Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-12-13
DoNALD's CAP

where's grandpa?" called an ex-
cited little voce at the front door.
Para and have come to take him
driving, and papa's holding the
horses"
Grandmother smiled over her
glasses. You'll find grandfather in
the library. Doaald," she said, and as
the chubby little figure trudged along
toward the library door Aunt Bass
called after him:
Cap off in the house, Don, IL you
want to be my pet nevvy!" =.
A minute later Donald came back
into the sitting-room with grandfa!h-
er's tai silk hat on his head, and 1t
had slipped down over his eyes and
nose until nothing but his red rose
bud mouth was in sight. But grand
father was c!o;e behind, and min
ute later he had rescued his precious
hat from Dona!d's head, and the two
had started off together.
Donald's paper was waiting in the
carriage. That's right, come on!
These horses don't like to stand!" he
called. as they came out, and added,
s"Donald. you've left your cap in the
house. Go back and get it."
"Donald's hands went up to his
head. No cap there. So back into the
house he went.
"Where's my cap, grandma?"
Grandmother did not know, but she
went into the library with him, and
lifted all the pillows on the couch,
and looked under the couch, and un-
der the chairs, and under the news,
Epers on the table, and in all the
places where Donald's cap usually
gets. She could not find it.
Out in the carriage Donald's papa
was getting impatient. Its strange
they can't find that capt" he mutter-
ed. THE boy wasn't in the house
fivey minutes" And at last he gave
the reins to grandfather, and went
in to see about it himself.
Il don't member putin it any
where at all, papa" Donald said.
"That's the trouble-he never doss
remember!" his papa said, finally. II
told him yesterday that the next time
he lost his cap he'd stay at home
from the place he was going, and that
means this drive. Father and will
go without him. This is the only way
to teach him. But IL he finds his cap
before me come back, I'll take him
little drive then" And Donald's papa
jumped into the carriage beside
grandfather, and drove off.
Donald sat on the front steps, look
ing after them-a miserable heap of
disappointment. Two big tears were
rolling down his cheeks. 1t was
beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon.
and he had been promised this drive
all the week! o dear-and o dear!
Where could that Old cap be?
1t was two hours before the car
riage drove up again.
Have you found your cap?" called
papa.
Donald shook his head hopelessly,
and Aunt Bess answered, Found 1t!
We've turned this house inside out
since you went away, and If didn't
, remember telling him to take 1t off
when he came in, should know pos
itively that you brought him here
bareheaded!"
While she was speaking grand
father had climbed out of the car
riage, and now, as he came up the
sters, he took off his own high hat
and put it on Donald's curly head.
There, sir!" he said. "If you can't
find your hat you may have mlne!'
1t was only a joke. Of course, for
grandfather is really very careful of
his s,linp silk hat, but as he lifted II
from Donald's head again. Aunt Bess
cried cut 'Lcok there!"
Welt" said grandfather.
II never!" said grandmother. For
there, on top of Donald's curls, was
the missing cap!
BY that time papa had tied the
horses and was coming up the steps.
where did that cap come from?" he
demanded, and they all stared at
each other without a word.
Donald spoke first. II know!" he
cried. ut coined out of the top of
grandpa's hiatt"
at must have stuck there when he
had on my hat before!" added grand
father.
Now, papa" Donald said then, II
couldn't find my cap fore you coined
back, cause you an grandpa had 1t
wiz you in the carriage"
Papa burst out laughing at that.
Come on. father!" he cried.
There's time yet for good spin
round the mark before dinner and l