The Washington times., 1914-03-23
TIMES BEDTIME STORY
The Old Rose Jar.

~ OROTHY BUTTON was angry.
Ordinarily she was q sweet
looking child. but today she va.
I In . bad humor. Most Of the
girls in the eighth grade were going to
have new dresses for Easter. but she
could not AFFORD It.
| I'VE never can afford anything" |"
snapped the girl as she threw her books
on the worn sofa in the corner. IT don't
| see why It Is that some have 50 much
and never have a thing At to wear"
Mrs. Burton looked up quickly from
the silk gown on which she was sewing.
Her thin hair was gray and her face
worn with work. and tears stood In the
blue eyes, but Dorothy was too pro-
voked to notice it. Her mother spent
her days and long evenings sewing that
the girl might go to school. but Dor
othy was selfish and took 1t as a matter
Of course. AL her mothers gentle kind
ness, her generosity in working and de-
nying herself SO that the girl might get
q good education were not thought of
by the spoilt child.
"AIl the girls are going to have new
white dresses for the lawn party" she
signed again, A light snow was fall
ing, though the trees had begun to bud.
The sky was dark and everything looked
gloomy.
Dorothy" said the mother. looking up
from her sewing. Il wish you would
search through that old Chinese chest
need bit more for this gown. and !
am sure dropped q yard Of IL In that
chest up in the attic when was up
there cleaning last week"
ret. Tho roof was low and she almost
bumped her head on the rafters. Two
tiny WINDOWS gave weak light All
around were broken bits Of furniture
summer clothing on nails. old beds. pic
lures and boxes Of different kinds. The
place was gloomy and musty-its very
smell seemed to be Of ancient things
laid away In lavender. Outside the
wind roared and the brances Of the
trees swept with q grinding movement
as II tho shadows were peopled with the
spirits Of dead days.
Sure enough. right in the camphor
chest was the bit Of fringe. but right
quaint. old pink rose Jar.
remember hearing uncle say that
this was from far back In China" she
said to herself, "and that II held magic
rose leaves leaves that put a spell on
So Dorothy took of tho top and put
the Jar to her nose.
Goodness. but it smells queer-liks
q Chinese laundry with punk burn
ing" she exclaimed. But II makes me
a bit sleepy; guess I will just take Q
nap on this old pillow for a WHILE"
But hardly had she laid her head on
the pillow when she felt a strange
sensation. as II she were floating in
the air. She was out Of doors. the sky
was dark, but the street lamps shone
brightly. Her BODY seemed to be pass
ing over the huses. and at last It ap-
peared to pause. before the window Of
a great mansion in the center of . big
park.
"Oh, this is Laura Ramsay's home"
whispered Dorothy in awe to herself
beautiful rooms and great halls" But
saw the figure of Mrs Ramsay clothed |
in mourning sitting weeping by the |
side Of an invalid child.
"Poof Laura" exclaimed Dorothy. IT
never thought You had q sorrow In |
your Nfe-I Imagined that your wealth |
brought You perfect happiness"
Before she knew a thing the girl |
felt herself looking into another win |
dow. This homo was richly furnished. I
too. but the girl sitting reading by the |
fire did not seem happy. The father |
and mother. fashionable folks. were |
out at a ball. and the daughter was !
alone, except for the servants, who |
were asleep.
$50 poor Bessie Ford has a mother
who loves society better than her /
fome," thought Dorothy But before
she had time to breathe again she was
peepinS in at another house 1t. too Il
was q mansion. but there was no hap