The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-03-15
rHE TIME WHEN TOPSY sTAYED


THE TIME WHEN TOPSY STAYED.
Little Myrtle was having hard
time, she thought. Anyway she
wasn't happy, for who could be feel
ing NICE" she said to her mother.
when folks had to stay in the house
just because it was all wetty out
doors, and the wind was a-blowing."
And mother answered, Why, DEAR
you've got SO many nice dolls and
other playthings, should think that
any child with all that you have could
be happy
well, / can't" pouted Myrtle. IF
only Dorothy would come or wasn't
SO tired of everything, l might"
There's Topsy," said mother,
looking out of the window, she's
bringing back the waists that her
mother has been laundering. Go to
the door, dear, and tell her to come
in and get warm
"Topsy," said mother, as the little
black girl was standing before the
fire, ''do you think you could be hap
by to have to stay in this room for
one afternoon, and play with eleven
dolls, doll-bed. buggy, dishes, and
ever so many other toys?"
Topsy showed her white teeth.
"Yes'm, I'd like it mighty we'll, she
laughed.
"But you'd get so tired you
wouldn't know what to do next" said
Myrtle.
Il could make big, big house
with those blocks, and put nice big
chimney (she called it chimbley) in
it with my spools-"
"Oh, could you?" cried Myrtle, de-
lightedly. well, I'll get some spools
Ia whole lot of them and you shall
show me how to make an old-fash-
toned chimney"
Myrtle's mother smiled her assent,
so they set to work. They made the
house on plan that Myrtle had never
thought Of Then Topsy showed her
how she had made the chimney in
her house, although her blocks were
those she got from the men who were
building across the street.
When they had the chimney up,
Topsy laid some toothpicks on the
hearth, then she set the dolls cradle
near ito keep warm!" she said.
They set the toy piano across one
corner. Then Topsy thought OF
something else nice; and, with much
laughter, they made lady of spo0ls
to sit on the piano stool, because, as
Topsy said, the spool-lady would sit
up straight and the doll-lady would
fall off.
They set out the table and got out
the dishes. Then Topsy spied piece
of old linen from which Myrtle's
mother was cutting some cup-towels.
and she said to Myrtle, IF your
mother will let us have the colored
border wen cut out the birds in it
and make something pretty"
OF course mother was glad to let
them have the pieces. Then she gave
each of the little girls pair of scis-
sors, and they set to work to cut out
small, round pieces-each piece had
red bird in it. These were used as
doilies to put under plates and sauc-
ers. They nearly covered the whole
table with these doilies, and even
placed some on the dresser in the
dolls bedroom, and finally they made
a scarf for the little rocking chair.
pulling out threads to make fringe.
Mother, mother, just look!
never did have such pretty house
before" cried Myrtle, gleefully.
81 think you'll have to thank Top
sy for giving you some new ideas, =
laughed mother; 'but now it is dark
almost, and / shall have to send Top
sy home as soon as can get piece
of cake and an apple for her."
And I'll give her one of my dolls, f"
said Myrtle, generously.
And, after Topsy was gone, Myrtle
said, why, mother, could have had
a good time before if I'd just have
made myself do things whether ]
wanted to or not. Mary Spaulding
Hatch, in the United Presbyterian.