly that the gentle music lulled
the sick child to sleep.
And when the nurse carried the
Dutch doll and the music box back to
the nursery, by and by, neither of
them felt homesick or lonesome. And
but you can think out what the ex-
perience taught them just as well as l
can. Try it the next time you feel
sad and lonesome and see.-Chicago
Record-Herald.