4 THE ACORN. Next morning- she walked to the Post Office and mailed the letter, and as she came back she called in to see Mrs. Curtis. She was always a welcome visitor, and on going in she found them discussing whether they should have a New Year's dinner, as had always been the custom with the Curtis family. Poor Mrs. Curtis did not feel that she could undertake to prepare a dinner for guests, for now the New Year days were not like they were before Rowena went away; there was a sad, lonely feeling, which seemed to grow stronger each year, taking away all her ambition. But Mr. Curtis was unwilling to give up the old custom, and now that Mrs. Lane was there he suddenly, as though the idea had just struck him, asked her if she would assist in the preparations for that day. Thinking this would all be to her advantage to further her plans, she decided to assist them for a few days. The next week when Aunty Lane came to begin her labors she brought with her a handsome little boy about four years of age, who soon won the hearts of the entire family. He was the child of a friend who was staying with her,' was all the explanation Mrs. Lane gave them. She brought him each day, and as Mr. Curtis was now through with all work and had a great deal of leisure time, he spent many hours playing with the child; putting him on his shoulder and running about the room with him, then letting him ride on his foot. One day the little fellow, catching hold of the long, gray beard, exclaimed: "You look like my grandpapa." "Is that so," said Farmer Curtis; "where does he live?" "I don't know," was the reply, "but I love you better than him, 'cause he can't ride me on his shoulders." Farmer Curtis thought the grandfather must be an invalid, and was pleased with the child's preference. He had no idea, at the time, that he was talking to his own grandchild, or that the absent grandfather was a picture of himself, valued very dearly by the daughter. So he answered, "I will be your grandpapa while . you are here." Everything was going on just as Aunty Lane had wished, and one day she brought with her the baby a little THE ACORN. 5 curly haired girl of two years. The little boy had been dear to them, but the baby became dearer, and in a very short time was the pet of all New Year's was drawing near, and as this was the last day of the preparations, Mrs. Lane brought the two children with her, and just as she was leaving to return home, Mr. Curtis asked her to bring the mother of the children, saying "she must be very beautiful to have such lovely children." "I think she would be pleased to come; we are going for a walk in the evening and will call as we go home," Mrs. Lane answered. So the next day brought Mrs. Lane with the children and their mother. Imagine, if you can, the result of this meeting. The poor old father was simply overcome with joy and the mother's feelings can better be thought of than described. So it is best just to add that they did not return to Mrs. Lane's; they could not be spared for even one moment. A note was sent to Dr Bradley, who came immediately, and a happier family than sat down to that dinner, was not to be found; but none felt a deeper sense of satisfac- tion and thankfulness, than did the one who had been the cause of the reconciliation, as she watched the grandfather introduce to the guests his dear children. At the close of the day's pleasures, Farmer Curtis grasped the hand of his old friend, saying, "Blessed are the peace makers." Kathryn King, '08. THE MODERN HIAWATHA- He killed the noble Mudjokivis Of the skin he made him mittens, Made them with the fur side inside, Made them with the skin side outside He, to get the warm side inside Put the inside skin side outside. He, to get the cold side outside Put the warm side fur side inside. That's why he put the fur side inside, Why he put the skin side outside Why he turned them inside outside. Ex,