The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-08-23
Playful Polly
Learns to Read


that appealed to Polly as desirable
was reading.
What for?" she would say, when
some meddling grown person thrust
q volume upon her attention. I'D
rather do things myself. People in
books are so stupid" And, with an
impatient swish of her huge black
hair ribbon, she was off to her play.
She would play with the girls, with
the boys, dolls, prisoners base, any
anything at all, so long as 1t invol-
we'd fun and action. Polly was prac-
ticalIy never stin except when she
was asleep; there were games
which she liked for evenings in
front of the open fire, or co1ored
crayons with which to paint vivid
pictures. Never did it occur to
her to perch upon the big couch
in front of the fire place, or to lie
on the hearthrug, book in hand.
Shewas just little girl who did
not like reading, and she consis-
tently ignored all suggestions of
her playmates and older relations,
to the effect that some day she
might be sorry about the omission.
Polly concerned herself with exact
ly one day at time.
But, at length, there came a day
when older sister, Elizabeth, an
nounced that she was going to give
party ON the following Saturday
evening; 1t was holiday time, when
all her friends had come home from
school or college or the city.
"Goody!" cried Polly, jumping up
and down in her glee. IL love par
ties better than anything. almost.
Whit kind of party will it be this
time"
ITS going to be a queer kind of
a party, Pollyklns, and l doubt it
it will interest you as much as US
ual: for it's going to be bookish
party. l mean," she added, "every
single person who comes to the
party will be dressed to represent
a character in book. 1t will be
something different, and think
my friends will be amused"
We'll, l shan't be then" put in
Polly, pouting disgracefully. 81 call
that the horridest kind of party
I've ever heard Of. Isn't party
to have fun at? What have the
books to do with it? l shan't come
at all. The boys will be out on the
common until dark, and I'll play
with them"
VERY WELL" replied sister Eliza
beth. wisely doing no urging what
ever. Every body knew that Polly
could not be urged.
Polly Is Red Riding Hood
Preparations went on apace.
There was giggling in corners be-
tween Elizabeth and her girl
friends; there were serious consul
tations with mother and the seam
stress; there were clickings Of the
scissors and flauntings of all sorts
of bright-colored materials. But
Polly went on her own sweet way,
quite oblivious, so far as anyone
could notice. However. on the eve
of the party she declared that, af-
ter all, she would attend.
II think I might as WELL" she said
soberly. ut will probably rain and
the boys will not be out. Mother,
which dress shall l wearo"
"Well, Polly, you haven't any
thing that is right to wear. You
ought to have told me before, that
you wanted costume. Whatever
shall / do for you now, at the last
This isn't the sort of
party that you can 60 to in your
white dress with the blue sash. If
you wore that, you would only be
Polly; if you 60 you must be some
body from book"
"Oh," said Polly, nervously stand
Ing on one foot, while grasping
the other in her hand, habit she
had when thinking deeply. Then:
Suppose l should be Little Red
Riding Hood? There's my blue
cape with the red lining wrong
side out. It's perfectly good on
the other side. you know"
THAT will do very WELL" replied
Mother. as she and Elizabeth ex-
changed significant glances.
So 1t was decided that Polly
should after all, wear her white ]
1ress with the hlue cash Int with