Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-03-18
Children's EDening St0rY

"Beckie," spoke Mrs. Stubtail, the
bear lady. one afternoon, as she $1,000
in the door of the cave house--"Beckle
do you think you can take care or your.
self, and Neddie too, until come back:
why, yes, mamma, ! think so,
spoke the little bear girl. Il will amuse
| Neddie all l can and let him take my
| best doll Ruth Esmerelda Potatopan'
cake, to play with
Huh! I don't want any dolls 10 play
with" said a sort of grumbling, growl'
! ing voice in one corner of the cave.
Pm not girl ;,
NO, | am sure you are not, Neddle,
said Mrs Stubtail, for it was Neddie
who had spoken. Il am afraid you are
, rather a cross little bear boy" the ma
/ ma bear went on. But it is because
you are i'll, am sure, that makes you
act that way. But I really must go
downtown shopping in the five and SIX
cent store, and | shall have to leave
you with Beckie until return
, I'll take care of Neddie, mamma,
the little bear girl said. for Neddie had
the sniffle-snuffles, because OF having
caught cold and he had to stay in the
, warm cave, and could not go out TO
play.
II don't need anybody to take care or
me" grumbled Neddie.
We'll, it is very good of Beckie to
offer" Mamma Stubtail said. land Won
should thank her for being SO kind to
you. But if he doesn't want you TO
amuse him Beckie you can play by
yourself until come back
"All right. mamma" spoke Beckie'
and then, as Mrs Stubtail went down
town shopping, the two bear cub emil
dren were left alone. for Uncle White
wash, the Polar bear gentleman, VINO
silent on a cake of ice, was calling on
Uncle Wiggily Longears, the rabbit
gentleman. who had learned a new
dance step, called the umbrella upset.
Uncle Wiggily was very fond OF dane
ing and of showing others new steps.
Recl1ie Stubtail played with her thlr-
teen dolls in the cave, for there was no
school that day, and when she had
sung to sleep the rag doll named Irene
Elizabeth Applepie, Beckie looked over
to where Neddie, her brother, sat, all
huoGled up in lump of brown fur.
Poor fellow" thought Beckie. Hes
cross and uncomfortable because he
has a cold. l wonder if | can't 90
something to make him feel more
jolly?"
Beckie thought of number of things
she might do, but she was afraid Ned
die would not like them for they were
all about dolls. and sewing dresses, and
play parties and things that only girls
care for.
And then, suddenly, Beckie thought
of something else.
n know what I'll do she said to
herself. I'll dress up in some Of ma
mas old clothes and I'll pretend I'm
lady come to call on Neddie. I'll talk
real grown-up and stylish-like and per
haps he'll laugh and forget his cold.
So I'D into the attic of the cave.
where Mrs Stubtail kept her old
dresses. went Beckie the little Dear
girl. She took from the hooks an old
bonnet. waist and skirt and put
them on, so that she looked just like
a little old bear lady going to market
to buy fat pig. or whatever bear lad
les do buy when they dress up.
"Now I'll make Neddie laugh.
thought Beckie, as she went down
stairs. Into the sitting room she walk
ed on her hind legs, and then Beckle
said out loud, pretending she was big
lady bear:
''Oh, how do you do? I hope you
are feeling we'll today! Isn't it wonder
full weather for this time of year? on,
yes, am quite well, thank you. on,
have you heard the news? Mrs. Wib.
blewobble, the duck lady, swallowed a
yellow tan shoe button in mistake for
a grain of corn the other, day and she
had to send for DR.. Possum! WASN'T
that terrible? Oh, mercy
Well Beckie went on talking a lot