Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-06-11
What MOppet Did

MOppet ana mary ndQ been playing
hi'o-rnl-go seek all the morning
they had hid in the house in the
barn. in the shed. and in the play
house, and had had beautiful time.
It was Msry's time to seek" and
Moppet meant to fnd new. new
place to hide, as she went scamper-
ing around the house past the juni-
per-tree.
It was Just at that minute that her
eyes we're dazzled by a sudden gilt
ter down the lane. 1t was the CLEAN
Of the bright new pals on the tin
mans cart. The tired old horse
stood at the gate with dropping head.
The cart was heaped high with bun
dies of rags that the tinman had got
from the farmers wives In exchange
for his shining pans and kettles.
The door at the back of the cart
stood invitingly open, and there was
not a soul watching; for the tinman
was at the back door haggling with
Aunty Lou over the exchange OF a
suit Of Ben's for a stew-pan with a
long handle. Moppet saw all with
her round bright eyes. Mary would
never think of looking for her in the
tinman's cart-never in the wide
world!
Back Of the lilac bushes through
the fence she scudded to the lane.
The old horse stood as II asleep.
Moppet rose on tiptoe and peeped
through the open doors of the cart.
It was lined with shining things, but
there was plenty OF room inside for
little Moppet
She wiggled and Jiggled, she
pushed and she pulled. lying fat on
her little stomach, until there she
was, breathless but happy, safe In
the tinman's cart.
Once inside she cuddled down on
a blanket she found there and peeped
out.
There was Aunty Lou and the tin
man at the back door. There was
Ben at the barn and grandpa sitting
on the veranda reading his paper;
and o goodness mel there came Mary
Smith pell-meli around the corner
of the house past the juniper-treei
Suppose she, too. saw the glittering
pals and the open cart Quick as
a fash Moppet reached out and
pulled to the swinging doors. They
came together with a muffed bang
and a sudden snapl
Moppet lay Just as still as a lit
tie mouse, giggling to herself.
MoDpet, Moppet," she could hear
Mary family calling. TOO far away
is no fair-no-fair."
Nearer, nearer came Mary's voice
Moppet held her breath.
"Moppet, Moppet!" nearer still -
then just outside the cart-then
farther - farther, and fainter -
fainter. "Moppet, MopPetl"
And still Moppet giggled away in
the darkness.
Then something fell with a soft
thud on the top of the cart!
Get up!" cried the tinman, crack
ing his whip, get up, old lazy
bones!" And away swung the sleepy
old horse and the tinman's cart; and
there in its dusky depths crouched
Moppet, with the giggle frozen in her
throat.
Mr.. Tinman, Mr.. Tinman!" she
walled. when she could catch her
breath.
But over the elatter of the jolting
hnware rang the jolly tinman's
voice.
I was walkin' by the river
In the nowery month of May .;
for the tinman had made an excellent
bargain. in spite of Aunty LOUIS hag-
Cling, and he was in a singing mood
"Mr. Tinman, Mr.. Tinman!" sob
bed Moppet, banging on tin pan
with dimpled fists.
Twas there met sweet Ellen,
A-singin' by the way"
roared on the jolly tinman.
Clitter-clatter, clitter-clatter, rang
the iingling tinware; and all poor
little Moppet could do was to bang
and call, and bang and call-but no
body heard.
"whoal" called the tinmsn, after
It had seemed hours and hours to
Moppet, "whoa!" And the tincart
slowed up and stopped.
'Mr. Tinman, Mr.. Tinmsni" wall
ed Moppet. shaking the locked doors
mt. Tinnan, Mr.. Tinman!"
There was no answer.
One minute, two minutes, three
minutes. and still the minutes drag
ged.
Then suddenly there was the
sound of some one approaching. The
doors Of tie cart few open-into its
lusky darkness flashed the dazzling
sunshine, in rushed the sweet fresh
air, and q familiar voice said,-
Il want a quart cup and stew"
Granny Murry. Granny Murry,"
shrieked Moppet. A rush. a scurry,
and, if It hadn't been FOR the tinman,
SON eboiy would have had a had
fall; for there was sobbing Moppei
cliHsing to startled Granny's neck
MY child you scared me half oai
Of my witsi" gasped Granny when
the tinman had helped her 10 sit
down on the grassy bank with Mop
pet still IN her arms. 81 won't get
over thar In q year"
IN never. never never get over
it in all nay born days." sobbed Mop
pet.
But when she had had a bowl of
bread and milk and three seed