DOTTY'S VERSES.
By the time Alice Parlin was three years old she could prattle like a bobolink, and thought herself quite as old and wise as either of her sisters. Every Sunday morning it made her very wretched to see Susy and Prudy set out, with bright faces, for Sabbath school!
"Mayn't me go, too?" said she, plaintively. "Me's got the coop; must go to Sabber school!"
"O," replied Prudy, snatching a kiss from her pouting lips, "if you've got the croup you certainly can't go."
Dotty shook her curls. "Coop's went off now. Dotty'll go, all o' you."
"O, no, little sister; you'll stay at home and look at your pictures. That's the way I did when I was little."
"You mustn't contraspute," cried Dotty, shaking her elbows. "I is goin' to Sabber school." Then suddenly showing her dimples, she added with a bright smile, "'Cause I's your comfort, you know, Prudy, your darlin', precious little comfort; isn't I, Prudy?"
"Dear me," thought tender Prudy, "the poor little thing always has to stay at home. I'll ask mother to let her go with me next time. It is right for me to ask, for I'm sure I don't want her to go; so it isn't selfish!"
Mrs. Parlin had a great many doubts as to Dotty's good behavior, but at last consented. She felt pretty safe to trust her with Prudy, who was very patient, and had even now a memory longer than Susy's.
Before the time came to start for Sabbath school, Dotty stood a long while before the mirror, looking up at her gay hat and down at her cunning gaiters. She liked nice clothes, and it pleased her to see herself so prettily dressed.