Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-06-27

capaclous arms, where she seemed q
mere speck of white and pink resting
against the black outlines OF his broad
chest. He would walk thus with hel
to and fire. hour after hour, conversine
with her for months before she could
lisp a word, and taking for satisfac
tory reply the understanding gaze o.
her great round unwinking eyes
And the companionship of the pail
continued without interruption, chang
ing only in its character as the babe
developed into girlhood and woman.
hood, to each of which stages the old
man adjusted himself with instructive
nicely.
Mrs. Dater had wisely encouraged
Daddy Wills devotion to her daugh.
ter, and for double reason she had
the highest respect for his simple bul
acute wisdom, for his unbending pro-
bity, and for his staunch family at.
tachment and allegiance and she
knew that Hates budding frame and
glowing intelligence would be strength.
ened by just such training and exer.
else as the vigorous old soldier would
insure to both. And Mrs. Dater's
sagacity was not at fault, as was
shown on at least one occasion, the
incidents of which seem worth recit.
ing.
When Kate was eight years old
she was very lovely in person and dis
position but withal, as a child in
perfect health ought to be, as active
and mischieyous as a monkey. She
was naturally loving and docile; but
one day, in moment of yexation or
disappointment caused by some direc-
ton of her mothers which she did not
relish, she rushed out of the room in a
gust of passion, looking like little
fury. In an instant, however, she
was arrested conscience stricken by
the sight of Daddy Will standing be-
fore her and looking very grave and
sorrowful. He had been an unob-
served spectator of her ebulIision, and
when she was stopped in her head
long course by his accusing face, she
was filled with remorse She felt
that Daddy Will did not approve OF
her, did not even pity or excuse her +;
and as the two stood for brief in
slant in dead silence, she seemed, in
her pretty self-abasement-her head
bowed and her arms hanging listlessly
at her side-the impersonation of
shame springing into life at the touch
OF conscience, but without any stain
of guilt.
Daddy Will broke the silence
which was so dreadful to poor Kate.
Miss Cath'rine 7 he exclaimed.
He had never before called her by
any other name than Little Apple
Blossom the pet one he had given
her when she lay newborn in her
mothers arms; and at the unwonted
formality she burst into tears.
Miss Cath'rine = he repeated, in a
tone of reproachful astonishment, at
the same time taking her hand, and
with frigid politeness leading her, an
unresisting culprit, into the room
known as her 'Grandfather's Library
Ills first words after arriving there
somewhat treasured the little crimi-
nal, though his tones relaxed nothing
of their formal severity.
Miss Cath'rine,' he said, swill
pleas fetch old masters big prayer
book
There it lay on the library table,
the large Book Of Common PRAYER
that had belonged to Colonel Dater,
and was treasured family memento
of its venerated owner. With noise
less and timorous steps Kate obeyed,
and returning with the volume, placed
it on the old mans knee, as he sat
In his masters great arm. char and
motioned her beside him.
Miss Cath'rine will please find de
Ten Commandments he said.
Silently and deity, for, like all
children reared in the Protestant
Episcopal Church, she was perfectly
familiar with every part of it's unri.
vailed prayer book, Kate turned to
the office for the Holy Communion, and
laid it open before them.
Miss Cath'rine will please to read
here, he resumed. placing his forefn-
ger on the page, where, to the quick
ened fancy of the self convicted Child
it seemed huge exclamation point
denoting reproach and condemnation.
TREMENDOUSLY she began: ssGod
spake these words and said
'WHo spoke desc words % grayely
interrupted Daddy Will
God said Kate, in low whisper.
'Jis So he reverently rejoined de
Lord God Almighty said 'em. Please
put your finger 'longside O. mine,
Miss Cath'rine, under dose words of
de Lord
The child's tiny pearl and rose fore.
finger stole meekly alongside of Dad
dy Willis great dark index and then
the Two fingers moved slowly down.
ward together over the page, to the
first commandment, where they stop
ped, and the child again read the in
spired words.
'Who spoke desc words p again
asked Daddy Will.
'Jis SO; de Lord said 'em' he re-
sponded. And so with each of the
commandments, until the fifth was
reached, when he put the question
once more with special emphasis
Who spoke desc words?' receiving
again the same response from the
absorbed child.
'Jis so; Sod spake desc words, an
said'-Read 'em with me, Miss Cath
'rine.'
In low and irreverent tones the two
read the commandment aloud to-geth
err, Daddy viii emphasizing certain
of the words as they read, thus: sHou-
or Thy father and thy mother that TIA
days may be long in tie land which
The Lord thy God giveth thee
The little pink finger and the huge
black index came to full stop under
this commandment, and Daddy Will,
like relentless fate, resumed:
Oats what de Lord promises dose
children who honor their father and
their mother-their days shall be long
IN do land Rut Miss Catb,rina IIo