Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-07-08
LITTLE BEsSIE's WISH.

LITTLE BESSIE'S WISH.
Bessie and Billie were awfully lone
ly. Their mamma had gone from
home the day before and left them in
charge of very aged aunt. And
this aged aunt-by name, Aunt Mar
tina would not allow Bessie and
Billie to make any noise while at
play. for she said "children's noises,
cats lighting and dogs barking drove
her clean distracted" So, you will
readily understand that Bessie and
Billie could not enjoy their play very
much while their mamma was away.
we can play in the attic" whis-
pered Bessie to Billie, as they sat
very quietly in the sitting room after
breakfast. Aunt Martha was sitting
there also. darning very long and
very heavy wooden stocking. IF we
want to play ghost or fairy up there
Aunt Martha can't hear u.s."
What are you whispering about?"
asked Aunt Martha. turning her
sharp eyes toward the corner where
the six-year-old niece and eight-year-
old nephew sat like tortured little
mice. fearing to move lest the old cat
might gobble them up. What are
you whispering about? Can't you
speak aloud? Nobody is going to eat
you! Come. who was doing the whis-
pering? I dislike to hear whispers:
they tickle my ears like a feather
wigging about in them. One only
hears sounds and can't make out the
words"
II whispered to brother that we
might play in the attic" confessed
Bessie. We won't bother you, Aunt
Martha. II we're up there"
But it's as cold as the North Pole
up there. child" said Aunt Martha.
However. smile Of agreableness
played about the sharp corners of
her mouth as she said this, for the
truth Is she thought 1t a good idea
for "the vexatious youngsters" to play
somewhere q long way from her. She
had not been q child for sixty years,
and had forgotten all about their
needs and desires. But, II you want
to play there for half an hour. why,
go up and do 50. But mind, no tum-
bling down on the floor, or shrieking,
or laughing too loudly"
"Td like to stay till mamma comes
home" whispered Billie to Bessie, as
they crept along the hall toward the
stair. And up the steps they went
like little culprits. fearing lest their
tiny feet might make a noise to dis
turb the aged aunt below stairs, who
was communing thus to her stocking:
Children are dreadful bother. /
am thankful don't have to put up
with 'em very much longer. Their
mother ought to be home some time
tomorrow. And she. silly woman,
thinks those two noisy, bad-man-
nered little brats are angels. II they
run and scream like wild Indians,
she laughs and says: Bless my
babies! Just see how happy they are.
Babies! Ugh, six and eighth Ought
to be put at books and work every
hour of the day. They fool away val
liable time playing with toys and
reading foolish fairy tales. So few
people know how to raise children.
Hard as it would be. I'd like to take
those two children in hand and show
their parents what might be made of
them"
Meanwhile. Bessie and Billie had
reached the attic, closed the door to
keep inside all their noise, and opened
their mouths and cried, "Goody.
goody! It's so nice to get away from
Aunt Martial"
what shall we play?" asked Bill
lie. shall We play ghost?"
ugh, no! It's so scary, brother.
The attic is so dark and I'd get 80
frightened I'd hide and cry. Let's
play fairy
"All right, sister. let's play fairy.
Who'll be the fairy-you or -"
you be the fairy. brother. and
play at I'm a little girl what's lost in
the big forest, and, and at I'm crying
for my mamma"
AL right" said Billie, "1'll play
that I'm in q tree and wien you come
along under it I look down and see
you crying, and I'll ask you, What's
the matter, little girl?' and you must
say, oh, I'm lost in the forest. and
can't find my mamma. And the bears
are about, and a big snake is under
the boulders, and I don't know where
to 60. Oh. please. good fairy, help
me-" .'-'..'+
"Oh, that will be such great fun"
cried Bessie, clapping her hands.
"And now, let's begin"
Bessie walked along beside the box,
dropped down upon the floor, and be-
gan her pretense of crying. "Ah, lit
tie girl, what is the natter" asked
Billie. Car do anything for you?"
"Yes, good fairy, I'm lost in the