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

GranQfatner Bryant sat uoWH oeAoAS
the old mahogany secretary n turned
the key. Then, pulling out the first long
drawer, he placed his hand far back
into it's recesses and drew out the roll
top desk.
Kitty, his little granddaughter, peep
ed around the door-facing. and, seeing
that he was occupied, she tiptoed SOFT
ly into the room. If there was anything
Kittv liked, it vas 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 nope
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
drawer-and-yes. to be sure, there! he
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 "a open! Grand
father was smiling back at her, and
must have 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.
yes, sir, that's a fact" acknowledge
ed Grandfather Bryant.
"And-please, sir, you know what
you promised" stammered the blush
ing Kitty.
Lets see." said grandfather, you
were to look into a certain drawer. l
believe"
ooh, 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 you care to-"
claimed Kitty, so excited she 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 peer lovely to have the surprise
to look forward to-but she u look,
and look she did. There in the little
secret drawer she saw a little green
satin teakettle. its little brass handle
curving over its 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. .,
be taken Off"
yes" agreed grandfather, "you may
take it off"
OF came the little top, and from
within a sound Of a little "tick-a-tock'
tick-a-tock," greeted the little girl.
ooh, grandfather" Kitty cried, plac-
ing her eyes nearer to the open top,
there's a little watch inside.!"
well, we'll, mused grandfather, TAX
ing a peep, "and so there IT,"
Kitty reached in and drew the watch
out. 1t was an old-fashioned, key-wind-
ing one, decorated with blue enamel
The key vas tied to h gold ring IN the
top Of the watch, and on the inside OF
the case were the letters *. 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
against grandfather's. TIN going to be
the best little mistress to IT." she whis-
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,"
t"Tick-a-tock," agreed the little watch
keeping the exact time of Kitty's little
heart, which was also going "tick-a-
tock,' with sweetness and Joy.