Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-03
AMY'S BACK YARD.

amy was the Idppiost Ntiio III Jan l. oAA
cisco, for Bess. her country twin had
come to visit her.
Summer boarders at Cloverdale had COM
planned Of country loneliness, but when
Amy moved to town she was sure that q
city was the ioneliest place in the world.
True, on the ranch she could not always
play with Bess. but, living she now did
in top fiat, she could no longer have any
pets. AS she thought of Araballa, who
whinnied at her approach; of Snep who
followed her everywhere; of purring Topsy
and her cunning kittens, it seemed that her
heart would break. Then. one morning.
Nora coaxed her to marketing. and the ex-
petition proved fairy wand, Transforming
the dreary city life for the little country
girl.
left the breakfast table. Il want to show
you my back yard"
II thought you hadn't any, exclaimed
Bess.
long!" Her eyes twinkled The dearest
pets live in It, too!''
Instead of turning toward the avenue
way in the opposite direction.
Cant we go on the avenue? protested
Bess, remembering beautiful walk past
palaces" the day before.
Amy shook her head scornfully. The
avenues for afternoons, when we wear
gloves and play we're princesses. Now
we're just children"
At the first cross-street Amy halted cry
ing: Here 1t is-my dear back yard.
Bess stood, puzzled and disappointed. for
she saw only an ugly street. with stores on
both sides. and cars and wagons Whlzzin8
up and down In the middle.
You'll see how nice 1t Is. whispered
Amy mysteriously.
She tiptoed ahead. then came excitedly
running back Beatrice Clarissa is at
home" she announced. Shes sitting In
the parlor. We can have chat while Nora
buys eggs next door,
The children stopped before window
filled with mended shoes. while In 'front.',
beside a red slipper. was curied white
Il don't know what he calls her." con-
fded Amy. signifying a queer old man with
in the shop. but I've named her Beatrice
You don't say SOL cried Bess.
Amy solemnly nodded. I'VE use the sign
Ianguage-watch US talk She merrily
thumped on the window with her fingers.
and Beatrice Clarissa answered with her
paws. until their conversation" was inter-
rupted by Nora's reappearance.
Now, we must cross to the other side OF
the street." said Amy, for my next pet Is
Vegetable Bobbie"
coaxing voice when they had entered the
provision store
Meow replied an enormous pussy.
krawlins out from behind potato bags
Meow He was exauisitely marked
yellow cat.
..Bobbie once lived at the tobacco shop on
the opposite corner. explained Amy.
big black cat belonging to this vegetable
man fought him whenever he crossed the
street. but the day after the black cats
death Bobbie moved over for good and All
While she was relating his biography Bob
bic ceased his caresses. suddenly dartins
into a back room.
"Ou.ck.' cried Amy to Bess. "Nora's
buying corn
On the floor in the back room was heap
of sunlit green. Over 1t stopped Nora: be-
side her stood the vegetable man. and at
his feet purred Bobbie. his watching eyes
as big as saucers. The man picked up the
corn, ear by ear, pulling down the pretty
grains were full Now and then he hit an
ear against the wall. and something fell
curling to the floor, Bobbie sprinsins to de
YOUR it. or,
loves them. I didn't think 1t nice OF him
at first" she admitted. seeing Bess' dis
gust. but we eat raw oysters, so suppose
it's matter of taste"
Mora dear" inquired Amy as they left
Bobbie licking his chops. haven't you a
pain somewhere?
Nora declared she felt like the top of the
morning, without toeache; Dut Amy
looked 80 disappointed that she remembered
an Imperative need of porous plaster, so
the three entered drug store.
On the counter seated with great dig
nifty upon a big open book containing
prescriptions was fine tiger caE, wear
Ing an impressive collar.
my country twin, let me introduce
Admiral Dewey" said Amy, bowling low.
The Admiral soiemnly held cut
paw
Dewey" cried Amy. Il am shocked!
Your right hand always:
The Admiral meekly put down his left
paw and gave Bess his right
1Yv1n N
And Dewey at once stood on Its hind
legs and paved the air.
a block from the drug store Nora went
into a grocery to buy some coffee. ana
while it was being ground the two chill
dren had an exciting play with a darling
Maltese kitten.
THAT ends my CATS" sighel Amy.
"A great many more i've IN my na S,s
because Of Nero"
In front Of a bakery shaggy yellow
dog sat on the alert. At sight of Amy
he bounded to her. jumping on his hind
Every day he goes to the butchers
with US after bone. Amy stopped
she said plaintively, in this home he
has no petting, and in my home have
no doggie, so we make me con-o1-
nation!'
Before reaching the butchers they
stopped once more in order that tender
hearted Amy might give the morning
lump of sugar to q poor Cninese lauh-
dry horse who looked as II he had been
fed on leftover washboards, SO promi-
nent were his ribs.
card said AMY regretfully. There's
the fence" She pointed to the track of a
cross line of cars ooh. goody! she sud
denly cried, I'VE can ride home on the
hay wagonr
With a jolly puff an automobile drew
up al the curb, and a moment later
Grandpa was flying through Amys back
yard, a delighted girl on each side or
him.