South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-05
UNCLE WIGGILY

Once upon a time there was a cat
lady who was very poor She had
little girl named Lappie, who was
called that because she used her red
tongue so prettily in tapping up the
milk. One day another pussy girl,
no was not so poor as Dappie, came
over the fields 10 the poor cat lady's
house.
Good morning. Mrs. New" pur-
red the not-so p oor-pussy girl.
Where is Lappie?"
she has just gone 10 the store
for me- answered Mrs. New, who
was rather surprised to get visit
from this pussy girl. whose father
had quite a lot Of money, for he
worked in a cheese factory. But
Lappie will soon be coming home.
Fluffy" The name Of the other
pussy girl was Fluffy.
We'll I'll not wait 70 see lap
pie" mewed Fluffy, but l called to
ask her 70 come 10 a little party
am giving day after tomorrow. Moth
er said / might have a little party
before school begins. and daddy told
me to come and invite Lappie.
cont know her very well, but 1 hope
10 have lots of fun with her at the
party and afterward."
cit is very kind Of YOU" said Mrs.
New, and I'm sure Lappie Will be
delighted TO attend the party. I'll
eel her as soon as she comes home"
Then Fluffy went back 10 her house
across the field. and Mrs New
thought how kind IL was OF the rich
cats TO invite poor pussies to their
party.
When Lappie came back from the
store her mother told her about the
invitation TO the party. and she
thought her little daughter would
flip her tail for JOY. But. instead,
Lappie gave a sad sigh and mewed:
"Oh. Mother. dear! II was lovely
Of FLUFFY 10 ask me, but / can't go
10 her party"
why not?" asked Mrs. New.
Because I have no dress to wear"
answered Dappie.
What nonsense" laughed Mrs.
New. There is your Jlue dress, the
best one you have"
Yes. II is the best one I have"
said Lappie sadly, but IL IL not
nice enough TO wear 20 a party.
have worn is so many times that II
isn't at all new. and all the other
animal girls would laugh at me II
] came in that old. blue dress.
Don't look sad. Mother" begged
Lappie. I know it isn't your fault
that we are poor. and I don't mind
wearing old dresses-only I don't
want 20 60 10 A party with them"
"Oh. 1 am so sorryi" softly said
Mrs New. 4 did hope you could
go to the party Fluffy is going TO
give. Well, 1 know what It Is 10
want 70 look nice in a new dress,
and not be able TO. I am sorry,
Lappie. Perhaps something may
happen so you may get a new dress
for the party"
"oh. If it only would" exclaimed
Lappie
And from then on all she thought
Of was getting a new dress.
But new dresses, even for pussy
girls. do not grow on bushes. and
Lappies father was too poor to
buy her one al the five-and-ten-
cent store. SO. though every time
she walked through the woods or
over the fields LAppie would say
~Oh, 7 wish had one! I wish I
had one" no new dress came.
she was saying this out loud the
day on which the party was 10 be
held when Urcle Wiggily happened
20 be hopping through the woods
close 20 where Lappie was sitting
under a tree. The bunny rabbit gen
tleman Eeard Lappie signing:
"Oh, 7 wish I had onel How
wish I had onei"
"Dear me-" thought Uncle Wig
Eily I wonder what Il Is Lappie
wants." He knew the little pussy