The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-08-09
MY NIGHT LODGER.

MY NIGHT LODGER.
Every person said was queer little
girl. I can't remember when they did
not say that. From all that can learn, 1
was not queer baby. I cried like any
other child, and was just as troublesome,
so the queerness must have been ac-
quired
cannot discover wherein my queer
ness lies; when L ask my friends, they
say, Why-well, you are different from
other folks" A very clear and satisfac-
tory 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 I confessed this. To
them I confded all my secrets and my
manifold trials. They were attentive
listeners interrupted me. There
was "Rosa," the very large one she
was my prime fayorite and, oh! there
were so many of them cannot describe
them.
When I was II years old our folks tried
to make me think I was too old to play
with dolls. I felt as though life would
have no pleasures for me were my dolls
taken from me. No one knows how 1
loved them. [ used to go to my room,
and, locking the door to keep my fun
loving brothers and sisters from intrud-
ing, I would play by the hour with my
miniature family. Another favorite re-
sort of m1ue WIS the garnet. 1t was full
of boxes, barrels and chests, containing
old papers, books and letters.
Many of the letters were very ancient.
written by relatives of whom I had
parents to children, from brothers to
sisters, and love-letters. The latter in
terested me the emost, although I thought
they were rather silly. L suppose 1
could not appreciate the height and
depth and length and breadth of the
tender passion.
Filling my pockets with apples, I
would take possession of the garret and
some comfortable old chair, minus an
arm or recker, an d there would sit for
hours, reading. I had a passion for ghost
stories and stories of robbers and pirates,
although they used to frighten me terri
bly,. When III the midst of a most fright
full story, down would tumble bundle
of something from the rafters, making
considerable noise, and leading me to
imagine the ghosts and robbers had
stepped from the book to the garret.
An old apple-tree stood by one of the
windows; it had the greatest faculty for
unearthly creaking and groaning, and
the ightning-rod generally kept up a
malicious racket.
declare it is a wonder [ didn't lose
my senses reading SO much trash and
hearing so many fearful sounds.
But this has nothing to do with my
"lodger." l believe 1 am becoming
garrulous.
In the first place, I must tell you
papa was a wealthy farmer, and our
neighbors were "few and far between. +"
When was in my 18th year, papa
and mamma made up their minds to
take pleasure-trip to the "Far West .
This was something unusual; they sell
dom left home. Well, they went, and
my twos listers, two brothers and myself
had gay time excepting house."
One day, all except myself and our
servant-girl were invited to go to a din
ner-party. I confess I dreaded to have
them go.
&c Kate, we viii bring you any amount
of candy"
Now, pet, you know you and Sally
can stay here just as well as not
"Don't be a baby, Kitty" were the
words directed to me-
Finally, I resignedly bade them So get
out of my sight.
Sally and I were good friends; she
told me stories and sang songs, till I be-
gan to think it was quite fine thing
to be left at home.
Tired of staying in the house, I saun-
tered down the front walk, and amused
myself by indulging IN forbidden
pleasure swinging on the gate.
/ Looking down the road, L spied a man
coming along. 1 flew to the house, and,
satisfied that he was coming In, ran to
Sally. Selling her dress with both
hands, I exclaimed:
90, Sally, there is a dreadful-lookine
man coming in !"
Sally picked up the poker and walked
to the door, while I, initiating her ex-
ample, snatched stick of wood. Sud
denly Sally cried:
"You little goose, it is Bill McCarty.
Sure enough, it WAS Sally's beau.
Her mother was very sick, and McCarty
was sent TO bGing Sally home immedi
ately.
In few minutes Sally was OFF, and