Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-30
Marcia NJ atilda 5
Sky Blue Dress

della Susanna Bibbs had splashed a
lot of mud spatters on her dress that
had once been pink, but was now 50
faded that it seemed almost colorless,
and Commodore Perry Bibbs had a
look about the whites of his eyes that
plainly showed an intention on the
part of that small black boy to crawl
through the broken fence and run
away at the first opportunity. So
Marcia Matilda Bibbs had much to
worry her that day. For Marcia Ma
tilda was the oldest Of the Bibbs brood
though she was only twelve and hall
and all the care of the younger Bibbses
fell upon her on the days when the
mother of the family was away wash
ing for some of the people who lived
over on the other side OF the railroad
track, where the houses were larger
and had trim green lawns about them.
"Wisht we had lawns and things
over on this side,' sighed Marcia Ma
tilda, as she ran out to the broken
fence for the sixth time that morning
to lead Commodore Perry away from
temptation "Chillun can't keep de-
cent no-way, in nothin' but an ole dirt
ward like this-a one. Eliza Aurelia, L
think you might play ball or somethin'
with little Com and keep him from run
ming Off"
Il ain goin to do it," snapped Eliza
Aurelia.
well if he gets out and gets mashed
under somebody's automobeel, it'll be
as much your fault as mine,' said Mar
cia Matilda, reprovingly.
Nobody ain goin' run no automo-
beel oveh him." muttered Eliza Aurelia
sulkily.
Marcia Mat, I want some rags to
make sof' bed fob my sick kitten,
demanded Fidelia Susanna.
Think you might put another rag
On my toe first whined George Ran
lolph, limping about the yard with
mere contortions in his limps than
Daddy Green ever put into his when he
nad to have his whole foot amputated.
"I'll suah go crazy fob night time
comes. with all you chilluns' pesterin,'
;ighed Marcia Matilda, tempted to give
George box On the ears, and to fling
he scrawny kitten clear into the mid
lie of the empty weed lot across the
street. There was something "jes'
working around in her
light arm. Seems like I mus be
linsin' somethin' or rappin' somethin,
he was saying to herself as she snap
,ishly tore off an old blue calico band
Ige for the ailing toe. II is jes' get
in clean - punctuhed, is"
A sudden remembrance of pop like
gun shot and flattened automobile
ire in front of the Bibbs home, and
he call of a laughing young girl in the
auto to passing friend that they were
'flattened out with puncture," led
Marcia Matilda to apply the word to
her own condition.
Then somehow the thought Of the
laughing young lady, who looked like
the people who lived on the other side
Of the track in the lawn houses"
brought to Marcia Matilda tremen.
dous yearning to get right into the
middle of soft, green grass plot and
Just stand and stand and stand there,
with her feet buried in the softness
Seems like jes mus" she said |
over and over to herself. "1's notion
to run off an jes' do it. an let these
chilluns take care of themselves. But
I reckon I better not why, suah! l
can do that" as another thought fash.
ed through her mind Thoughts we're |
Just fiocking to Marcia Matilda that
day.
"You chilluns want to take walk
with me-" she asked, in very matter
of fact, sober way, few minutes later.
DON want no walk" snapped Eliza
Auerelia.
How come you say walk when
got a mashed toe?'' whined George
Randolph.
Where you goin'?" asked F1delia
Susanna.
Going to grass!" replied Marcia Ma
tilda, with a CLEAN in her eyes.
'I'll co. announced Fidelia Susan
ma, picking up her scrawny kitten.
Come on, them" said Marcia Matil
da, grasping Commodore Perry's black
dirty little fist.
81 ain goin' stay alone with that
cross patch" blurted out George Ran
dolph, with a scornful look at the sulk-
ly Eliza Aurelia. And once on his feet
he found walking easier than he had
it would be.
Marcia Matilda led the way through
the rickety gate and over to State
Street; and three blocks further on
the procession came to little church,
on one side Of which was one Of the
neatest, softest, greenest little lawns
in the city.
Knew she's tag along" said Marcia
Matilda, looking back to see Eliza Aur-
ella coming slowly, half block away.
the fore|hngers of both hands In her
mouth.
And two minutes later five pairs Of
small black feet were buried in the
soft, velvety grass Of the church |
lawn, and soon the five children of
Mrs. Bibbs, the colored washer
woman, were all Of them as happy as
if they had suddenly become real
princes and princesses.
Somehow the soft touch Of the grass
was as a healing touch to George
bruised toe; and it took
he kinks" all out Of Eliza Aurelia's
disposition, though it had not the