The story
Her parents said she was a darling. The long suffering servants thought otherwise. From the time that she could first crawl and talk she had had her own way. Her nurse did not like her. The little girl never obeyed, but always argued and protested. She smashed her toys, tore her clothes, and screamed so her sick mother took a turn for the worst. Her parents, however, were satisfied she would outgrow her unpleasant habits, and sure enough she did. One evening the nurse rushed into her room, attracted by the cries of the child. She had tumbled out of bed, but strange to say she was not peevish. She apologized to the nurse for causing any trouble and altogether was so sweet that the nurse was convinced the child was seriously ill. Her father questioned her, and the little one told him of the remarkable conduct of her newest and biggest doll. It seems that the doll came to life, treated the little girl as she had treated her nurse, made life a misery to her and taught her that selfish people cause much unnecessary suffering. So the little girl firmly decided to be good in the future. What did the family do? Well, the mother wept and said that she feared her darling was too good to live. The doll really knew what had happened, but she never said a word. It is hard to get dolls to talk, even though they have been known to wink when pleased.
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 5 April 1913
