Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-06-04
Meg's DisappOint III c Mt.

he fire doesn't go out, and get a bit of
dinner. The cleaning must stay till
come back. It's very awkward your
Uncle Tom getting i'll on a Saturday.
but it can't be helped. shall be back
by tea time. Good-by, dears!"
When Mrs. Bryant had gone, Meg
threw herself into chair and burst
into tears.
Il declare it's too bad" she eXclaim-
ed, ito have to stay at home and look
after baby. instead of going backber-
rying with the other girls Uncle Tom
might have got i'll some other day"
why 90 crying. Meg?" lisped little
3year-old Bonnie, putting chubby lit
tie hand into Meg's.
Get away, Bennie,' cried Meg,
peevishly, giving him a push.
Ben was forgiving little fellow, so
he stroked Meg's hand softly and whis-
pered:
Poor little Meg. Poor little Meg!"
Presently he trottcd away into the
garden, and Meg went on crying dis
mally.
I'm always being disappointed"
she grumbled. mo matter what l
settle to do, something's sure to stop
it; and l had set my mind on going
to Bentley Woods to-day"
wherever has that child got tor"
she said. after time, suddenly jump
ing up and running into the garden.
Meg Bryant, Meg Bryant, come
along" called a number Of voices from
the other side Of the hedge which d.
vided the little garden from the high
road.
II can't come" said Meg, GROSSLY.
"Theres uncle gone and got i'll, and
mother gone off all in hurry, and no
one left to look after Bennie."
what a shame!" cried several
voices.
but wherever is Benz" said Meg.
blankly, when she saw he was nowhere
in the garden. She was getting quite
frightened.
I'VE haven't seen him on the road
our way" said the girls; and they all
ood-naturedly joined in the search.
what shall l do If he's lOst?" said
Meg, in dismay.
Hes not lost, never fear" replied
big girl, consolingly; "he couldn't
get far on those little legs Of his"
And to Meg's great relief, when they
reached the corner where the road
turned there was the little chap tod
ding along in the middle of the road,
li fn nd
making a bright patch Of color in the
distance.
Meg flew to her little brother, and
caught him up, covering his face with
kisses.
oh, baby, baby. what fright you
did give me. to be sure"
Use going to mudder," said Ben. SOL
emily. "Meg's cross; mudder's nice"
Come back with me, darling said
his sister; "Meg'll be nice to Bonnie
now
Wi. 'oo?" said Bonnie: den I'll
come"
The fright had quite driven away
Me.'s i'll humor. and when she entered
the cottage again and saw how untidy
it was owing to Mrs. Bryant's having
been suddenly called away from the
Saturdays cleaning. bright thought
came into her head.
I'll do the cleaning to-day" she
said to herself, land surprise mother"
So she set to work with a will. She
black Headed the CRATE till it shone
again. scrubbed the table thoroughly.
mOpped away at the floor till not a
speck Of dirt remained. BY dinner
time Meg was very hungry. and had
quite recovered from her disappoint-
ment
After dinner there was the water to
fetch from the well. and the steps to
clean: and Meg even washed the little
red brick path that led to the gate,
which Mrs. Bryant seldom did. 1t
was so pleasant to think Of mothers
surprise when she would see ii.
When the tea was laid. Meg went
into the garden and picked some flow
ers TO make a pretty posy in an old
brown jug. which she set on the VIM
dow sill.
Poor Mrs. Bryant, tired with tramp
ing along the dusty road could hardly
believe her eyes when she came up to
the little gate and saw beautiful
white step.
why, who has been cleaning that
step?" she said to herself. "A nice lot
of cleaning I've got to do before
can go to bed tonight"
But when she got up to the cottage
door her surprise was greater than
ever; for instead of dirty, untidy
kitchen she saw IA spOtlessly clean one,
with tea ready. the kettle singing away
merrily on the fire, which was reflected
in the bright row of shining tins on
the dresser: baby's rosy face radiant
from recent application of soap and
water; and Meg with happy look on
her face, ready to make the tea.
"Well." said Mrs. Bryant, as she
sank YEARLY into chair, you are a
good girl. Meg!'
And Meg thought, as she saw her
mother resting quietly and enjoying
her tea, that she had never had such
happy day in her life.-Waverley
Magazine.