Middletown transcript., 1876-09-23
Srleft Storp.
MY NIGHT LODGER.

MY NIGHT LODGER.
Every person said vas queer little
girl can't remember when they did
not say that From all that | can learn
I was not . queer baby | cried like
any other child. and was just as trouble.
some. so the queerness must have been
acquired
| cannot discover wherein my queer.
ness lies; when ask my friends. they
say, "Why-well. you are very differ
ent from other folks" A ysry clear
and satisfactory definition
This having the word "queer" at-
tached to my name used to annoy me
my dolls were the only specimens Of
humanity to whom | confessed this. To
them I confided oil my secretssands man.
fold trials They were attentive list
encrs-neyer interrupted me. There
vas .Rosa," the very large one. she
was my prime favorite. and-oh. there
were 20 many Of them | cannot describe
them all
When I was eleven years old our
folks tried to make me think l was too
old to play with dolls | used to go to
my room and, locking the door to keep
my fun-loying brothers and sisters from
intruding, / would play BY the hour
with my miniature family. Another
favorite resort OF mine was the garret
II was full Of boxes, barrels. and
closets. containing old papers. books
and letters. z
Many of the letters were ancient.
written BY relatives of whom I had
scarcely heard. There were letters from
parents to children, from brothers to
sisters, and love-letters. The latter in
terested me the most. although l thought
they were rather silly. | suppose !
could not appreciate the height and
depth. and length, and breadth Of the
tender passion.
Filling my pocket with apples,
would take possession Of the garret and
some comfortable chair. minus an arm
or rocker. and there | would sit for
hours. reading. | had . passion for
ghost stories, and stories Of robbers and
pirates, although they used to frighten
me terribly. When in the midst Of the
most frightful story. down would come
bundle Of something from the rafters,
making considerable noise and leading
me to imagine the ghost and the rob
bcrs had stepped from the Book 70 tie
garrett.
An Old apple treestood BY one ofths
| windows; il bad the greatest faculty for
nneafthly crelkihg and greaning. and
the lightning rod generally kept up
malicious racket.
declare it is wonder i didn't lose
my senses reading 50 much trash and
hearing SO many fearful sounds
But this had nothing to do with my
"lodger." !" I believe ! am becoming
garrulous.
In the first place. | must tell you
papa was wealthy farmer, and on,
neighbors were .'feW and far between.'
When / was in my twelfth year. paps
and mamma made up their minds Il
take pleasurc-trip to the Far West =
This was something unusual; they sci.
dom left home. Well. they went, and
my two sisters. two brothers and myself
had a gay time keeping house"
One day, all except myself and oul
servant girl were invited to : dinner.
party. confess / dreaded to have
them go.
Kate. we.will bring you homs any
amount Of candy
Nov. pet. you know you and Sally
can stay here just as well as not. =
Don't be baby. Kitty" were the
words directed to me-
Finally I resignedly bade them s'gel
out Of my sight"
Sally and we're good friends; she
told me stories and sang songs till | be.
| gan TO think twas . fine thing to be
left At home.
Tired Of staying 10 the house, saun.
/ tered down thefront walk. and amused
! myself BY indulging in forbidden pies.
sure, swinging on the gate 81
Looking down the road, / spied .
man coming slong + flew to The house
/ and, satisfied that ~ wss coming in, j
ran to Sally. SEEKING her dress will
both hands, | exclaimed:
"Oh, Sally there is dreadful look
ing man coming in" ,
She picked up the poker and wslket
to the door, while I. initiating her sx
ample, snstched stick of wood Sud
denly Sally cried !:
"You little goose. it is Bill Nc
Carty !"
Sure enough, it was Sally's beau
Her mother was very sick. and Nc
Carly was sent to bring Sally home i'm
mediately.
Here was dilemma. Sally didn'
want to leave me, and unless she start
ed home then. she might not see hel
mother alive. It was nearly time fo
the rest Of the folks to come home. so
managed to raise courage enough TO So
l was willing to remain alone
In few minutes Sally was of, and
was left In possession Of our great house