Josephine Scribner Gates

“ Sour pickles could never be made without me, and as for peach pickles, you might have all the cloves and cinnamon in the world in them, would they be at all if it were not for me? As for my looks, I can’t help them. We all have to look like we are, and even though I look and seem sour, at heart I am sweet because really I have to have sugar to make the mother. ”

“ So she swept it from top to bottom, washed the little windows, tied back [11] the pretty curtains with fresh ribbons, dusted the furniture, made the beds, washed the dolls’ faces, mended Dinah’s leg and fastened her wig, flitted about from room to room, giving each one a last fond look, and then she locked the front door and hung the key on the branch of a tree, where it was safely hidden by the leaves. ”

“ It’s what I am, and it’s the way my story begins.”
“Who knows what the very large word used by the very small one means?” asked the Stick Doll, of the audience.
The Pepper and Salt Twins now stepped forward. They swayed from side to side and in sing-song tones cried:
“Un means not. Undeveloped means not developed; developed means finished.”
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“Excellent memory you have,” said the Stick Doll.
“They’ve been peeking in that big book, too; I saw them,” cried the Vinegar Cruet. “Any one could do that.” ”

“ And now came Dinah with a plate of cakes about the size of a penny. [27] Each doll clamored for one. How good they looked! Janie ran to the kitchen; she must bake those cakes.
“O Dinah, please let me. I will be very careful.”
“Well, Miss Janie, you may; but I am cross to-day. My hair is so crooked, and look at my leg! How could you put it on backwards? I have so much work to do, and it is so hard to walk.” ”

“ Presently Anna Belle, Mother, and the baskets were packed in the big sleigh, dashing down the street.
“One stop they made, at the candy store, then on they went.
“‘Do you think you can find Elsie, and the little lame girl, and the house where the bottle dolls are?’
“‘I’m sure I can,’ replied Mother. ‘I happen to know them all.’
“And find them they did, and many others who were not in the dream.
“‘Oh, Mother! isn’t it sweet to do?’ cried Anna Belle, her bright eyes shining up at the Star. ”

“ The closet was filled with beautiful little dresses. A shoe box held various [71] colored shoes and slippers, also bed slippers and a dear little pair of rubbers. On the dresser was everything any young lady could desire. It was charmingly arranged with a lace cover over blue, and a dainty pin cushion, silver comb, brush and manicure set.
In one corner stood a book case, filled with books of the tiniest sort. A long window led out into a balcony; here was stretched a doll’s hammock, where one could swing and pick flowers without moving, for the roses twined in and out. ”

“ When their bodies had finally reached perfection, they went into a bath-room for a sorely-needed bath, and Janie went to help the gardener.
Together they wandered about, plucking an outfit for each doll. It was great fun to match the dresses in slippers and stockings, and then to complete the costumes with the proper hats. When they carried the frocks in, [50] what a hubbub arose! Each doll wanted every dress.
The little Queen quieted them and gave a suit to each one, which they soon put on, and they looked so sweet, clean and pretty that their own mammas would hardly know them. ”

“ The children had their lunch under the little tree, then each picked his own apple and ate it before you could say, ‘Jack Robinson.’
“‘I know a great thing to do,’ cried Jack, as they were about to throw away the core; ‘save the seeds and plant them, and we’ll all be Johnny Appleseeds. You’ll each have a grand orchard started on your farm.’
“‘Splendid!’ laughed the old man. ”

“ When the little ones caught [6] sight of them, remembering that they had not heard the wonderful news, they shouted:
“Let’s tell our mammas!” and quickly disappeared.
Janie Bell’s home was the nearest. She fairly flew up the steps and tumbled into the door as she said:
“O mamma, it’s going to begin to-morrow! Won’t it be lovely! A doll came in a gold carriage and she threw this bill, and a boy doll drove the white kittens all covered with ribbons and bells, and it was too pretty.... Do you think my dolls could come alive?” ”

