Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1892 — LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS. [ARTICLE]

LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS.

: THIS IS THEIR DEPARTMENT OP‘ THE PAPER. Quaint Sayings and Doings of Little Ones Gathered anil Printed Here for Other' Little Polks to Head.

For the I.ittle Girl’s Doll. A lovely bedroom set, given to a little girl for her dolls, consisted of a dresser, commode, bedstead, four chairs and a low couch without a back. The shapes, which are simple and graceful, were first designed and outlined on pieces of stout pasteboard. Then the mother coi’ered each piece neatly with blue cretonne, having a pattern of small pink rosebuds and butterflies. The pieces were sewed neatly together with blue thread, the stitches being taken not through the pasteboard but through the cretonne covering. A little mirror, costing 10 cents, was fitted into an oval place on the back part of the dresser, and the brass handles to the dresser and commode were the small brass rings with screws attached that are used for curtains. The smallmattress and pillows were filled with excelsior, and over them were sheets and cases of linen trimmed with torchon lace. Such a pretty gift, dear to the heart of a child, might he made at a slight expense, although the same would cost nearly $lO at the store. The material required for such a gift could he saved up from the scraps that are wasted every week.

Another quickly and cheaply made article for the little ones is a ribbon rattle. Make an ordinary hall out of rags, covered with some strong cloth. Then take fancy strips of ribbons and turn them into points, and sew them fast to the rag-ball. On each point fasten a small brass, fancy-work bell. A small stick for the handle should be attached to the ball before .it is covered with the ribbons. Pink, white and blue ribbons should be used for making points on which to fasten the bells, and several of these colors can be twisted around the handle to cover it. The rattle will be pretty when finished, and if securely put together it will last for sometime. The bright colors of the ribbons will attract the eyes of the children almost as much as the tinkling of the small bells. The whole thing can be made for about 25 cents.

Ho Got Something;, but ’Twasn’t the Eggs. Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel had gone out and left their four children at home with strict orders to stay there. But no sooner were they out of sight than, “I know where there are some eggs in a nest,” said the next to the oldest squirrel. “Where?” asked the youngest sister. “In that big tree that stands on the Wig avenue in front of the big house. And I’m going to get ’em, too.” “You’d better mind what was told you and stay home till your father and mother come back,” said the oldest squirrel. “If you don’t you’ll be sure to regret it.” “Oh! regret your granny,” replied his saucy brother; “I’m going to get those eggs. I’m very fond of bird’s eggs, and I’ll just hurry over there and eat them, if none of the birds is around, and be back in a jiffy.” So off he started for the big tree on the big avenue in front of the big house. There were no birds to be seen and soon he was sitting before the nest with one paw in it, when whir-r-r! came a sound of wings, and at least a dozen sparrows flew at him. He dropped the egg he had grasped and fled for his life, springing wildly from branch to branch, but he could not escape from his angry pursuers. They swooped down on him from every side ahd pecked him unmercifully with their sharp bills. He leaped into the next tree and ran in among the leafy boughs seeking a hiding place. But when he found a crotch hole the birds got between him and it, and drove him away. At last he dropped on the roof of the nearest house, his enemies still following him, and repeating with shrill cries, “Will you, will, will you ever come to steal our eggs again?” “Never, never, never,” replied the frightened squirrel as he slid down the rainwater pipe that led from the roof to the back yard. And when he arrived at home he didn’t look much like the conceited young fellow that had started out so briskly only an hour before. “Did you get the eggs?” asked his little sister. “No, I didn't: but I got a good whipping, and I never want to see a bird's nest again,” said the naughty squirrel. Patty Syveetbriek.