Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-28
The -
{ Deadlock

~ S1>14~< A0
size seems 90 nttie to be sent to
scAno.," said Mrs. Richmond, looking
yearningly at her dsminutiye daugh-
ter; who was sssted IN corner OF the
liying room, dtsctplin1ng, with great
saxaastness and sternness, her large
family Of dolls
Il wouldn't send her, them" SAID
Richmond, easily. What difference
does It make whether she goes this
year or not?"
We'll, I don't want her to be be"
hind the children Of her own age,
said Mrs. Richmond, hesitatingly. But
she's such Tiny thing! / feel as IL 1t
would be deliberately giving my baby
over to the hands OF the destroyer"
You might teach her at home,
ventured Richmond.
His wife's face frightened. $50
might" she returned, land ! do be-
lieve I will" Then she looked dubious
for moment. but don't know what
to teach her."
Teach her her letters" said Rich
mond. THAT was good enough for
you and me, and I've heard lots or
people complain that their children
didn't know the alphabet"
81 believe I'll try" said Mrs. Rich
mond.
Accordingly the next morning she
cornered her eve lamb in the nur-
sery.
Now, Frances, darling" she said,
with the carefully assumed veneer OF
buoyancy in which she had seen
Undergraduates and other guardians OF
the infant intelligence enwrap them
selves as with a garment, you and
are going to have dear little school
right here IN the nursery"
II would rather remarked the pros
pective pupil reffectively, have big
apple and piece OF candy"
We'll, may be We'll have those, too"
agreed the embryotic instructress,
but not until after we've had our
lesson"
Whats q lesson?" inquired the
pupil.
"Its-let's see. It's to teach you
your letters, 30 you can read lovely
stories out Of books"
Frances pondered this for a mo-
mont. But I'd rather have you read
them to me-" said said, after proper
reflection.
But you can't always have me TO-
do that, DEAR" said Mrs. Richmond
firmly. She drew Frances into her lap
and opened the book with which she
had decided to begin the fray. "All
the little girls learn to read and
mother would be terribly ashamed If
her little girl didn't. Now. look at
this funny. letter with the two legs and
the piece across the middle like a
queer little ladder. What do you think
that letter is?"
Il never saw It before" said Fran
css. 80 I guess don't care about It's
name
well, that letter is named A." said
Mrs.. Richmond. Now, here's one
with two funny little TAT balloons
stuck on a stick. The name OF that
one is B."
"Is IT," Frances inquired with per-
functory politness. ri guess I don't
like to read very WE'LL" she explained
coarteously, as she made tentative
effort to get down from her mothers
lap.
But you'll have TO learn, dearie,"
said Mrs. Richmond patiently. Now.
tell mother what this letter with the
two legs IT,"
Frances put fst forehnger on the
latter.
Well call that B." she said sweet
". Nov. can I go, muvver?"
mo, lambkin," said her mother
firmly. That's A. See how funny 1t
looks with the two slanting legs and
the little piece between them. Now,
what's its name?"
Frances heaved a deep sigh. i
guess we'll call 1t B." she said. with
gentle firmness.
"But it's A, precious" insisted her
mother.
rs it," inquired Frances. Il think
I'll call it B."
Now, Frances" said her mother
sternly, you know that letter is 4.
and you must say it,
There was no reply. Frances was
observing a sparrow shaking itself on
the window ledge.
Frances" her mother said, tell
mother what that letter it,
"Oh, mother" Frances cried Joyous
ly, did you see that sparrow picking
his tooth with it's feather"
Mrs. Richmond set her small daugh-
ter down on the floor. Now. Fran
ces," she said, tell me the name Of
that letter or I'll put you to bed"
frances looked up at the ceiling
and crossed her fat hands on her lit
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