The daily gazette., 1879-12-13
MY NIGHT LODGER.
BY M. s. R.

Every person said was queer little
girl. l can't remember when they did
not say that. FROM all that can learn,
l was not queer baby. l cried like any
other child, and was just as troublesome,
90 the queerness must have been ac-
quired.
cannot discover wherein my queer
ness lies; when ak my friends, they
say:
"Why-well, you are different from
other folks"
A very clear and satisfactory defini-
ton!
This having the word "queer" attach.
ed to my name used to annoy me my
dolls were the only specimens of human
confided all my secrets and all my
manifold trials.
They we're attentive listeners-never
interrupted me. There was "Rosa," the
very large one, she was my prime favor.
ite, and-oh, there were so many OF
them, cannot describe them all.
When was eleven years cid, our
folks tried to make me think l was too
old to play with dolls. felt as though
life would have no pleasure for me were
my dolls taken from me. No one
knows how loved them, used to 20
to my room, and, locking the door TO
keep my fun-lOving brothers and sisters
from intruding, 1 would play by the hour
with my miniature family. Another IA
vorite resort of mine was the garret. It
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 l had
scarcely heard. There were letters from
parents to children, from brothers TO sis
ters, and love letters. The latter inter-
ested me most, although thought they
were rather silly. l suppose could not
appreciate the hight and depth, length
and breadth, of the tender passion.
Filling my pockets with apples, l
would take possession of the garret and
some comfortable old chair, minus All
arm or a rocker, and there would sit
for hours reading. had passion for
ghost stories, and stories of robbers and
pirates, although they used to frlehten
me terribly. When in the midst Of the
most frightful story down would tumble
bundle Of something from the rafters,
making considerable noise, and leading
me to i'm agine the ghosts and the rob-
bers had stepped from the book to the
garret. An old apple tree stood by one
| of the windows; it had the greatest fac
| ,llty for unearthly creaking and groanine
and the lightning rod generally kept up
q malicious racket.
l declare it is wonder that l 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 l am becoming gar.
rulous.
In the first place 1 must tell you paps
was wealthy farmer, and our neighbol:
were STEW and far between"
When was in my twelfth year, papa
and mamma made up their minds to take
apleasure trip to the "Far West" Thi:
was something unusual. They seldom
left home. Well, they went, aud my
two sisters, two brothers and myself hat
gay time excepting house."
One day, all, except myself and oul
servant g'rl were invited to dinnel
party. l confess l dreaded to have then
60.
"Kate, we will bring you any amour,
of candy"
"Now, pet, you know you and Sally
can stay here just as well as not"
"Don't be a baby, Kitty" were tn,
words directed to me.
Finally, resignedly bade them ge
out of my sight.
Sally and were good friends. She
told me stories and sang songs till be
gan to think it was quite fine thing tt
be left at home.
Tired of staying In the house, saun
tered down the front walk, and amused
myself by indulging in forbidden pleao
ure-swinging on the gate.
Looking down the road, spied maj
coming along, flew to the house, ant
satisfied that he was coming In, 1 ran tt
Sally. Seizing her dress with both hand.
exclaimed:
"Oh, Sally! there is dreadful looking
man coming H."
Sally picked up the poker aud walked
to the door. while, 1, initiating her ex.
ample, snatched stick of wood. Sud
denly Sally cried:
"You little goosie II Is Billy McCar
thy"
Sure enough, 1t was Sally's beau. He
mother was very sick, and McCarth,
was sent to bring Sally home immediate
ly.
Here was dilemma. Sally didn't wan
to leave me, and unless she started HON,
then, she might not see her mother al We
1t was nearly time for the rest of the
folks to come home, SO 1 managed tt
raise courage enough to say 1 was will.
ing to remain alone.
In few minutes Sally was off, and
was left In possession Of our grea
house, which never seemed SO large Il
me. tried to read, but 1t was impossi
BILE; all the murder stories L had eve
heard came to my mind.
remembered that none of our doors
strange ideas, declared locks were o nui
sance. felt that was doomed.
went out to the yard, and, to my dis
m ay, discovered that the sky was over
cast, and storm near at hand. coult
see the rain comm &; faster and faster l
came; 1t was soon at the house. Oh, how
1t did RAIN!
On each side of our yard was brook
pretty and peaceable In IleasaE wealth
er, but q worry little ram transformed
them both into raging torrents. As
stood at the window, l saw first ont
bridge, and then the other, swept off.
knew now that 1 must stay alone al
night; 1t would be impossible for my
brothers and sisters to get home.
Travellers, or, as Sally called them
.'trampers," often stopped at our hous'
over night, as there was no public hous,
near. To my horror | now saw one O
them coming across the fields. Sho aid
hide? No, that was not to be though
of. Without stopping to knock, tn
great rough man walked in.
"Can stay here all nightY
r. t.v n,