Baby Nightcaps Part 4

Will you take her with you, and restore her to her home?"

"Certainly, I will, poor little darling," said the kind lady; and the door was opened, and Susy tenderly lifted in, and placed on the lady's lap.

The little old gentleman kissed Susy, and thanked the ladies; then taking off his hat, he made them a low bow, and then they drove away.

"Can you tell me where you live?" said the lady.

"Oh, yes; I live with mamma and papa," said Susy, "and my kitty, and my doll; we all live together."

The lady smiled, and said--"Well, dear, we'll try to find them."

So they rode on a little way, and soon came where the houses were nearer each other. Susy looked out of the carriage window, and did not cry any more; because she thought she would very soon see her dear mamma.

Suddenly she screamed--"Mamma! mamma! here is Susy." Sure enough! there was a lady hurrying along; looking in every direction. As soon as she heard Susy, her face lost its troubled expression, and she ran to the carriage door, and opened it, caught her little child, and hugged her to her breast, and said--"Oh, my darling! my darling! Thank G.o.d you are safe!" and then she burst into tears--tears of joy and grat.i.tude.

The kind ladies told her how Susy had strayed away into the green lane; and how the little deaf old gentleman had given her to them to take home; and Susy's mother thanked them again, and again; and carried her precious child home.

What a kissing Susy got that evening from her father! and how glad he was that his little girl was there to bring him his slippers! They did not get angry with her--of course not! Dear me! who ever heard of such a thing? She did not _mean_ to do wrong; she had just wandered off, singing a little song, and talking to herself, and picking the pretty b.u.t.ter-cups that grew in the gra.s.s; and when she looked up, she could not see her home; she only saw the little old gentleman that she called "Grandpa."

So her papa and mamma talked kindly to her, and kissed her, and made her promise that she would not go so far again--never!

never! never! which little Susy was very glad to do, for she had no idea of losing her dear parents. No, indeed.

But after that, she saw the little deaf old gentleman very often; and he grew to love little Susy dearly; and though they did not talk to each other, they smiled; and he always had something in his pocket for her. Guess what it was? Candy?

Yes, that was the very thing.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The three friends.]

Sometimes he would come to her house, riding on a nice old white horse; and Susy would run out and smooth down his nose; the horse's nose I mean; and the old white horse liked it very much; he would not have bitten her little hand for a thousand dollars; and ever after that Susy, and the little old gentleman, and the old white horse, were called--"The Three Friends;" and that's the end of this story; rorum corum torum. How do you like it?

THE END.