Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-01-10
THURMONT FREDERICK COUNTY NED. THURSDAY JANUARY II

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She had a father, who was such a
favorite with publicans and policemen
that they very rarely let him out OF
their sight.
They played with him as they would
have played at trap, bat and Dall.
From publican to policeman, when the
publican was done with him, and from
policeman to publican, when the police
man was done with him, was as regu"
larly to be depended on as the chang
ing of day into night and night into
day.
Which suggests comparison be-
tween Little Make-Believe's father anu
the earth, the observable difference be-
ing that when Little Make-Believes
father turned round on his axis it was
with a more eccentric motion than we
attribute to the earth. Generally I'D
his movements, and especially when
the publican passed him on to the po'
| liceman, mathematical niceties were
! conspicuous by their absence. When
the policeman passed him back to the
publican he exhibited more improved
method, which, as rule. lasted no
longer than an hour.
Speaking in comprehensive sense
with wide application in view, pup
licans and policemen would be very
badly off were it not for Little Make
Believes father. Half of them would
have to shut up shop, for it is fact
that, under Providence, he is the princi'
pal means of supplying them with
their daily bread. If they have spark
Of gratitude in them they ought to 90
down upon their knees every night OF
their lives and thank God for sending
them Little Make-Believe's father.
She had no mother. Perhaps she
ought to have thanked God for that.
Notwithstanding the fondnes of pub
licans and policemen for her father,
Little Make Believe did not live alone.
She had Il sister, a year and a halr
Younger than herself. This sister S
name was originally Sarah Anne.
Now. by Il singularly happy twist,
Little Make Believe had invested TINS
somewhat plebeian name with qul'e
an aristocratic flavor. She called her
sister Saranne. Beat that, if you can,
YOU Smiths and you Swythes.
If is a fact that Little Make Believe
was always pretending and living Tor
great portion Of her time an inner
life. as it were; she did not envy the
Queen.
There was one advantage in having
father. 1t dcvolved on him to pro-
vide Il home for his children.
This home, in the matter OF rent
cost him on an average about eighteen
pence week, which he sometimes
paid and sometimes didn't. Generally
didn't.
It was invariably either at the very
top or the very bottom of the house.
never in the middle. Now it was
garret. now Il cellar.
At the present time it was cellar
Having provided this home, he pro
vded nothing else.
That was Little Make Believes ar
eair. He hired roof for his daughters
to sleep under, and then, metaphors
yally, he washed his hands of them
Otherwise, he seldom washed hls
hands.
But. although he gave his children
.oof, by strange oversight he did not
give them a bed. The builder did tha'
the bare boards.
Saranne was Il beautiful child, with
, lovely mouth, curly hair, large, gray
wistful eyes, and skin as smooth az
aew velvet,
When she was baby, another baby.
few months older than herself, whc
vas fond of carrying her about, let hei
fall downstairs, and she had hurt her
spine.
She grew UP very delicate and was
aearly always lying on the boards OF
he cellar, or the garnet, as the case
happened to be, resting herself into
strength.
This was Little Make-Believe's strict
Injunction, the inspiration OF whlch she
1ad derived from friend who mao
,een kind to her for little while, ana
who might have remained her 1rleho
kad not death claimed him.
He was a doctor who, Oh mission
,f charity. had found his way into
She waited tor him outside the house
n which he was engaged, and when he
appeared she went close TO MIN anu
touched his arm. =,
He looked down and saw this small
norsel of humanity looking pleadlngly
up at him.
He saw the struggle in her eyes, I'D
which trembling courage was surviving
TO conquer her. 1t was no lght TASK
Ihis little girl had set herself; he was
50 high, she so low; he was so rich, she
90 poor: he was so great, she so lhslg'
uificant.
Rut when the chord of sweet hui
manity is struck and finds its way 10
The heart these contrasts merge into q
heavenly equality.
"You are the great doctor, sir" in.
ouired Little MGke-Believe.
81 am q doctor, child,' he replied,
kindly. :,
Il hardly dare to arsll yer, sir SAID
Little Make. Believe, but I've got a
little sister with weak, back ana II
you'd come and see her there's nothing
/ wouldn't do for yer. 1t amt fur, sir,
lest around the cOrner--'
He looked at his watch; he had ten
minutes to spare. He opened the door
of his carriage and Little Make-be
lieve clung to the skirts of his coat
fearing that he was about to leave her
81 will see your little sister, he
said. "Jump in"
ooh" cried Little Make Believe, "thc
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