The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-03-12
LITTLE MISS SIMMONS.

"I want to see the person in charge"
These were the words that saluted
the ear of distinguished officer who
rrcsides at a West-sde police station.
The Officer turned and teheli little
girl Of about nine years IF age, standing
upon tiptoc, so as to rest her chin upon
the railing, the better 10 get at him.
She was very neatly dressed but in a
sort of old-womanish way that struck
me as odd, though not at all outland-
ish. Her hat strings were tied with a
Quaker-like precision under her chin,
and there was dlgnifled look to her
face strangely in contrast with her
years.
"Wen," asked the oticer, what do
you want ?" go
care you the person in charse?'
inquired the child.
Yes"
81 am Miss Simuons," she said, very
seriously. Tie young officer smiled
slightly, but again inquired what she de-
sired. You sce," she continued with
great gravity, these boys are giving me
lots of trouble. have stood it as long
as can"
What boys ?" asked the officer.
The boys in the neighborhood," said
Miss Simmons, giving her place of resi-
dencc. "Some Of them ara big ones,
too and ought to know better
"why do they trouble you?" asked
the officer.
"It's in them," said Miss Simmons (;
II guess it's in all boys"
"What do they do9" queried the Of
6cer.
They throw torpedoes against the
window, and then they come the Dutch
dbl trick" she replied.
"What is that 2"
ats making ghcst out of pillow
and sheet and brooms,ick, and the n
they stick it inside the doors, or up
against the windows, and groan, she
replied. -,
And does this frisbten you?'' asked
he.
mo, sir, I am not afraid Of their
tricks; but when am not there they
come, you know, and scare Nathau' you
see"
"Who is Nathan ?"
HE is my papa, sir, who lives with
me, because he has no home OF his own:
"Oh, he lives with you, does no !!
said the official; "and he's your father!
Yes, sir"
"And why doesn't he go out and
drive the boys away?'
BLESS YOU" said Miss Simmons
smiling at the officers innocence, "he
wouldn't drive away anybody. He il
as weak as kitten"
$50 when you are not at home he Is
afriad. is hc.9"
"Yes, and sometimes when l am al
home and the boys come round shoot
ing their torpedoes and groaning he
botbers me so hanging on to me, that
can't work" ..
,, "What do you do, Miss Simmons {"
, said the officer, leaning forward and get
ting interested.
II am a dressmaker," returned The
child, land sometimes | make work
shirts and overal!s."
a "And do you get plenty to do 2
Pretty plenty, though these are hare
n times; don't you think so?' said she
i with great air Of business.
YES, they are, truly" said the Off
Ger. Miss Simmons, I'll call down t.
see YOU, and promise these boys Shal
cease troubling you"
The child thanked him, and turpin;
round walked quietly out. 1t was pain
full as well as amusing to see her. Their
was no gleam of childshncss in he
blue eye, no skipping along the side
walk with the the exuberant step O
. youth. IF she had ever known child
lite she gave no evidences Of it then
, but seemed one on whom years of sa
: experience had been laid while yet sh
Il was almost in heI cradle.
The officer visited her house an
6 found it as she bad said. Her fathe
u had lost the use of his limbs in grea
n measure, and from one cause and anC
IS tbcr was imbecilc and helpless. Ii
n watched her as babe watches its INC
l. ther, ready to smile when she petit
e him, but as ready to whine piteousl
if she denied him attention. 1t was
the morning when the officer visited tn
house, but he found the two little room