Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-12-04

bad move, for Lizzie saw it, and quickly
got out OF the swing when it swept near
the ground, and came running to Miss
Frost saying: Shall l get mothers skee-
ter net?'
Miss Frost gave the baby up to Lizzes
care with a feeling that nothing could
break up the child habit of motherhood
ana went to start straw basket for a
big boy at the other end of the yard. Some
time later, passing this way again, she
found the baby peacefully sleeping, with
It's mead protected from the flies by Lizzie's
wooden jacket in lieu of the "skeeter" net.
After that Miss Frost got in the way of
stopping for a chat with Lizzie's mother
and the conversation usually drifted to
Lizzie with the child herself standing by,
a grave, but not very attentive listener.
shes awful hateful" Mrs. White would
say she won't take keer O. the baby"
WY the other day l got her pound o
cakes, dozen bananas and two cents
worth o taffy, and then she warn't
satisfied ., she's awful hateful. Don't
let that child sit on the pavement Lizzie
III beat your brains out.
Miss Frost found herself drawing I'D In
a mental line of battle, with the baby on
one side and herself on the other, and
Lizzie for the prize. She must rescue
Lizzie from the baby, for a few hours at
least, but how?
The playground children thought Miss
Frost said funny things sometimes, for
instance, when they were all making ham
mocks together except Lizzie, who stood
by with the baby and she asked them why
the baby didn't carry Lizzie sometimes,
instead of Lizzie always carrying the
baby. The children laughed at her that
time but none OF them answered her
they didn't know what to say.
Miss FroSts plan of rescue was helped
by the director OF the playground declaring
that on certain day, if the weather was
hne, she would take the children to the
park Miss Frost drew her breath quickly
and said very softly, one word, Lizzie"
She made visit to Mrs. White that day
and after some conversation for and
against it was finally decided that Lizzie
should go. III take care of her." said
Miss Frost, but it's so far don't you think
we'd better not take the baby?'
The day came bright and beautiful,
Miss Frost hurried to the playground,
and teachers and children gathered for
the picnic, Lizzie was there, clean as
to face and hands, and looking a
little scared and crowding up close to
Miss Frost. First there was the long
ride on the street car when the chill
dren sang Under the Bamboo Tree"
and Hang the Conductor to a Sour
Apple Tree and other songs of their
own selecting. Lizzie did not join them
and only once did she speak, and then
to say. Amt this a nice rider"
But the park was a great thing. There
the children went wild. They stood
on the curb and watched the sea lions
threw peanuts to the monkeys ran races
to see the deer and stood in awe
before the bears Lizzie had never
been to the park before, and she looked
on everything, in silent wonder, but
without emotion. Once she wandered
ahead of the others and came flying
back to Miss Frost the great light on
her lace and her pretty mouth one big
smile as she cried gladly, "Oh, Miss
Frost came in sight of a pond with
the dear, familiar ducks swimming there
on.
Miss Frost wondered a little but she
still kept on hopefully, trying to make
Lizzie happy away from the sights and
sounds of home. When it came time
to return, Miss Frost noticed that Liz
zie had soiled pocket handkerchief
wrapped around some object which she
carried with great care She did not
question her but waited.
Arrived at the playground all separ-
ated, but Miss Frost took hold of one
OF Lizzies hands to take her to her
mothers door. The other hand clutch
ed the soiled handkerchief roll. Mrs
White was at the door-they could see
her as they turned the corner. Snatch
ing her hand from Miss Frost's, Lizzie
bolted. Out of breath, Miss Frost fol-
lowed. AS she reached the door, Lizzie
was eagerly removing the handkerchief,
disclosing the treasure within. There
II lay-two fiat rocks, evidently picked
up in the park road, the beautiful light
was again on her face, she was smiling
as she said, breathlessly, For the
baby. '-lH. o. Blogg in the New York
Evening Post.