Little Ferns For Fanny's Little Friends Part 24

Now here's Aunt f.a.n.n.y's creed, and you may read it to your mother if you like.

I believe in great round apples and _big_ slices of good plain gingerbread for children.

I believe in making their clothes loose enough to enable them to eat it all, and jump round in when they get through.

I believe in not giving away their little property, such as dolls, kites, b.a.l.l.s, hoops, and the like, without their leave.

I believe in not promising them a ride, and then forgetting all about it.

I believe in not teasing them for amus.e.m.e.nt, and then punishing them for being "troublesome."

I believe in not allowing Bridget and Betty to box their ears because the pot boils over, or because their beaux didn't come the evening before.

I believe in sending them to school where there are backs to the benches, and where the schoolma'am has had at least "_one_ offer."

I believe no house can be properly furnished with out at least a _dozen_ children in it.

I believe little children to be all that is left us of Paradise; and that any housekeeper harboring a person who "don't like them," had better _count up her silver, without loss of time_!

THE END