“ They may have a fresh gown every day, or oftener.’
“‘Where are their homes?’ asked the boy.
“‘They live like the birds in the trees. Look!’
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“The boy gazed in wonder up into the tree tops, to see many tiny bowers woven of vines and flowers.
“‘Their beds are of rose petals, the wind rocks them to sleep, and the birds carol their lullaby. The humming birds hover over them as they dream. They drink honey with the bees. They eat luscious fruits such as one dreams of but never sees. With all of this they are not happy. ”

“ Do you think any one is very happy at Christmas time?’
“‘That depends. Some are very, very happy.’
“‘Yes, I know. People with bushels of82 gifts are, especially if they are really what they want.’
“‘Oh,’ laughed the Fairy. ‘I know people who have scarcely any money to buy presents and yet are having a lovely Christmas with presents made out of nothing. People who are as poor as crows, and yet are bubbling over with joy this very night.’
“Anna Belle opened her eyes very wide at this statement. ”

“ The Queen led them up a path towards a building bearing the sign “The Dolls’ Hospital.” Janie was too much astonished at the sight that met her eyes to follow. All she could see was an orchard of low trees, whose branches hung full of doll clothes, swaying in the cool [43] morning air. There were tiny under-garments, and dresses of all colors. She reached out to examine a particularly pretty one, and to see just how it was made, when a voice startled her.
“Don’t touch that. It isn’t ripe yet.”
“Ripe!” said Janie. “Is it growing?” ”

“ Only little girls with live dolls can know of the happiness that followed. It was no uncommon thing to see dolls playing “ring-around-a-rosy” and “hide-and-seek,” or jumping ropes and rolling hoops. Janie never tired of watching them, and she and her precious doll had many romps.
[55]
The dolls playing “ring-around-a-rosy”
[56]
Early one morning there was left at the door a miniature invitation, which announced that a picnic was to be held at the Doll Farm the next day. Janie [57] ran into the doll house to ask if they would go, and found Dinah busy cooking for it. ”

“ TALES OF THE ORANGE AND LEMON DOLLS
Mr. Cinnamon Stick bade them be quiet, and Orange began her story.
“We come from about the same parts of the world; watch and you will see where.”
The eyes of the audience followed the pair as they heeled and toed over the globe, touching daintily Italy, Spain, Portugal, Florida, and California.
“The California orange is liked best because it has no seeds. It is a deep orange colour with a thick skin.
“The Florida orange is a shade lighter and has a thinner skin.
“We also grow in Mexico—here—but the Mexican orange cannot be shipped because it will not keep. ”

“ They could hardly believe their eyes, [19] and hurried into their clothes; for they too were eager to see these wonderful doings in the doll house. As Janie ran across the lawn, she noticed smoke coming from the chimney. She flew up the steps, unlocked the front door and, as she stepped into the hall, beheld the astonishing sight of black Dinah at the toy telephone. She was just saying, “One steak, please,” and then she called up the grocery store and ordered a bill of goods that [20] would empty almost any housekeeper’s pocket-book. ”

“ When Jack found baby apples on his tree he wanted to celebrate, and Mother told him 123that when they were ripe he could invite his friends and have an apple party.
“An apple party! That would be something new, and he hastened to tell the good news at school.
“‘They are wonderful apples,’ he said. ‘No one in this part of the country has any like them. I tell you we’ll have the fun at that party. They are turning crimson; you never saw such a pretty apple tree!’
“A pretty tree it was indeed, and looked just like a Christmas tree all dressed up. ”

“ All through one little boy having such a fine birthday party.
“A tree is the dearest of treasures. I mean any kind of tree. It does so many things. It gives fruit and shade. It gives the birds a place to build their homes, and in return you have their beautiful music all through the summer. It gives the squirrels a place to hide their nuts. From the trunk many insects find their food.
“If it were not for the trees there would be no mince pies. From the trees are built the ships which bring from foreign countries these many goodies. ”

