Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-05-04
Miss Neatie
And Johnnie

There was once a lady who had
spick and span and spotless house in
the country, and she spent all her
time in keeping it in order. For"
said she, IF did not spend all my
time in keeping it in order it would
be neither spick, nor span, nor spot
less"
Some people wondered how she
found so much to do in one small
house, but she told them that if ever
she got through with her work she
could always begin over again, so
she had given up hoping to see the
day when she could rest. This logic
usually convinced people.
"Besides," she said, there are very
many things I wish to do about the
house when 1 get chance. There
are lot of things that ought to be
attended to-"
Then the visitors would open their
eyes wide and look around at all the
spickness and spanness and spotless-
ness and say: please excuse US,
Miss Neate, but what ought to be at
tended to in this irreproachably spick
and span and spotless place."
"Why," said Miss Neatie, did you
see the pebble path leading to my
door,"
"Why, yes" said one of the visitors
IT don't remember it, but must have
seen it or should not have walked
upon it. l never walk upon things l
do not see."
81 am glad you did not notice It,"
said Miss Neatie. 1T is not credit
to my housekeeping"
what is the matter with the peb'
BILE PATH" asked the visitor.
1T has never been washed" said
Miss Neatie. 'When get time l
shall pick up the pebbles, bring them
indoors and wash them with soap in
a tub. Then I shall carry them out
again, replace them on the path and
feel that it is in order. I should like
to let each pebble have it's own indi-
vidual place-it seems to me the
proper idea in a really we'll ordered
path-but I fear that is an ambition
I shall never accomplish. But you
can understand that the work before
me is limitless.'
When the visitors had gone Miss
Neate sat down to open letter she
had received that morning and which
she had not yet had time to look at.
| This is what she read:
Dear Sister: John and I are 60
ing away for some months. May we
ask you to take care of little Johnnie
for us until we return. He is such a
darling we are sure it will be great
pleasure to you"
Now, Miss Neate was not nearly as
much upset by this news as you
might suspect. In fact, she was ra'
Their pleased at the idea of having a
little boy in the house, whom she
could keep spick, and span, and spot
less, so that he would be model to
all the other little boys in the neigh.
borhood.
| When Johnnie arrived he seemed
like a very nice little boy, but Miss
Neate thought his appearance could
be much improved. The first day he
spent with her she dressed him in
white, brushed his hair. and sent him
out to play with the other little boys
1t was quite a shock to Miss Neate
when he came back. His whiteness
was no longer white and his hair was
no longer brushed. And it was that
way all the time, until Miss Neate
felt quite discouraged.
Johnnie" she said, "why don't you
brush your hair once in while?"
"Why, Aunt Jane" exclaimed John
| ME, in surprise, 81 haven't time
I have SO many other things to do"
What do you have to do?" she ask
ed.
ooh, play leap frog and all sorts of
things like that"
"You don't need to do those
things" sighed Miss Neate
But they're fun" protested her
nephew. "Why, don't don't you ever
have any fun?"
why" exclaimed Aunt Jane, ~
haven't time. have so many other
things to do"
What do you have to do?" he ask
ed.
ooh, polish the silver and dust the
rooms and all sort of things like
that"
You don't need to do those thing
said Johnnie, mot all the time. any
how. And, they're not any fun"
ooh, but what would happen if I
didn't"
81 don't know" said Johnny: "but
let's find out! Suppose you take
me to the circus this afternoon"
And after little more arguing.
Miss Neate actually agreed. They had
a wonderful time at the circus, and
when they returned the house looked
just as well as ever-at least Johnny
said so. And Miss Neate from that
day began to enjoy herself and took
a holiday every once in a while, so
that she never was able to wash the
pebbles in the front path after all.
England and Germany enjoy reputa
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