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8 THE ROCK ISLAND AUG US. SATOliDAY. FEBRUARY 19, 1910. ft' 1 Mg U'J in a H T a . J? i nome ymins or Henick. By Rhodes Campbell. EA Tale of a Tea Table. r By Ellen Manly. Betsy Bobbity baked a bun A beautiful big, bewitching one. So light that it fairly shone with pride. With currants a-plenty safe inside. Patsy Poppity peeled a peach, A pear, and a plum, and put them each In a tiny pie with a frosted top. As fine as those in the baker shop. Dora Doppity cried, "Dear me! What a capital time to give a tea!" And she put the little red table out. With three little chairs set round about. And Betsy Bobbity's Baby Blue, And Patsy Poppity's Precious Prue. And Dora Doppity's Daisy Dee, Were asked to come to a charming tea. Three little maids to the pantry flew To look for the dishes pink and blue. And a terrible tragedy happened next And my ! but the three little maids were vexed. Young Puppety Pup came racing by. And the little red table caught his eye; Then never a bit he cared not he That he hadn't been asked to the dainty tea; But he ate up Betsy Bobbity's bun. With all of the currants every one. The three little pics at a single bite, And everything else there was in sight! But never a word the three guests said, As they gazed with a smile right straight ahead; And never they showed the least surprise, Although right under their very eyes. The rude and ravenous Puppety P. Ate .ill that they were to have had for teal Which shows us plainly that Baby Blue, And Daisy Dee. and the Precious Prue, Were well brought up. and clearly knew That the proper, ladylike thing to do Was never to make remarks at tea. Whatever they chanced to hear or seel A Contrary Pet. By Annie Willis McCullough, "My-pony's like a naughty child, and likes to have v his way, 5o, when I want to travel on, he always wants to v stay! 'And when I want to make a stop, right past the i". drive he'll spin, :And then, when I've no errand there, insists on going in. He bumps me over hummocks when he ought to - go quite slow, -"And if I try to hurry him he shakes his head, "no, no." 2l -wish he'd stop a minute, but he's started out to roam: f, don't know where we're going, but I hope he'll "' take me home! PLEASE. By Stella George Stern. If a baker baked a bun And put a big plum in it Wh, do you think, would get it with ease. The child that whined and pouted, The child that grabbed and shouted Oh, no. not one of these. Not these it can't be doubted. If a baker baked a bun. And put a big plum in it. It seems to me that the child that said, "Please," Would get it in a minute. Sleepy-Time Song. By Anne F. Barr. When sleepy wirids sing low, sing lotT", And stir the shadows on the lawn. Then, laddie wee, 't is time to go The way the sun has gone. The silver moon is hung on hiih To light the sleepy sun to bed Lay down, like him, your golden head; We'll sing 3-our lullaby, The winds and I. The sleepy winds sing low, sing low They're calling gentle dreams to you: In fairy-fields where poppies b!ow The dreams they bring you blew. .The pink is fading from the sky. The stars are peeping one by one; So sink to sleep, my little son We'll ing your lullaby. The winds aad I. L TGHT-H EARTED and rWdy for work, the Merrick girls were at home again after visiting for the first few weeks of their summer vacation. Eli e. the eldest, tnuglit the Engli?h branches in a girls' schoul in the Wct. Elizabeth, fifteen, and Marion, twelve, were two growing school-irls, and had spent a month, with an aunt at her country plaoe on the Hudson. "Dear me!" said Marion, yawning, as the three sat in the library, "hi .w dull TraNton seems after such charming times at Aunt Isabel's, and the beau tiful house with trained servants, with nothing to do from morning till night but -r.c' o-vn pleasure!" "It does spoil one. I'm afraid, if ve were rich, Marion, we'd be ''otty an' 'crrid.' said Elizabeth. "Yet here is EliKe. who has born so gay. and had tennis and golf parties in her honor. r:nd has been a belle of the solidcst brar, and file's already sewing cn a dress for a poor youngster who has none for the Sunday-school picnic next week. The needle fairly squeaks, it is so hot! She is doing it for sunshine, but who wants sunshine this weather? I prefer shade." Elizabeth lay back in her big chair and fanned vigorously. "Stop being so frivolous and pun-making. Betty," said the elder si.Urr. "If you'd gather this sleeve you'd b? cooler than groaning in t'.