The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-24
.rm boy. explained Polly, bit ao,vnea...
BY HELENA DAVIS.

''I wish I was a boyP' exclaimed little Polly Martin as she stood watching her two little brothers performing on tree limb. Girls don't have no fun at all- so they don't" Then Polly ran into the house and the dissatisfaction she felt over her condition was promptly told to her mamma.
 "Whatl' said mamma, "does my little daughter wish to leave me and be boy P for Polly had begged to be dressed in brother Minis clo'es," and in that way be a boy instead of "Just a girl what hadn't ever any fun"
 "Oh, no, l don't wish to leave you, mamma" explained Polly. 'I just want to leave myself-little Polly Martin, and become her brother"
 Mrs. Martin thought busily for a min ute; then, rising, she went into her little sons room and brought forth a pair of solled, half-worn strap overalls, check gingham waist and t pair of sandals that Nim, two years older than Polly, had outgrown. Come. Baby, let mamma say good-by to her dear little girle;" and Mrs Martin proceeded to remove the pretty blue hair ribbon and the freshly laundered white frock from little Polly preparatory to turning her into boy"
 Ten minutes later the front door opened and out ran a queer-looking little chap with girlish baby face and flowing curs. Polly had dropped her identity when she dropped her frock.
 Mercy, it's fun being a boyr" she ex- claimed as she ran down the road towards the playground where half an hour ago
 II ftYafr fhaNa selves like monkeys In a tree. But the boys had gone, much to Polly's disap- pointment. Just as she was about to re- turn to the house the thought struck her that such conduct would be decidedly un- boylike No, she must look for some other companions to play with since her brothers had betaken themselves or. Looking about her for some chance chii- dren, who might have strayed that way sbe saw down a side street two small boys who were riding broomsticks. Fol ly. not having reached the age of dis- crimination, hastened toward her dis coyery. On seeing her advancing the fearless riders checked their fractious stecds and curiously awaited her com ing. These little fellows were dirty faced and dusty-handed urchins whose scan., ragged clothing hardly covered their bodies. But they were boys-enough for Polly who had suddenly become boy herself.
 When within few feet of the small strangers Polly came to halt. The larger and dirtier of the two urchins made the first advancement by sticking his tongue out at her and saying expres- siveiy "Ya-ya-ai
 Polly stood silent, not knowing just how to respond to this unusual form of greet Ing. Then. supposlng 1t was the boyish thing to do, she thrust out her little head and made wry face at the boy.
 'snarty. smartyl' yelled both of the urchins in chorus. Then the larger one put his little fingers in the corners of his eyes and drew them down till they looked most frightful Polly. being of humor- ous turn of mind, laughed. He looked so ridiculous
 ''shut up!' commanded the boy. ."where'd you sprout from7' asked the smaller one. "You look like a girl. Bet ter go get a haircut"
 Polly stood her ground and made an- other face. If 1t was quarrel-well, she'd do her best to be a boy.
 Skinny kin lick you." bragged the