Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-05-08
BROWN LITTLE HETTY.

IN allls. -,
She had opened the door the least lit
tle bit in the world, to see if there was
INV prospect Of it's clearing up. but the
rn:h Of wind and rain that swept IN al
he crevice compelled her to close il
agan almost simultaneously.
II was little brown house, on the
edge of the lonely Western forest-a
brown house, with sloping caves and a
bav window, and a dooryard full of
roses, whose crimson clusters cleaned
faint y in the late autumn twilight.
Doctor Wallis lived here-Doctor Wal
is, who had come West, with his two
daughters, scarcely six months ago, and
who was the only physician in radius
Of thirty good miles around.
Hetty stood by the fire, one foot on
the fender, her dark, dreamy eyes fixed
on the red glow of the burning logs.
sbyl, the other sister, lay luxuriously
back in cushioned easy chair, waiting
Tor the lamps to be lighted before she
went on with q bit OF Berlin woodwork
in her lap.
Sibyl Wallis was rosecheeked, scar
et-lpped beauty-one of those fair
human flowers, which, like the lilies of
Solomon, are destined neither to toll
nor to spin.
Doctor Wallis was poor man, and
kept no servants: but no one ever ex-
pected Sibyl to do any of the rough and
1isagreeable Offices consequent upon
housekeeping.
Sibyl busted the parlors, kept the
vases full of flowers, washed the tea
china and did up her own pretty laces
ind pocket handkerchiefs; and Hetty,
khe second daughter-a brown little elf,
With jetty hair growing low on her fore
head, and colorless olive skin-cheer-
billy undertook the prosaic part of life,
IS if it were her natural inheritance.
"To think of poor papa out in all
bis tempest?' said Hetty, mourn
billy.
Gentlemen don't mind such things"
bid Sbyl, serenely. "And, of course,
Is Just what doctor might expect"
"HushH' said Hetty, suddenly turn
hg her head in quick, bird-like fashion.
Some one is knocking at the back
1oor."
Perhaps you'd better 60 and see who
IS" remarked Sibyl, serenely.
1t was q man all wrapped up in oil
Fkln, until nothing more than the tip of
very red nose was visible.
ION, | say, MISS" said the dripping
INSTANT where's the doctor?'
HE isn't in," said Hetty.
Where's Doctor Wallis?" reiterated
the man.
Hes out" answered Hetty, speak
ing loud and distinctly, under the i'm
preston that the inquirer was deaf.
IT'S Dakin's boy" said the man:
hes choking to death w
On said Hetty. "Croup, l sup
pose?"
Don't know what it is" said the
messenger. "Ain't no doctor myself.
All know is that must bring back
Doctor Wallis" said he, with a nod at
MS lumber wagon at the gate.
Hetty.
Inc man stood q moment, shifting
from one foot to the other evidently in
quandary.
I'm blamed if know what to do. F."
sald he. well, I'll tell-ee VIII at, miss !
lou Just send the doctor on to Dakin's
i y as quick as he comes back. If
DaHins boy chokes to death, it amt no
lauIt of mine."
AND away rambled the wagon into the
mist and twilight.
:. 1t had hardly disappeared when a
NIUE lad arrived with a note for Hetty.
>, It's from papa" said Hetty, hurri-
guy opening it, and reading aloud the
following brief message:
DEAR GIRLs,-Old Eldwood is very
Eau, and l shall be detained all night.
LOCK- up the house as usual, and don't
expect me until / come. Affectlonately,
uo, H. W."
On, DEAR" said Hetty. blanklv;
child?" ' VI lam" .
l never saw such girl as YOU.
netty," said lovely Sibyl, with a pettish
contraction of the brows. you're al
Ways shouldering other peoples trou-
i Gies. What is Dakin's child to us. I'd
Ike to know" y
But only think of it, Sibyl," said
i;.. etly. clasping her hands; "a dear
1 n baby suffocating to death, all for
want OF the simplest remedies"
-; we can't help it," said Sibyl. set
e,lng back composedly among her
II nut am not so sure of that" said
.Ie.'y, orlskly. know the remedies
70 uses for case Of Group and how
" use them. I'll go myself"
you crazy9" "'0
ord; Hfa.y!, said Hetty. "No, I'm only
a.; oiinariiy human. The child shan't
oie II lean help it."
'ne went TO her. fathers drug closet,