-at ln::y chair. I've been thinking as well as sewing yes, it is wearing, and far from complimentary." "To yourself?" asked Marion. "To all of us," said Eli. c. "Has it ever occurred to you elegant young women that whilo we have been butterflies of pleasure, if not of fashion, our dear mother lias been here nursing grandmother through a long and tedious illness, and never letting us know about it for fear of spoiling our visits?" "It's hard to realise it when we are away." mur mured Elizabeth. "With us "seein' is bclicvin'." and then mother never complains, and a!wavs seems so calm and pleasant. Brt she must be tired cut. Nurs ing is the hardest work." "We're a selfish lot: at least Betty and I are," said Marion, impulsively. "I plead guilty, too." Elise declared. "But we must do something to redeem ov.rsclves. Mama must have a vacation." "Oh, you know, E!ice, there's no money to spare for any more jaurs " "Mere's the shame!" said E!i"e. ouickly. "I've offered her part of my earnings, I can't save half I ought to, but she won't touch it. as she thinks I need it for fall and winter clothes. But I've thought of another way not so attractive, but far better than no vacation. Why not invite her to visit us for two or three weeks? Of course, when we're at home we help, but the brunt falls on her. Now let us big. hearty girls take every bit of the house work on our hands and make a visitor of our mother. We can do several simple, rice things for her enter tainment. Let us make a little sacrifice for her, instead of her making dozens every year for us." "The very thing!" cried Betty. "My conscience docs prick, and it will be fun. too. Nobody but you, Elise, would think of such a thing." "Ve must write a formal invitation and send it at once. Let me sec! Oct paper and pens from my desk my very swellest note. How will this do? "The Misses ITerrick request the pleasure of a two weeks' visit from Mrs. Lucy Merrick, beginning on Wednesday afternoon next at four o'clock. An early reply is requested. "ELISE MERRICK. "ELIZABETH MERRICK. "MARION MERRICK." The next day Tuesdry came a note in the mail. Three heads ber.t anxiously over the fine, pretty writing. They read: "Mrs. Lucy Merrick accepts with pleasure the invitation from the Misses Merrick to visit them at their charming home. She will arrive promptly at four o'clock. Wednesday afternoon. She hopes that at the end of the two wee the return with ..irs. at her own. home.' 'g ladies will Merrick for a protracted stay whipped cream, and Elizabeth's nut-cakes and Mark n's peppermint wafers. After tea there was a new game, led by Elir-abcth. T;:en Elise can-.e in to plav many pretty airs, like "Jock o' I ! archie:,"." "iV.nriic Dundee." znd "The Campbells are Coming." with variations. The three sisters sang some "lively sngs. Marion said afterward that she didn't know what they would have done if they had had gentlemen, mmmmmmmmmiwt mm -.' ' f :-' . i v."