The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-05-27

street
mittcns when they went to school in winter No
bodys mother ever thought of anything else to
keep small hands warm Some mothers or grandnothers
crccheed them and knit them with fancy stitches
down the back, put other mark of distinction upon
them; but they were always mittens and were always
fastened to long ribbon or piece of braid or knitted
ren that they might not get lost one from the other
This connecng-lnk frequently gave rise to confusion
for when two little girls put their arms around each
others necks they walked school, they sometimes
got tangled up in the men string and had to duck and
turn and bump heads before the right string was again
resting the right shoulder But as was possible to
laugh great deal and lose cnes breath while this was
going on was rather advantage than otherwise and
little girls who special chus were pretty sure to
manage a tangie every other day at least
Clarabe Bradley did her tangng and untangling with
Josephine Brown who lived at the end Of Arty Street
They both went to thcsane school and were in the same
class They waited for each other in the morning and
came home together and shared each others candy ard
ginger cookies whenever there any, and took firm
sides together whenever the schoolyard was the scene
of dispute
But into this intimacy came pair Of gloves, almost
wreclng IL
The gloves were sent by Clarabels aunt who was
young and pretty and taught school in large city and
they came done up white tissue paperirlside box
with gilt trimming around the edges and picture on the
center Of the Taken of the paper they re-
vealed all their alluring qualities They were OF beau
tfu glossy brown kid with soft wooy Innings and real
fur around the wrists and they fastened with bright
glded clasps
With them was note which said:
For ciarabeL with love from, her Aunt Bessie. Not
to be Kept for Sundays but rOoyn every day.
And the last sentence was underscored
Clarabeps mother locked doubtful as she read the
message Such gloves were extravaganza even for
best-and mittens were warmer But when she en-
countered Carabes shining eyes she smiled and gave in
So Carabc took the gloves to her room that night,
and slept with them the footboard Of her bed where
she could them the first thing when she walked and
in the morning she put them and started for school
One hand was held rgidy by her side but the other
permitted to spread its fingers widely over the book
she carried Both well in view if she looked down
inst little Passersby might see; all Anity Street
might see; best Of all, Josephine might seei
But Josephine waiting at the corner behed and was
impressed to the point Of speechiessness Whereupon
Clarabel dropped her book, and had to pick Id with
both hands The furry wrists revealed themselves fully
Josephine found her voice
you've got some new gloves she said
"Yes. my Aunt Bessie sent then1.'
Aren't they pretty"
II think SO, and they're lots nicer than niittens I'm
not going to wear my niitters again Z K
Josephine looked down at her own chubby hands
Her mttens were red this winters with red and-grccn
fringe around the wrists Only that uornng she had
admired them Now they looked fat and clumsy and
altogether unattractiye but she wasn't going to admit
that to any one else.
II like mitteps hest, she said stoutIy for school,
anyway she added ard gave Claabel more of the side
walk
my Aunt Bessie said specially that these were to
wear to school, And CIarabcl walked nearer the fence
Josephine was hard put TO If C1arabefs manner had
become so superior.
II don't think your Aunt Bessie knows everything,
even II she does teach school in big city MY mother
says she's too young toz2
What she was too young 10 do was not allowed to
be explained for Carabe with color in her face that
rivalled Josephfne's mittens. had faced her.
My Aunt Bessie's lovely, and wont listen 70 an
other word against her, not another one-so there
Then she turned, with queer feeling N her throat
and ran down the street c catch up with another little
/ girl who was on ahead
Josephine swung her books end walked II she didn't
sare