St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877

s. Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets i

d in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but ple

r parlor with the prettiest tapestry. A board, propped on two blocks of wood, stood in the middle of the walk, covered with a little plaid shawl much the worse for wear, and on it a miniature tea service was set forth with great elegance. To be sure, the tea-pot

seat lay six, and so varied were the expressions of their countenances, owing to fractures, dirt, age and other afflictions, that one would very naturally have thought this a doll's hospital, and these the patients waiting for

callops, shrouded her slender form, a garland of small flowers crowned her glossy curls, and a pair of blue boots touched toes in the friendliest, if not the most graceful, manner. An emotion of grief, as well as of surprise, might well have thrilled any youthful breast at such a spectacle, for why, oh! why, was this resplendent dolly hung up there to be stared at by t

UNG FROM THE

elinda. She, unable to repress 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 a sort of jig upon the door. Hanging was evidently not a painful operation, for she smiled contentedly, and looked as if the red ribbon around her neck was not unc

but were not-for Bab was a year older than Betty, though only an inch taller. Both had on brown calico frocks, much the worse for a week's wear, but clean pink pinafores, in honor of the occasion, made up for that, as we

ON THEIR WAY T

rnal pride upon the left-hand row of dolls, who migh

st child that ever was!" And Betty set down the basket to run and embrace

perfectly delicious!" said Bab, lifting the napkin to hang over

ed Betty, rushing back to get her

n the loveliness of the cake, so brown and shiny, with a tipsy-looking B

dn't pick it off. We can give Belinda that piece, so it's just as well

oo," proposed Bab, going, with a hop, sk

duous task accomplished, the fond mammas stepped back to enjoy the spectacle, which, I assure you, was an impressive one. Belinda sat with great dignity at the head, her hands genteelly holding a pink cambric pocket-handkerchief in her lap. Josephus, her cousin, took the foot, elegantly arrayed i

tea. Did you forget the buns

er stale and crumbly ones, saved from lunch for the fete. These were cut up and a

ea isn't good for children, she says." And Bab contentedly surveyed

ng down on the door-step and stretching out the stout little legs which had been on the go all day;

y down the walk toward the gate, where a

we may go with her. You know she wouldn't take us in the fall, 'cause we had whooping-cough and it

m while she goes round. May be I'll have time to read some, and then I can te

all shut up there when we might have such fun with them. I'd just like to bang that old door down!" And Bab twisted round to give it a thump

dn't

ou suppose I know

I know

How darst you

take Belinda and go right

at up t

you are only company, so you'd better beha

anger at once, and she hasten

you know ma says she will let us play in the coach-ho

and didn't try to go in, though we might have just as easy as not," cried Betty, appease

piders, but I don't care. You and the dolls can be t

e time with that old wooden bit in my mouth, and you jerking my ar

," suggested Bab, feeling that it was not saf

such a lovely cake, and know they wouldn't pick at it," said Betty proudly,

n they returned a sight met their astonished eyes which produced a simultaneous shriek of hor

, gazing at the dreadful scene. Then Bab cast her water-pai

when she pinched little Mary Ann, and now she has. I'll giv

rection as fast as she could, with the water splashing all over her as she ran, for she had forgotten to put dow

ane!" sho

wall into the avenue, the other to scamper to the spot they had just left. Still nothing appeared but the dandelion

new scare, which made them both cry "

east, licking his lips after basely eating up the last po

to give battle but afraid, for the dog wa

?" whispered Betty, making herself as small

before. His eyes, however, were yellow, instead of glassy black, like the other's, his red nose worked as he cocked it up, as if smelling for more cakes in the most impudent manner, and never during t

ed from this shock when the hind legs came down, the fore legs went up, and he paraded in a soldierly manner to and fro, like a sentinel on guard. But the crowning performanc

he gymnastics ended, and the dizzy dog came and stood on the step before them barking loudly, with that pink nose of his snif

away!" co

ekly quave

nly as he appeared. With one impulse the children ran to see what became of him, and after a b

e from?" asked Betty, stopp

and give him a good beating, old thief

it," groaned Betty, sadly remembering the dozen good raisins she c

e may as well go home," and B

spite of her woe, "It was so funny to see him spin round and

en-why! why!"-and Bab stopped short in the arch, with her eyes a

cried Betty, all ready to run

said Bab in an awe-stricken w

re, just where they first put it, was the lost cake, unhurt, unchanged, ex