The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-12-30
BEDTIME STORIES
FOR LITTLE
FOLKS
BABY BUNTIN'.

ierine, used to sing TO her:
My little Baby Buntin,
Your fathers gone a-huntin
To get a little rabbit skin
To wrap my Baby Buntin' in"
Her grandmother had taught it TO
her, and when Santa Claus brought
this baby doll Catherine at once
thought of the name Baby Buntin'
Baby Buntin' was undressed and
put to bed like any live baby, and
dressed each morning with great care.
Then Catherine would put her in
her carriage and wheel her through
the park.
When Catherine went away for the
summer to visit her grandmother in
the country, Baby Buntin's clothes
were packed in the trunk with Cath
crimes, and Baby Buntin was carried
all the way in her little mothers
arms.
But terrible fate befell Baby Bun
tin while she was visiting at the
farm, which nearly broke the heart
Of her little mother.
GATHERINGS grandmother had dog
named Ned; he was good dog, eX-
cepting one fault
If he found anything lying around
the yard, and he could manage to
carry it. or even drag it, he would
take it to the woods and bury it.
One day Catherine had been having
picnic for her dolls under tree
near the house. Ned had been a very
appreciative guest, as he was given
all the crackers and candy that were
left by the other guests.
After the picnic was over, Gather
inc carried her dolls and dishes into
the house all but Baby Buntin'. Sine
was left sitting under the tree, be
cause Catherine intended to take her
in the hammock with her.
But no sooner was Catherine Out of
sight than Ned took Baby Buntin' in his
mouth and ran toward the woods.
Catherin came back jus, in time TO
see him disappearing, although she
had no idea that he had Ter precious
Baby BuntiD in his mou,h until she
reached the tree and found her gone.
Catherine ran after Ned, calling for
him to stop, but Ned Only ran faster.
and poor Catherine had TO return for
help, crying as if her heart would
break.
Her grandfather told her he would |
90 with her, and on the way to the |
woods he tried to comfort her by say
ing, You shall have another doll |
nicer than Baby Buntin' if Ned spoils
her.
But there is no nicer doll than
Baby Buntin'," sobbed Catherine; she !
S the incest doll in the whole world,
ana her grandfather, never having
)een a little girl, did not understand
such reasoning.
When they came to the woods her
grandfather whistled for Ned, and in
| few minutes he came bounding to-
ward them.
Where is ito" she asked Ned. Ned :
Jagged his tail and went back
Trough the woods. Catherine and her
following him.
When Ned came to a place where
lie had been digging he stopped, and
here, with her head and one arm
howing was Baby Buntin'.
Ned had not dug the hole over deep.
nd she was not covered. Catherine
rescued her, and, although
he was covered with dirt, Catherine
ugged her close in her arms.
Baby Buntin's face was scratched
nd her clothes torn by the bushes
Fhere Ned had carried her, and one
rm was nearly off, too.
HE almost killed You" said Cath
rine as she took eff the torn clofhcs
nd washed away tho dir, from herr
title face
But love you just the same il
our face is scratched" she said.
But the torn arm brought forth
resi- tears from Catherine, for her
Grandmother had to sew the arm and
atherine was sure it must hurt Baby
untin'.
She held her hand all the time her |
was sewing and told i
ably Buntin to be brave and not cry. i
Although Baby Buntin never looked | 4
le same after her adventure, to
atherine she was the same Baby
lntin' and her little mother sleart