The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-07-10
SIMS LITTLE GIRL.
MARY HARTWELL.


"Come out here, George Burks. Put
that glass down-can't wait a minute.
Business particular concerns the Com
pany."
Nov I've got you by the arm, boy,
I want to tellyou something. Then ifyou
want to go back into that saloon, you
may"
81 don't often meddle in other folks
business, do I? When tough old fell
low like me sets out to warn body, you
may know its because he sees sore need
oft: I've had an eye on you ever since
the Company promoted you to an en-
CINE, and [ want you to make fair trip
of your life. You're a fine, bright
youngster, I don't never say things to
compliment.
"Just takin' drinks for good fellow
ship"
"Yes, / know all bout that. Been
there myself. Sit down on the edge of
the platform here
"Of all the men in the world, take
it, engineers ought to be the last to touch
the bottle. We have life and property
trusted to our hands uncommon Ours
is grand business, don't think folks
look at it as they ought to. Remember
when I was young fellow like you, just
set up with an engine, used to feel like
q strong angel or somethin'. rushin'
over the country. maxim that iron beast
do just as wanted him to. The power,
sort of made me think last, square up
and feel much of man.
was doin' well when L married.
and did well long after wards. We had
a nice home, the little woman and me
our hearts was set On each other, and
she was little proud of her engineer.
She used to say so anyhow. She was
sort of mild and tender with her tongue.
Not one of your loud ones. And pretty,
too. But you know what lit is to love
woman, George Burks, | saw you walk
in. with blue-eyed little thing last
Sunday.
"And after awhile, we had the little
girl. How felt when came home and
they put her into my arms the first
time! 1 looked sort of silly and sort of |
glad My wife, she just laughed out
loud. to see me handle that thing so
orkardly.
Il never liked little children much,
but / took to that 'un powerful. Every
body took to her.
George, boy, did you ever take time
to 60 and peep at young ferns lin the |
spring. You see 'em all doubled to-
gether, like teenty fist. That's what
she was at first: all fist and squirm;
beauty curled up tight. Then they I'M
fold and spread out and come up bright
and delicate, and fner'n you can put
into words. That's just the way she did.
Every night come home. | found her
growed and plumpened out more. Used
to toss her up, and she'd squeal like a
squirrel. and come down on my face in
fits of laughter.
"Oh, 1 daresn't think about her cum
ningness! But the very first word she
learned to say was papal
"We talked a good deal about what
we should call her. my wife and l. We
went clean through the Bible. and set
down all the fine story names we heard
of. But nothin seemed to suit. fused |
TO puzzle the whole length of my route,
to find out name for that little girl.
Ny wife wanted to call her Eudora Isa-
bel. But that sounded like folderrol.
Then we had up Rebeccar, and Maud,
and Amanda Ann and what not. FL
nally, whenever I looked at der, / seem
ed see Katie. She looked Katie. l
took to calm her Katie. land she learned
1t, 30 Katie she was.
81 tell you. George. that was child
to be noticed. She was rounder and
prettier made n wax fgger, her eyes
was bigger and blaeker n any grown
woman's you eyer saw, set like stars
under her forehead; and her hair was
that light kind that all runs to curls and
glitter.
Soon's she could toodle, she used to
come dancin' to meet me. I've spoiled
. many of her white pinafores. bury;n'
my face in them before was washed, /
and sort of prayin' soft like under the
roof Of my heart, God bless my baby
God bless my little lamb!'
As she grew older, used to talk to
her about engin'-eyen took her into my
cab. and showed her the 'tachments of
the engine. and learned her signals aud
such things. She tuck such an interest,
and was the smartest little thinxl Seem
ed Is if shs had always knowed 'em.
ebh lukeA 10 paa. Ftmsmbsr her