? : . . : J. 1v,'f'- "Pretty neat, that last." Marion cried, and they all laughed.. Then they went to work in earnest. Wedresdav. directly after breakfast. Mrs. Merrick was hurried off to spend the day with her mother, four squares away. Then the thre. in morning dress, worked with a will. They had lunch, instead rf the usual country nocn dinner, to give them Fflves more time. I'v four "evervthing was in order, rrd the girl5, in pretty afternoon dress, awaited their guests for grandmother was coming to tea. also. They arrived promptly. Mrs. Merrick in her lav ender lawn, and Madam Avery in a thin black-and-white gown with old lares. Tire rooms cf the cottage were partly darkened and co?J. with flowers and vines everywhere. A few iv. ments later three frievds of the mother's carrle a surprise planred by the girls. Every one seemed in a gala mood. There was a cool brecre on the piazza, so the guests adjourned thither later. When j sunder time came, the mother could not repres-, a little gap of astonishment. The t-ible was bcantifvlly decorated with ferns and white rosc with Elise's bst embroidered centerpiece of ferns on a white ground. The prettiest china and silver were in use, and vines were on the walls. Marion was a model waitress in white cap and apron. Elise had the few hot dishes for the first course. She served coffee from the urn. a fa-vilv heirloom. and !-. for M-dr-m f'om E!;-ab"th's Chinese teapot. The veal pate's had been the skele ton at the feast, but they were a success in spite of dire misgivings, while Elise's delicious light rolls vcre highly praised. , Elizabeth rave for a econd roure her famous vegetable salad, served with thin slices of br".-n bread and olives. The last course was sliced peaches chilled, with " I . f . ... : M ::. W "'"Wtitamnrf-"- Marion asked if their guest wished a maid's ser vices. Receiving a brief negative, she quickly withdrew to throw herself on the couch down-stairs and give way to laughter. "Oh, it is such fun! and mother acts it out so W'c'l, if S'he did forget about the dishes!" she said to her sisters. The next morning a friend, who was in the secret, called in her carriage to take Mrs. Merrick driving "with friends she wished her to meet" who proved to be two neighbors. In the afternoon they all sat quietly with their work on the piazza. One day Elise and her mother returned some calls long due, and everywhere Elise explained that her mother was visiting her, and begged thcrfi to call. Eriends planned to call different days, and, enter ing into the spirit of the thing, Mrs. Merrick wa invited out informally more than she had been for a year. She thoroughly enjoyed it, and her hostesses declared she looked ten years younger. Elise rear ranged the pretty gray hair in a new style which she had learned when away, and it proved vastly becoming. Eii. r.bcih ar.d Marion did all the mend ing, ar.rl F.h'.se. who was unusually deft with her needle, made over a white dress f r her guest, so that it looked like new. Eli.e tried to economize and yet have palatable meals, and she found a certain excitement in her crowing success. But both she I her sisters al o realised, as they never had before, how much care, how many nuch as they liked such hearty dishes; but one guest was a widow, another unmarried, and the husband of the third was out of town. Madam Avery's one lodger came for her, mid escorted the others home also. As s -.on as the d.or closed behind the guests, Mrs. Merrick said eagerly, "Now, girls, we must get those dishes out of the way." H er remark was met by a lofty stare from Elise. "Guests do not ask about kitchen arrangements." she. said; "but if you are troubled, Mrs. llcrrick, you may be allowed a glance into or.r culinary department." So saying Elise led the way, and behold! the kitchen in perfect order, and not a dish in view! Mrs. Merrick looked her amazement, but she only said: "What well-trained servants you must have!" "Yes, the waitress cleared the table, then ate her own supper; then the housemaid came frcm the parlor to relieve the cook, who had most of the dishes wash' A. The cook left the dish washing to play on the piano," Elise explained. "Well," said Mrs. Merrick, "1 must express my delight over my firt evening's entertainment. I don't know when I have enjoyed myself more: but I hone you wi;l rot go to any undue labor for the remainder of my stay." "With servants so well trained as ours, madam, nothing is a labor, and entertaining but a joy and p-stime." said Elizabeth. ".Marion," she added, 'Show Mrs. Merrick to her room." The latter was Jn beautiful order, the bed decked -ut in the be"t bed-linen, with freshly lvindered overs on dre sirg-tf.hlc and chiffonier, and with flowers about the rocm. , CijyiCl..ur. MS i-jE CF-XTLIZY COMPANY, pected things, turned ip every kow :!1 the round of household tasks rr.ay berrme in years of performance. They could not understand this fully in three weeks' time: but they received a new impression of a m .