The Washington herald., 1912-02-27
1,,,I. Girl. of DI.content.

Martha had been a very happy, con-
tented little girl until Mary came to live
in the big house across the way. The
big house had been empty a very long
time, and, having no other little girls
In the neighborhood, Martha had played
with her three brothers part Of the day
ara helped her mother about the house
the other part. for the Maynards had
Just enough money to run the little cot
age and none at all to spare.
In Mary wayne's home things were
quite different. for there was more money
to run the big house than any one needed
The two little girls played very happily
together for some time, but after little
Martha began to wish sne lived in big
house, and had lovely little frocks. and
dolls as big as herself like Mary had.
ana all the while the little cottage seem
ed SO homely to Mary, the brothers OF
Martha were such a Jolly lot, and 1t
seemed to the rich little girl that II
would be Just the grandest thing In the
world to eat her lunch with three frolick-
some boys on an oilcloth covered table
right in the kitchen, where she could
smell the aroma OF delicious hot rolls
coming right out Of the oven. She had
never seen her own mother bake, and
big Wayne kitchen, where japanese
chef prepared the meals,
Down in the heart of each little girl
grew a spirit of deep discomfort. Tor
each thought that the other had all OF
life's blessings
The mothers of the little girls saw
what was going on and were troubled.
How They Cured Discomfort.
So one fine day they put their heads
together and formed a wonderful plan.
That afternoon Mary's mother told her
that she and Mrs. Maynard had decided
to trade little girls. Since she thought
that Martha had so much nicer times
than she had herself il had been decided
that she could go and live in the May
aard cottage while Martha came over to
the big house to be her little girl.
The children were given no time to
talk the matter over, for Mrs. Maynard
came right over with Martha, and the
Wayne maid escorted Mary over TO the
little cottage, while the little girls them
selves looked on dubious and amazed.
Things went on pretty well until the
great dark swooped down over the earth,
and il became bedtime for each little
maid.
Martha's tiny room wondering who would
come to comb her hair. Presently Fred
Maynard popped his head in at the door
and asked il she was ready.
Ready for what2" questioned Mary
very much surprised
why" said Fred, Il always comb
, Martha's hair at night. Mother hasn't
time, you. know" I~
Since she was TO be Martha now.s Mary
, submitted, and Fred combed and pulled
until Che little girl cried.
: She wished very much for her maid s
gentle hands, for her own frilly little
nIghtgown, and when Mrs. Maynard
finally came up (as she always did to
hear Martha say her prayers) she found
Mary sobbing into her pillow.
Found No Place Like Home.
In the big house across the way Martha
submitted TO the ministrations of Mary's
maid, so unfamiliar TO her. She missed
the night romp with her brothers, and
when she was all ready for bed she
sobbed through her prayers alone
She had had no appetite for dinner in
b the big dining-room, and how she longed
now for a bowl Of sweet bread and milk
and her mothers clean kitchen.
She climbed into bed and lay very STILL
following in her mind the doings in the
little cottage and choking back the Jumps
that kept rising to her throat.
An hour later two little figures met in
the middle OF the street and passed each
other hurriedly.
20 Mumsy. l don't want TO be traded
to Mrs Wayne" sobbed Martha when