Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-15
What Kitty Found
In The Drawer
KATE RANDLE MENEFEE.

v oIlululhSI piyoIi u No"h l.
the old mahogany secretary and turned
the key. Then, pulling cut the first long
drawer, he placed his hand far back
into its recesses and drew out the roll
top desk.
Kitty, his little granddaughter, peep
ed around the do~or-facing, and, seeing
that he was occupied, she tiptoed soft
ly into the room. If there was anything
Kittv liked, it was to be allowed to
view the contents of Grandfather Bry-
ants secretary. In it were portraits or
gentlemen with ribbon-tied hair, ladies
with powdered curls, queer jewelry, and
bundles upon bundles of letters yellow
ed with age.
AS Kitty made her way on into the
room she was wondering if her grand
father could have forgotten that this
was her birthday, or his promise to let
her nave a peep into one Of the secret
drawers when that important day
should have arrived. He was busy. 1T
seemed, so, Of course, she would not
bother him; but she would just take
another look at the mysterious drawer
and try to imagine what she would see
when it was opened. How she did hope
grandfather would remember.
At last she was so near to Grand
father Bryant that she could place her
hand upon his shoulder, but still she
did not turn to look at her. Kitty Won
dered how grown-up people could be
SO absorbed in old yellow letters that
they could forget ones birthday. But
what was this-there was grandfther's
hand approaching the little secret
had turned a funny little knob. First 1t
went back, then forward, then back
again, then all the way round, then
but there the drawer was open! Grand
father was smiling back at her, and
must nave heard her all the time.
ooh, grandfather, it's my birthday,
you know" she cried, leaning over
him and placing an arm about his neck.
Eyes, sir. that's a fact" acknowledge
ed Grandfather Bryant. mf
"And-please, sir. you know what
you promised" stammered the blush
Lets see." said grandfather, you
were to look into a certain drawer, l
believe" ~.
"Oh, yes. sir, that was it," cried the
delighted Kitty.
"Then, as this is the important day.
perhaps you will look, Miss Kitty Bry-
ant-that is, If o care to-"
"Oh, grandfather, If I care to!' ex-
claimed Kitty, so excited h did not
see the merry twinkle in her ~grandfath-
er's eye
Kitty had been eager to look, and yet
now that the time had come, she found
1t had been lovely to have the surprise
to look forward to-but she must look,
and look she did. There in the little
drawer she saw a little green
satin teakettle. it's little brass handle
curving over it's top, and its spout
pointing right up at Kitty. On its satin
sides were delicate little pink blossoms,
and it was indeed a very pretty little
teakettle. !.
Take it up in your hands," prompt
ed Grandfather Bryant, and Kitty care
fully withdrew the kettle from it's hid
ing place.
why. why" she cried. 1.-The top can
be taken Off" sa HAS,.
yes agreed grandfather, you may
it Off"
on came the little top, and from
a sound Of a little "tick-a-tock,
ick-a-tock," greeted the little girl.
ooh, grandfather Kitty cried, plac-
ing her yes nearer to the open top,
there's a little watch inside.!!"
well, we'll, unused grandfather, TAX
ing a peep, land SO there IT,"
out. 1t was an old-fashioned, key-wind-
ing one. decorated with blue enamel.
The key was tied to the gold ring in the
Of the watch, and on the inside OF
the Ease were the letters TX. B."
1T must have been grandmother's;"
Kitty exclaimed. 1T must have been!"
The mist formed in grandfather's
eyes. 1T was" he explained, but now
it is to belong to another little Kitty
Bryant"
"Tick-a-tock, tick-a-tock," called the
little watch.
Kitty placed her soft warm cheek
grandfather's. Tn going to be
the best little mistress to IT." she wh1s-
pered.
Grandfather Bryant placed a tremb-
ling hand upon her sunny curls, saying !
Had l not known this, dear, I would
never have trusted you with It,"
'"Tick-a-tock," agreed the little watch
keeping the exact time Of Kitty's little
heart, which was also going "tick-a-
with sweetness and Joy.