-tkcr'r, du:ie and responsibilities in a cookless h ' .sc!-.ld where sir-itetrcd me;.;-.3 required the m; t careful c.-onomy. They had sup posed themselves wc'l informed and helpful as:i.i tants to their mother, and Eiise especially was riift capable; but it is a very dif.'crcr.t thin": t- help an efficient housekeeper when other tiring", do not inter fere, and to have the whole cn-e of a household. Even now the care was divided among three, although Elise took the lead; and Elizabeth broke out one day. when interruptions innumerable had delayed, the work, and the heat wa ; almost trr.be ar able: "To thir.k . f m:.rv.r;y goi:- on this way fcr j'ears and years, :.:-.d sc-vir.g for us and j !.-.:r:::ng to keep d'iv.-n e::pc:r .:('. ar.d trying t dress three f ir's before Elise took care cf hcrcclf!" "And here I might have saved more and h-uht her a new dress, in-tcad of ju.t a h.r.t. I don't sec why and how my rv.ir.cy goes so. when I've r.'.v.ays been taught to economize. I must do better nc:.t year," Elise said. "And Elizahcth and I must h'!p m-re rt b.T.ie. Even when v.-e go to school we might do mire, with some p'anniirjj a::d extra cf.""rt," Marion declared. "Mercy!" Elizabeth, who never ou'd be grr.ve very long at a time, laughed. "Just hear tire refi.rr-.i bills presented before the Mouse of Merrick! If we keep on the millennium will soon arrive and we shall all be grown-up angels. And here my maga zine awaits me, and Antoinette La Rue is impatiently expecting Eli'C to go to the Macrauhtons garden party, and Marion mu'.t ber.d her mind to plan to-morrow's breakfast, as it is her turn. I'm going to forget that I'm o;-.c third Cinderella and enjoy my beloved 'Rebecca.' while our guest lolls at her ease in her room. She certainly enjoys her vifit more than any guest we ever had." And Elizabeth ran off with a light heart. The two weeks came to a close; and Mrs. Merrick, who had been driving with a friend, drove up to the gate, and was met by her family with a welcome which was far too heartfelt to be mere acting. Marion flung her arm about her. "Oh, I'm glad Mrs. Ilerrick is gone, mammy dear!" she said. "She was pleasant, and a 'real lady,' as Bridget used to say; but I have missed you! Elise is the bc-t cMer sister,, but mothers arc so comfy!" This was unusual from the usually quiet Marion. The other two hovered about her as they all went into the house. "Well, all joking aside, girl"." said Mrr.. llcrrick. T am so happy! Mow well you have done! I did worry a little over the expense, but I hear that Elise met the extras with her own pocket-money, and the regular expenses arc as usual. And what a rest it has been to me you cannot think! I am very proud of my g'.r'.s, and I'm gcirg to tell you a secret: Mothers get rather blue sometimes, thinking that all their racrif.ee and labor is taken as a matter of course, and a charming little plan like this cheers antl comforts her immensely." "Eliie planned it," raid Elizabeth, generously. "But I never could have carried it out without the girls. I had no idea they were so capable." Elise declared. The, mother hurried out into the kitchen to get the supper. She looked into the refrigerator. There was the fruit, the cold sliced ham on the platter. "I believe I shall have Erench toas?." she thought, and then started, for Elizabeth stood by her side. "I'm going to be.t the eggs." that irrepressilc announced. "You're not going to be out here alone working. I think comnarv