Year: 1877

upon his mothers shoulder, is looking
down into the valley, which once had
seemed so far away


Hector, old boy, wasn't that just a
glorious snowstorm, after all?'


Hector sneezed his acquiescence.


A Doll Party.


Louisa NJ. Alcott, in Scribner for December


There was another interesting feature
Of the scene which would have puzzled
any but those well acquainted with the
manners and customs of dolls, A four
teenth rag baby, with china head hung
by the neck from the rusty knocker in
the middle of the door. A sprig of
white and one Of purple lilac nodded
over her, dress of yellow calico richly
trimmed with red flannel scallops,
shrouded her slender form, garland Of
small flowers crowned her glossy curls,
and pair of blue boots touched toes in
the fricndliest, if not the most graceful
manner. An emotion of grief, as well
as Of surprise, mi ght we'll have thrilled
any youthful breast at such spectacle,
for why, oh! why, was this resplendent
uoIy AuilS w tllcIC W uC otdIeu ~ Oy
thirteen of her kindred? Was she a
criminal, the sight of whose execution
threw them fiat upon their backs in
speechless horror? Or was she an idol
to be adored in that humble posture?
neither my friends. She was blonde
Belinda, set, or rather hung, aloft, in
the place of honor, for this was her
seventh birthday, and superb ball was
about to celebrate the great event.


All were evidently awaiting a sum-
mons to the festive board, but such was
the perfect breeding of these dolls that
not single eye out of the whole twenty
seven Dutch Hans had lost one of the
black beads from his worsted counte-
nance) turned for a moment toward the
table, or SO much as winked, as they lay
in decOrous rows, gazing with mute ad-
miration at Belinda. She, unable to re-
press the joy and pride which swelled
her sawdust bosom till the seams gaped,
gave an occasional bounce as the wind
waved her yellow skirts or made the
blue boots dance sort of jig upon the
door Hanging was evidently not a
painful operation, for she smiled con-
tentedly, and looked as if the red ribbon
around her neck was not uncomfortably
tight; therefore, if slow suffocation suit
ed her, who else had any right to COM
plain? SO a pleasing silence reigned,
not even broken by snore from Dinah,
the top of whose turban alone was visi-
BILE above the coverlet, or a cry from
baby Jane, though her bare feet stuck
out in way that would have produced
shrieks from less well-trained infant.


Presently voices were heard ap-
preaching, and through the arch which
led to a side path came two little girls,
one carrying small pitcher, the other
proudly bearing a basket covered with a
napkin. They looked like twins, but
were not-for Bah was year older than
Betty, though only an inch taller.
Both had on brown calico frocks, much
the worse for weeks wear, but clean
pink pinafores, in honor of the occasion,
made up for that, as well as the gray
stockings and thick boots. Both had
round rosy faces rather sunburnt, pug
noses somewhat freckled, merry blue
eyes, and braided tails of hair hanging
down their backs like those of the dear
little Kenwigses


Don't they look sweet?" cried Bah,
gazing with maternal pride upon the
left-hand row of dolls, who might ap-
propriately have sung in chorus. We
are seven.


"Very nice; but my Belinda beats
them all. do think she is the splen-
oldest child that ever wasr And Bet
ty set down the basket to run and en-
brace the suspended darling, just then
kicking up her heels with joyful
abandon.


The cake can be cooling while we fix
the children. 1t does smell perfectly
delicious" said Bah, lifting the napkin
to hang over the basket fondly regard
ing the little round loaf that lay inside


Leave some smell for me!'' COM
manded Betty, rushing back to get her
fair share of the spicy fragrance.


The pug noses shifted it up luxurious
ly, and the bright eyes feasted upon the
loveliness of the cake, so brown and
shiny, with tipsy-looking b in pie
crust staggering down one side, instead
of sitting properly atop.


Ma let me put it on the very last
minute, and it baked so hard | couldn't
pick it off We can give Belinda that
piece, so its just as well, observed Bet
ty, taking the lead, as her child was
queen of the revel.


Lets set them around, so they can
see too, proposed Bah, going, with a
hop, skip and jump, to collect her
young family.


Betty agreed, and for several minutes
both were absorbed in seating their dolls
about the table, for some of the dear
things were so limp they wouldn't sit
up, and others so stiff they wouldn't sit
down, and all sorts of seats had to be
contriyed to suit the peculiarities of
their spines. This arduous task ac-
complished the fond mammas stepped
back to enjoy the spectacle, which, |
assure you, was an impressive one Be
linda sat with great dignity at the head,
her hands genteelly holding pink cam
brio pocket handkerchief in her lap.
Josephus, her cousin, took the foot, ele-
gantly arrayed in new suit of purple
and green gingham, with his speaking
countenancc much obscured by Il straw
hat several sizes too large for him;
while on either side sat guests of every
size. complexion and costume, produc-
ing very gay and varied effect, as all
were dressed with noble disregard of
fa chion