Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-23
NAUGHTY LUCY.

came to see her she should joyfully
have given them her toys to play
with, but such was not the case. She
was bit selfish, and not only wanted
her company's playthings, but her
own as well.
One day Bertha and Flossie Grey
came to visit Lucy, and brought with
them their dolls and little chairs.
Also Bertha brought her dolls little
go-cart, with Dollie sitting so comfy
in it. Flossie carried her dollie, for
she had not been we'll, and the little
mamma was afraid to let her out of
her arms.
AS soon as they reached Lucy's
house they said to her: Lets play
in the back yard under the big tree.
Lucy" But Lucy, not liking to have
any one make suggestion to her,
at once said: 'tNo, let's play in the
carriage she'd"
SO, not wishing to be disagreeable,
Bertha and Flossie went with Lucy
to the carriage shed, and carried
along their dolls and other playthings.
But it was cold and gloomy in the
shed, and the huge carriage-with Its
great black cover-tooR up nearly all
the floor space, causing the little girls
to crowd themselves into corner
where the wind came in disagreeable
gusts from. the big open door.
81 want to play with your doll and
go-cart,' said Lucy, speaking to Ber-
tina. "And I want Flossie's chair"
Bertha and Flossie gave up the
playthings desired by Lucy, but Ber-
tina asked to be allowed to play with
Lucy's big doll. "Oh, mol" crie1
Lucy. "You might spoil her dress or
muss her hair. No, l won't allow
any one but myself to play with my
dollie." .s
But you are playing with nine"
protested Bertha. 81 am not afraid
to let you handle my dollie, and Flos-
sic isn't afraid to let you have he.
chair. If we give our playthings to
you, Lucy, you should allow us your
playthings in return"
"No, won't" said Lucy. "My play.
things belong to just me, and l won't
let others play with them" And she
pouted disagreeably.
"Well, give back my dollie to me,
and Flossie's chair to her." said Ber-
cha. "If we can't have your things
you should not want ours. 1t isn't
Lair of you, Lucy"
Lucy began to cry, and declared
Der friends were very unkind to her.
Shereupon Bertha and Flossie tried
,ersuading her. saying she might have
their things If she would not feel ag-
rrieved. But she kept on crying, and
She more she was coaxed the more she
acted naughty.
4 At last Bertha and Flossie decided
to go home, and gathering up thel-
playthings, made ready to start. Lucy,
really wanting them to stay, began
crying all the more, saying: ooh.
you are bad girls, and I won't like
you If you run home this way, so !
won't"
'sBut you do not treat us nicely
protested Flossie. mo, you do not
want to play fair" said Bertha. 1--WE
like to play with little girls who play
fair, and who do not quarrel or cry
Well just run away, and maybe &c
ways SO glad to have us play with
her; and she never refused to give
us her playthings when we are visit
ing her"
Lucy was too stubborn just then
to say she was sorry for her naughty
conduct, and sat pouting while Bertha
and Flossie went out of the carriage
shed and Oft toward Laura's home
But the moment her company had
gone Lucy ran into the house and
begged her mother to allow her tC
go to play for an hour with Tommy
and Myrtle Brown.
But aren't Bertha and Flossie Wis
iting you?" asked Lucy's mamma
Then, little at time Lucy's nam
ma drew from her the cause of Der
tha's and Flossie's short stay, and
taking her little grille on her knee
she explained how selfish children
never have any friends, and how un.
happy their unfriendly conduct toward
others made not only themselves, but
those most nearly concerned. "a
selfish girl or boy" said Lucy's nam
ma, cannot live successful life, for
she or he thinks only Of herself or
himself, and never tries to make 9th.
ers happy. Now, don't you think you
would be much happier had you been
nice toward Bertha and Flossie and
allowed them to play with your dollie
and other toys? They would give you
anything of theirs to enjoy, and you
should treat them just as you wish to be
treated by them. Now, dear, run after
Bertha and Flossie and tell them you
are sorry for having been selfish and
naughty and ask them to forgive you
and to return for tea"
Lucy jumped off her mothers knee
and ran in pursuit of Bertha and Flos.
sic. The little girls had just reached
the gate of Laura SHELLS home, but
paused in response to Lucy's call:
ooh, Bertha and Flossie, forgive me
for having acted SO naughty while
ago. I'm awfully sorry was so sci.
fish, and I don't blame you for leav.
ing me as you did. Mamma has toll!
me how unhappy all selfish children
are, and know my being selfish was
why I was not happy this afternoon
while you were with me. Can you
forgive me? And will you come back
to my house? Well play just where.
ever you like and you may have any
Of my playthings you want. I'll be SO
happy if you'll come-and forgive
me-"
"Of course, We'll forgive you,
Lucy" cried Bertha and Flossie to.
gether, and. arms about each other