Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1876 — Our Young Folks. [ARTICLE]

Our Young Folks.

BECAUSE SHE LOVED Mill. “ I hate boys! and I wish with all my heart old Bluebeard would carry them away and hang them up by their thumtol, as he did bis wives, that 1 do!” said Susie Lewis, changing her seat for the fourth, time In five minues, and settling herself to read again. “ Wno cares what you hate, old Crosspatch? Besides, Bluebeard’s dead; and I don't believe ho ever did live,” answered Susie’s brother, rolling, cushions and ail, off the sofa on to the floor as he spoke. “ My name is not Crosspatch, 1 thank you ; my name is Susanna May Leivis; and Bluebeard did live, whether you believe it or not. I suppose you believe Daniel lived?” Inquired Susie, indignantly, snatching her dress out of her brother’s reach. “ Who was Daniel?”

“Oh! That shows how much attention you paid to your last Sunday’s lesson, Frederick Lewis. Daniel was a Judge in Jerusalem—at least I think so.” " Well, I think you don’t know much more about him than I do,*’ said Freddy, trying to get his heels to rest on the table without altering his recumbent position. “ Yes, I do. He was put into the den of Hons; and that is just where I wish you and all other boys were, right now,” she added, as Freddy made another div*e at her dress. “ y es, but you see, Miss Susanna, Daniel wasn’t put into the lion’s den for being bad; he was put in because he was so very good—and Freddy laid a distinguishing emphasis on the word “ very.” “ O, you do remember some of your lesson. Well, you won’t ever be put anywhere for being very good,” and Susie again pushed her chair farther away from the teasing boy. “ How do you know so much, Miss bmartie? I might turn out a saint yet.” “ It is time you began then, Fied; and if you dooU stop teasing me I’ll give you something to help you. "What will you give me, PopsyWopsy,” said Freddy, pretending that he was going to tip her chair over. “ Let my chair alone, Freddy Lewis, do you hear? Mamma! Mamma! do speak to Freddy !” called Susie, in desperation, as Freddy made another dive at her dress. “ O, mamma is down in the kitchen, making a nice little mince-pie for me; she couldn’t come now, Miss Susie; so tell me how you are going to help me become a saint,” said Freddy, sitting up, and aiming a sofa cushion at Susie’s book.

“ First by areal good whipping that you could not forget for a month,” answered Susie, dodging the pillow. “ Are you to give if to me, Pussy Cat? because if you are I am awfully afraid,” said Freddy, holding up another cushion between his sister and himself. “Freddy, if you won’t stop tormenting me, I will throw this book at your head.” “Oh, do, by all means! For if you do, I know if you aim at my head you’ll be sure to hit the door. Girls can’t throw straight!” “ For a good reason, sir—they don’t wish to; it is not ladylike.” i- Just here Tom Gregor, Freddy’s chief friend opened the door. “Hello!” he cried. “ Hello, Fred! Trotter says the ice on the pond will bear; the fellows are in tor lots offun. Hurry up! I’ll wait at the gate for you.” Freddy followed him with a shout and a bound, and the next instant Susie heard him calling upon his mother and both servants in a breath: “ Where’s the straps of my skates, mother? Jane, where’s my straps? Ellen, I left them on the hall table; nobody leaves anything alone; mother! mother! mother!”

Susie listened for a moment, then she heard her mother say: “ I am very sorry, dear, but I cannot possibly leave the cake now to help you; ask Susie; she’ll And them.” “ No, Susie won’t,” said that little girl to herself; “he ought to put his things away as I do, then he would know where to find them. Besides, he plagued me so hatefully all the afternoon; I’m just glad he's lost his straps. Aunt Sophy would say it was a providential punishment, and i think So, too.” Here Freddy opened the door, and, looking pleadingly at Susie, said: “Isay, Sissy, won’t you please help me find my straps; somebody’s hid them, and there’s Tom calling me. Come, Susie, there’s a good girl ;*Tm real sorry I teased you. Certain I am.” Susie smiled—a bright, sunny smile. “ All right, you dear little torment, I’ll help you, then; hut I’m sure I don’t know where to look for anything of yours, so you can take my straps. Wait; I’ll get them for you; I know where my things are, always.” “ Good girl! Hurry,then! Hello,Tom!” he shouted, throwing up the hall window ; “ Wait one minute; Susie’s getting me her straps. O, here they are! Thanks! you’re a dear little sister—now and then,” said Freddy, springing out of the window, and making the gate in wonderful time.

“ There, now,” said Susie, “ he’s gone without his comforter, and he’ll get a sore throat again; I don’t believe boys have more than one thought at a time, ever; I believe it would be right to put my book away and take him his comforter.’” She thought a moment, then resolutely put the tempting volume in its place, hunted the lost straps (which she lound in the pocket of Freddy’s school jacket), took the warm, thick comforter ofl - its peg, and, wrapping herself up, was scion in pursuit of her thoughtless brother. He was not very easy to catch, and when caught could hardly stand still while Susie's deft little fingers fastened the warm woolen scarf around his neck; but he was not insensible to the loving care, and in his blunt; boyish way, said: “Susie, I’m ever so much obliged, you know; and I wonder what made you think about my throat, after the way I've been teasing you?” “O, beys can’t help teasing, Freddy, any more than bees can help humming; besides,” she said, looking admiringly into the merry, rosy face, “ besides, Freddy, sister Susie loves you.” ' I won’t say that Freddy never teased Susie any more; but I do know that that little woolen comforter was a tie between brother and sister, fonder and stronger than many a one that is forged of gold.— Christian at Work.