Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-06-11

Tag: you're It," Polly cried as she
touched the widows auburn haired off
spring on the sleeve There was much
wallinc when Willie passed the tag To
little Jennie, the smallest girl in the
crowd.
Il won't play no more" she sobbed
"cnuse Is always IT,"
To comfort her Polly began to sing
an old circus song that the children
had learned To love, and the little ones
huddlcd about her IN a circle to hear
of the wonderful ivan Amberg" who
used To- walk right into the lions cage
and put his head In the lions mouth"
The children were in state Of nerves
that did credit To Polly rs an enter
tainer when IIasty broke In upon the
song
when yo' get minute l want ter
tell yo' somethin."
Il have one right now" And. turn
ing to the eager mites at her side. Pol
" told them TO run along into the
grove and that she'd come pretty soon
to teach them new game.
The youngsters went screaming and
laughing on their way. and she breath
ell n sigh Of relief MS she threw herself
down on the rustic seat that encircled
the elm tree.
What is 1t. Hasty?" she asked, sus-
pecting that he was in trouble with
Mandy.
ITS bout de circus" Hasty inform
ed her bluntly.
1.-THE circus" She rose and crossed
to him quickly.
Its in Wakefleld-an' mex month
It's a-comin' here"
Here" Polly gaspcd.
Il thought yod want ter know"
said IIasty. n little surprised ut her
lack OF enthusiasm
Yes. Of course" She turned away
and pretended to look at the flowers
Don yousc tell Mandy I been talkin'
bout dat circus" said TASTY uneasily.
He was beginning to fear That he had
made mistake. but before Polly could
answer Mandy came out Of the house.
| carrying baskets Of food, which Has
/ ty was to take to the Sunday school
, room. She looked at the girls trou
bled face and dropping shoulders in
| surprise
What make yo' look SO serious,
honey"
Just thinking" said Polly absently.
'My. Don yo' look fine In your new
dress" She was anxious to draw the
girl out Of her reverie
do you like IT." Polly asked ca
| gerly. forgetting her depression Of a
moment before. do you think Mr..
| John will like IT,
"Massa John: Mercy me, He neb-
Der takes no notice Oh dem t'ings.
done got Il bran, spankin' new ALA
paca one time. an do you think he
ebber seed 1t? I.awsy. no. We might
1cs' well be poin' roun' like Mudder
Eve for all dat man know" Polly
looked disappointed. But udder folks
secs" Mandy continued cOmfortingly
AN yo' certainly look mighty fine.
Why. youse just as good now as yo'
was afore yo' got hurted"'
Yes. I'm we'll now and able to work
again" There was no enthusiasm In
her tone. for IIasty's news had made
her realize how unwelcomc the old life
would be TO her.
Work. Yo' does work all de time
My stars. de help yo' Is to Massa
John"
"Do you think so? DO l help him?
DO II"
OF course yo' does. Yo' tells him
things to do In Sunday school what the
chllun like. an yo' learns him to
laugh an 10y himself an lot Of
t'incs what nobody else could a-learned
I'm"
"YOu mustn't say learned him.
Polly corrected. You must say taught
him. You can't learn anybody any
thing. You cnn only teach them"
"Lordy sakes. | didn't know dat"
She rolled her large eyes ut her young
instructress and saw that Polly looked
very serious. shes gwinc ter have
anudder one dem 'ticlar spells.
thought Mandy, and size made ready to
protest.
"See here, amt you nebber"-
She was interrupted by quick
"Have you never" from Polly.
1T done make no difference what yo'
say" Mandy snapped. 80 long as
folks understands yO'." She always
grew FESTIVE under these ordeals, but
POlly's firm controlled manner gener
ally conquered.
"Oh. yes, 1t does" answered Polly
IL used to think 1t didn't. but 1t does
You have to say things In certain
way or folks look down on you"
as satisfied de way l be-" declared
Mandy as she pumped herself down
on the garden bench and began tc
, fidget with resentment
The way l am" Polly persisted
sweetly.
| "See here. chile. Is dat why 20
| been a-settin' up nights an keepin' d.
light BURNING"
You mustn't say 'settin' up Yor
: must say sitting up Hens set
80 do l." interrupted Mandy. "I's
+ dom 1t now" For a time she pre-
served an injured silence. then turned
n upon Polly vehemently. III l had t.
|. think OBJ all dat ERE foolishness eber
q time l open my mouth, I'd done beer
Y tongue tied afore 1 was born"
+ Il could teach you in no time" vol
unteered Polly eagerly.
!. II don't want ter be teached." pre-
tested Mandy doggedly. "Hasty Jone
!. says rs too smart anyhow. Men don
like women KNOWN too much;
skeers 'em. Is good enough for m
old man, an l ain't a-tryin' ter &c
nobody else's," Mandy wound up fatty
But he'd like you all the better.
persisted Polly. laughing.
81 don't want to be liked no bette
by no niger" snapped Mandy. az
busy woman, Is" She made 70
the house: then curiosity conquere
her. and she came back to Polly's sid,
'See here, honey. whose been rarnii
20 all dem nonsenseT