The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-09-09
THE
CHILDREN'S HOUR
cARLoTTA's LOST CLUTCHES.

She slipped downstairs so lightly
that Monday morning that crutches
seemed the last thing to be associated
with her. But she was hardly seated
at the breakfast table before the ne
cessity for them began to appear.
Matte, / promised to get that
book Of recitations to Ethel, and now
/ shan't have time. Could you go up
there some time today?"
Matte, her sister, three years older,
looked frankly dismayed.
cob, Carlotta! I've got such busy
day planned. The dressmaker is COM
ing and | thought if worked with
her, we could pretty nearly finish
making over my blue serge"
well, I'm sure l don't know what
Ethel will do" remarked Carlotta.
"The entertainment is on Friday, you
know and Ethel is very slow about
learning anything
The older sister drew a long, re
signed breath.
I'll have to take it, of course .
she said, 'but / don't know how to
spare the time
That conversation was characters
tic. All. hers life 8Garlotta had been
dependent on human crutches. If she
were going out for the evening, the
other members of the family were
called upon to get her ready Would
Matte mind running fresh ribbon in
to her underwear?
and then brother Bob was sum
moned from his game of checkers
with his father.
Bob, please shine my pumps for
me. 1 don't want to get my fingers
all black
And after little, mother would be
called on to hunt for Carlotta's lace
edged handkerchief.
After the door closed upon her, the
family all sat down and took long
breaths Of relief
As a matter OF face, Carlotta hardly
realized that she was making use
Of clutches. It did not occur. to her
that she was especially dependent.
There was always someone at hand to
do the thing she had left undone. to
make up for her lack Of foresight and
her neglected preparation. And so
CarfDtta went on her way very we'll
satisfied with herself, and not at all
| conscious Of her crutches.
1t was Aunt Margaret who opened
her eyes. Coming for a visit to her
brothers family, Aunt Margaret had
watched with grave disapproVal Car
lotta's way of relying on other people
to do the things she herself should
have done. 1t would not be an easy
matter, Aunt Margaret realized, to
help Carlotta correct that fault. A
severe lesson would be necessary
Aunt Margaret wondered what form
that lesson should take.
From her brothers house Aunt
Margaret was going out West, stop
ping for a time in Chicago and then
taking wonderful trip that included
Pixies Peak and the Yellowstone and
California. Carlotta's eye always
grew very big when Aunt Margaret
discussed her plans.
1T sounds like taking trip tc
fairyland, she declared one day.
Aunt Margaret looked at her very
thoughtfully
would you like to go with me
Carlotta?'
Like to go?" Carlotta flushed as
lshe repeated the question. Like to
Aunt Margaret Why, it would be
1.-THE most wonderful thing ever heard
OF
| Aunt Margaret reflected.
Il am going home next week, ane
II start the 18th. If you meet me
the afternoon be the 18th at MardeT
function, I Will take you with me
provided, of course, your parents are
willing.
Carlotta started, unable to believe
her ears.
you'll take mech, Aunt Mar
garet, you must be joking"
Her aunt smiled.
r I'm net joking, Carlotta, but there
lis a condition. You must get ready
without any assistance
Get ready why, don't know what
you mean ?"
You must rely on yourself in max
ing your preparations, just as though
1.-THE family did not exist. You mus
buy your own ticket, order your Owl