is o enlivening, and it oils the wbe"1, even cf a silly fifteen-ye.ir-old. And, mother. Ma-inn and I are going to have regrhi' tasks even when we're in school. E'ie has talked it over, with vs. We have always helped by -pa-m . but now we're going to help every single day, and all null together." Eh'z-beth beat the eg vigorously as she sang: "'TV 'd we stand, divided we fall."' But her mother did not answer r. nt.in1 She knew this dni"-b?er's ave--;on to kitchen work, n-d vrc'ne-tcd!v a -"ict enme before r- eves. The future yenrs took e-n a oct,. for sfc tw nt rnee thr not Of'v n the bone1v every-d.T- taks. but in the re?rer ete-cr rornari'OTic"-'ri. che wns r-ot t" 1-e. H"t with tl-ree to Vilp. -ot t"'rr,er. O-i1 h-'d rd'e-vlv r!-f hp 'Iit' ' f he '.-'trn ""f r ... . r'h-z "-e-e ruit V'eir et'erjrr. "i!1''i'v sj.rM-Me-.-. f i:ff 'vrt'-cr; nrd lo! it was a heavy burden no lender, but lisht as air. PENNY. GLAD- PENNY. SAD Mi S -7f.. -"-? 4 Vsif if-1 9 J 1 When a little penny's dingy .nd a dull and ugly brown, I'rnni the fingers of the butcher-boy Ar.il ev?ry one in town, I feci sorry for the penny, And I r.-.y it is too bad. Don't you think the little penny must be Sid? Then I ru.b it on the carpet With all my main and might. Till it gets all warm and shiny, A.n-i .-o pretty and so bright That I'm sure it has forgotten All the trrv.blc; that it had Don't you think the little penny must be glad? The Two Extremes. By Edwin Cabin Oh, Mistress Carrie Carrowav was such a careless rirl. With buttons ofT ar.d clothes awry and hair all out of curl! A fy-ahout, a srrtter -brain, a frolh- and a teae Ar.d ah. the w.-.v. '-.i t ether things, she dropped and 1 't !i.t" "gV! And there .'ore "ta'.ki-i' fug win' war therefore "be m ec::i , sometiiui 1ik .nl j;::ewie r.otnir' t-yu: . "(!y:n , "ri i:i' '! And vainly di.l her p-.rcu' -. threaten varirus disgraces Un'.r .s '' e : Nght about her "g's" and put them i:t their places. While Mistress Katie Ka'.ter!;!t, t!re opposite was she; ?o pr:m and economical, as doubtless you'll arre: hor v.-tcnoecr rhe found one word that answer mii.t for two Or rr:--r':cs t'-rec withor.t d:'av she made that one v.--rd de! Oh, "won't" and " Vvrrt" and "can't" anl "sha'n't" are orc'irary r.amp'es. With "ain't" a'ud '"V-n't" and '"tisn't" more c:rri"iis c:.a::;; c--. And thus t" serve her purpose she the English lan guage fvirtrd, , Till such a strange vocabulary never had existed. Now, here arc lassies, diff'rent they as pencil may prerent ; The r.e so very prodig::!. on thrift the other bent. And jet when you would come to choose, somehotr to me it seems The proper path for taking lies betwixt the two extremes. Instead of Mistress Carrowav, of letters so uncar ing Instead of Mistress Katterkit. of words so tvy sparing I think, or, rather. I am sure, wty model would be K-;.'icr; So cautious be, oh girls and boys, of patterning on cither! A Child Ponders. By Nancy Byrd Turner. The moon has gone the other side the worlds I wonder why? Last week she was a tiny feather curled Ear in the sky; Maybe the hard wind blew her, light and swift Across the Western sea, And some to-morrow she will softly driit Out of the East to me. The leaves arc falling, falling from the trees. Like colored snow; What make; them move without a breath of breeze I want to know? The air is just as still, yet ceaselessly, Grmly from b. ugh and stem They're dropping, dropping earthward can it bfl An angel touches them? I found a lovely shell down on the shore, TcaHopcd and thin; They told me that it held the ocean's roar Always witlr'n. I tried to fine! the w :ter in my shell To pcur it on the ground It did rot hold a drop. I cannot tell What made that sinking sound. To-r.i-ht a Mar fell yonder frcm the sky I saw it dip Down toward the world like a far firefly; Then curve and slip Somewhere onrewhcre. The air is dark and deea ti. . . i . . wr iri-r stars agiow All S3" ad ''--r'ng. bv I rnnnot Where did the lost nar so? sleep,