“ She rushed to the window and saw, drawing up in front, two omnibuses, one filled with the various mothers, the other with the little girls and their dollies. But what was this procession which followed?
“Oh, mamma! it’s all the dolls from the doll-house, and each has on a tiny [85] gossamer. How funny they look!” And so they did, each carrying an umbrella and paddling through the water. Mamma, Janie and Dollie followed them, and all jumped in the omnibuses, closed the doors with a bang, and away they went. ”

“ As the man worked, the merry tune was replaced by sharp twitters and chirps as though the bird were distressed.
“The child watched fascinated, as underneath the tree she saw a Japanese child taking shape. Her fingers rested on the bird’s foot, and suddenly by a quick twirl of his hand the bird was blotted out and in an instant plainly to be seen poised on the mast of a ship, carolling a glad song of freedom. ”

“ One had a hopeless crack in its head, because its mamma got cross and threw it up to the ceiling. Some of them were naked, and most of them were very dirty. Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke of [53] the poor little dead one; and she said she could always tell what kind of heart a little girl had by the way she treated her doll. Those who made the sweetest and tenderest mammas were those who had taken the most loving care of their dollies when they were little girls. ”

“ They can stand and you can have great fun with them.’
“‘I’m going to make some,’ said Anna Belle. ‘I think they are cute. What is she doing now?’
“‘Why, don’t you see? Some one has given her a branch from a Christmas tree. She is fastening the dolls to it. Now she’s poking the coals, she’s going to pop corn and string it for the tree. That cost one penny. She’s also going to make molasses candy. See it bubbling in that kettle? Molasses is very cheap and it will be the only candy they will have, but they will be wild over it, just because only at Christmas time they have it. ”

“ Giving each a loving good-by kiss, and begging them not to be unhappy, the Queen jumped into the gay little coach and was whirled away. The children were driven to their [101] separate homes, each hugging her doll and loath to give it up to its former existence. Janie tried to brighten up, as she bade them all good-by, and said: “It will happen again. The Queen said it would, and it will; so we ought to be extra good. ”

“ Anna Belle had had a very exciting day, and now, curled up on the window seat, her head pillowed on downy cushions, she sat watching the sleighs flying by.
“It was a glorious night. The moon shed its silvery glow on the busy scene, and Anna Belle drowsily noted the people passing with arms filled and pockets bulging.
“‘I wish I could see what’s in those pack80ages,’ she murmured. ‘I think Christmas is queer anyhow.’
“‘Why?’ came in tinkling tones to her ears.
“Anna Belle jumped, for there beside her was a beautiful fairy, holding on high a silver wand, on the end of which gleamed a star. ”

“ The ’buses stopped, then all tumbled out and made a mad rush for the water. Oh, the beauty of it all! How sweet the air was! Who can breathe that delightful, salty odor and not love it? They played in the sand and [88] gathered shells until eleven o’clock, when the air was warmer, and mamma said they might put on their bathing suits.
“But what will the dollies do?”
Janie’s doll waved her mysterious package, and every other doll waved one also, crying:
“Wait and you will see.” ”

“ They clamour for a piece of sugar cane to suck, just as the children here beg for candy sticks. Some of the poor little ones have nothing to eat all day long but a stick of sugar cane, and nowhere to sleep but on a door step. They run around in bare feet and with scarcely any clothes! ”

“ When Janie stopped to think of those happy times being no more, she was ready to cry her eyes out, but she put away the thought, [80] determined to enjoy them while they lasted. One morning at breakfast papa said:
“Mamma, I think we must wind up these remarkable doings with something pretty fine. How would it do to hire several carriages and take the whole caboodle of these chicks, with their wound-up dolls, for a lovely day at the seashore? The various mothers, or rather grandmothers, of the dolls can go to see that they don’t get drowned. ”

