|The children had been playing house out in the back shed. Joe and Susie
were Mr. and Mrs. Primrose, Nellie was Aunt Daisy, and Pink and Ducky
were the little Primroses.
Susie had a real cooking-stove, and a teakettle. She saved all the burnt
matches for firewood. They had hot water and sugar for tea. Toasted
crackers did duty for beefsteak, hot rolls, and potatoes. The very brown
ones were chocolate cake.
[Illustration: 8102]
They had a merry feast' until Mrs. Primrose's health failed. Then Mr.
Primrose thought they had better take a trip to Paris.
There was a brook at the bottom of the garden, with two boards across it
for the children to walk over. On the other side was Paris.
Mrs. Primrose said they ought to take the furniture, but she left it
all behind except the teakettle. She was sure to want some tea on the
voyage.
Ducky had fallen asleep, and they concluded to leave him at home. He was
only three years old, and could not enjoy the sights. Joe put him in the
hammock, and the rest started on their journey. Aunt Daisy was to take
care of Pink, who was four years old, and as playful as a kitten.
The family reached the other side in safety, except poor Mrs. Primrose
and her teakettle. When she was about half way across, Ponto, the great
house-dog, came rushing down the hill to go with them. He struck
against Mrs. Primrose, and over she went into the brook; but her beloved
teakettle flew over to the other side of the stream.
Just then there was a dreadful clap of thunder. It frightened the
children so, that they ran up to the house as fast as they could. Susie
did not remember until the next day what became of the teakettle, but it
had reached Paris in safety.
--ANNIE D. BELL.
[Illustration: 0103]