Madeline Leslie

“ He meant that he wanted a fig.
"Has he had a fig this morning?" asked mamma.
"Yes, ma'am," said nurse. "Willie came in eating one, and Frankie cried for it. So Willie [77] gave it right up to him, though he had only taken one mouthful. I think he is the generousest boy, ma'am, that I ever see."
Mamma smiled, and seemed very happy when she heard this. You know nothing makes mammas so happy as to know that their little boys and girls are good. She said to herself, "Dear child, I will give him another when he comes in." ”

“ FRANKIE'S BROTHER WILLIE.
It was a long time before Ponto became reconciled to see Frankie in his jumper. He barked loud and long, as if he was afraid his little friend would hurt himself, tied up in so strange a manner. But baby grew every day more fond of this exercise; and as soon as he saw his mother take the jacket, he would spring [38] so that she could hardly hold him still enough to fasten the buttons tightly to the wooden frame. One day, when he and his mamma were alone in the nursery, he grew very sleepy, and at last his little head nodded down, down, quite upon his breast. ”

“ His little fingers were covered with squash, and mamma had to ring the bell for Margie to bring the sponge and wash them.
The next day, when papa held down his head to ask God to [58] bless the food, Frankie bent his face down to the table, and muttered over something. I suppose he thought he too was praying.
"Will God care?" asked Willie. "Baby don't know that it is naughty to pray so."
"God never expects children to behave any better than they know how," replied mamma. ”

“ Then she [78] took Frankie in her arms, and told nurse to go and eat her own breakfast. She tucked the bib nicely around his neck, and then she began to feed him. But, as Sally said, he would not let it down, but spit it all over his clothes and mamma's hand. "Patty want pig," he said again.
"No, darling, you must eat your breakfast now," said mamma. "Though it is not so sweet as a fig, it is very good, and will [79] make my little boy grow and be strong, so that he can run out to play like Willie."
"Patty want pig, mamma," said the baby, putting up his hand to pat mamma's face. ”

“ When he opened the door he saw his little boy fastened to a long pole, which swung about the room like a crane, and mamma on her knees trying to teach him to touch his little toes [33] to the floor, and make himself dance. There, too, were Jane, the cook, and Sally, the nurse, laughing, while Margie and Willie were clapping their hands every time Frankie gave a spring. ”

“ Wallace, was a noble fellow, and he should be glad if their little Frankie made as good a man. Then papa danced around the room, "to give his boy a little exercise," he said, "and make him grow." But mamma screamed, and was afraid so much shaking would take away her baby's breath. ”

“ His hair had not been combed for many days; his face was very [84] dirty where the tears had run down over his thin, pale cheeks; his clothes were soiled and torn; but the lady pitied him very much. When she found he had no mamma, and that his papa was at work a great way off, she wrapped her shawl about the poor baby, and took him home in her carriage.
"First of all she gave him a cup of milk to drink, and then she told nurse to bring some [85] warm water in a tub, and some soap and towels, for she was going to wash the poor baby. ”

“ About a week after this, there came one day a man on horseback riding up to the front door. He jumped briskly down upon the wide stone step, and rang the bell with a loud, quick jerk, [10] which seemed to say, I am in a hurry. ”