“ Surely they aren’t happy,’ cried Anna Belle.
“‘They are as happy as they can be. Each one of them had a penny in a tightly closed fist, wondering what to buy to take home and put in an empty stocking.
“‘Let’s stop here a moment,’ whispered the91 Fairy, poising on the top of a Christmas tree in front of a big store.
“Anna Belle, standing beside her, noticed that as she held on high her wand the star shone out so bright and beautiful the people below paused and gazed in wonder. The happy faces beamed even brighter and the unhappy ones changed instantly. ”

“ Janie received one from Dinah, and longed to swallow a dozen.
Then Dinah boiled a number of eggs, for which Janie tied up packages of salt and pepper, as these are necessary for every picnic. She then helped [59] to place the food on the pantry shelf, ready to pack in a hamper the next morning.
How tempting it looked! When they had squeezed lemons for lemonade and frozen the ice cream, they sat down to rest.
Dinah said it was to be a delightful picnic, given by the Queen to all the dolls and their mammas. Every little girl in the village was invited, and she did hope she had enough to eat! ”

“ Here the audience was much surprised to see the light-hearted creature turn a somersault down the slippery side of the globe and land in a nest of small dots.
“These are islands,” he announced, “and here the vines are planted in neat little rows three feet apart. Our grapes are like berries no larger than a pea, and grow in clusters about three inches long.
“When about three years old the vine produces bunches of three kinds; red, black, and white grapes without seeds. We play hide and seek under the large leaves which protect us from the strong winds and hot sun. ”

“ After putting everything away, Dinah got a dish, broke an egg into it (such a tiny egg, about as large as a bird’s) , and with a dear little egg-beater whisked it as light as a feather. Then she poured in some milk and added flour, with a little salt and baking-powder. Janie wondered what she was going to make and glanced at the range. “O joy! pancakes!” she cried, [23] as she spied the smoking hot griddle, the size of a small saucer.
Dinah put on the broiler and laid the steak carefully on it, cut a potato into dice and put it into a pan with a little cream ”

“ However, we have to make the best of it; the cool nights and heavy dews would ruin us if we stayed out, so we just cuddle up in the nice warm dark, and look forward to the moment when the big oven door will fly open, then we know something nice is to happen, for America sends millions of pounds of raisins to other countries, and we just love to go.
“The sun raisins are the kind used for Christmas goodies, and are packed between layers of paper in large wooden boxes. ”

“ Janie jumped up and almost dropped the syrup cup. She had been so busy over those darling cakes, that she had almost forgotten about her doll sitting opposite her at table.
“O you precious thing! I never can get used to hearing you talk. How many times I have played tea-party here with you, and had to do all the talking myself!” and she ran round [30] and gave her another hug. “Let’s go and tell papa and mamma about the breakfast,” she added ”

“ Now you have seen the Star, and I know all will be well.’
“Anna Belle seemed busily thinking, and the Fairy waited.
“‘The-attic is full of presents I didn’t want, and I have a lot of money I was going to use for the bracelet.’
“‘If you didn’t get it,’ laughed the Fairy.
“‘I don’t want it now. I’d rather use it for these poor little children. Elsie must have a doll. I have one, and a music box, and many “Readin’” books with pictures, but how can we get them to the places?’
“‘Fairies are stronger than you think. ”

“ Let us forget all wrongdoing and be happy. You have emptied your coffers but you are richer than ever.
“‘I do not want the gold. Let it lie a glittering pathway to the land of joy, where the children may dance and play to their hearts’ content.
“‘As long as we do right the Golden Portal will never close. Farewell.’
“With these words he turned and walked toward the mountain door. The parents hurried to their homes, to find the boys ordering out the wooden soldiers, and the dolls drowsily smiling into mother eyes and listen60ing to the far-away lullaby of the dear Pied Piper.” ”

“ Sometimes the things that seem all wrong are the grandest things that ever happened, and true it is, though it may seem hard to believe, this little fellow was really on the right side of the door after all. ”