Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-08-01
TIE STRANGE Doll BEAN VINE


black skirt and a black lace scarf over
her head. Betty Norv IA blacG s,ll
scarf crossed on her breast and lied
in the back She also had on blact>
cloves, so large thai she had to keep
pulling them ON. black hat. WITH a
dangling Veil and Il black band
around her sleeve. comported we'll
with Roscmary's Iugubrious tNpres
sion.
way to the funeral of Seratina l.ea
Slckersell, who was lying in state over
the border. The entire clan of the
Sickerse'ls was expected to be pres
ent. and all the Lea dolls were there.
for Seratina had been extremely popu-
lar in doll circles. Even the Bishop,
her husband from whom she had
been divorced. was among the mourn
erS.
She looks lovely" said Betty as
the three little Leas stood by the side
of the box in which Serafina lay. The
box was lined with a piece Of green
satin, which Mrs. Lea had discarded,
and Serafina's s fatal loss OF saWdust
was concealed by handsome dress
OF red velvet. trimmed with black
lace, which she had worn at social
tunct ions when in haolth
All the dolls that rejoiced in the
name Of Leland there We're 10 of
thenn-sat supported in their grief by
trees Or bushes. aud the invisible
Sickersells, from least TO greatest,
were among the mollrners.
Its time to sing now announced
Polly
What are we going to sing" in
quired Rosemary.
" Onward. Christian soldiers, march
ing as to war only we must sing it
as Slow as anything, cause it's fu-
neral
Thereupon the three little lcas
drawled the familiar words until
kouser, the dog. began to howl dis
nlally.
amen" said Betty, and the dirge
came to an end
Now, let's dig the grave" said Pol
ly, land everyone can take turns"
She gave Rosemary permission to
begin, but the ground was so hard on
top that the little girl could not do
much digging. Polly. therefore. took
the little shovel and dug for a few
Betty. and when the ground began to
be little iooser Rosemary tried
again. 1t took long time to dig q
hole large enough for the box in
which Serafina lay. and the three lit
lie Leas were almost tired enough to
give up trying to dig grave and
We're talking Of burning Serafina liz
stead, when Rouser jumped in and
went to work with his paws He did
more in two minutes than the little
Aeas could in 90
"That'l do now, Rouser, said
ging. Then they put lid on the box
and put it in the ground. each one
dropping in a flower, and saying.
"Good-bye, Seratina.'
Then they put back the earth and
stuck flag on top.
Mostly they just have a flag for
soldiers. but We haven't any tomb
stone, and, besides, Seratina was
brave enough to deserve flag Polly
explained.
The next day the three little Leas
went over the border and visited
Serafina's grave. They talked Of her
beauty and amiability, and covered
her grave with flowers.
Then it rained for several days, and
they could not get out.
Dear me, ii must be awful wet
over the border sighed Betty.
poor Serafinall get dreffui wet.
won't she?" asked Rosemary.
She's dead and won't feel it, said
Polly
81 know something, said Betty
suddenly
'What?" asked both the others with
animation. for it had been awfully
dull.
'You know when you plant anything
something grows up from it, like the
beans we put in the ground and vines
grew"
"They did saw en- agreed Rose
mary. joyfully will new Seratina
grow out OF the grave?
"Maybe," admitted Polly.