The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-07-15
My Night Ledger.

Every person said l was a queer little
girl. l can, remember when they didn't
say that. But from all that l can learn
l was not a queer baby. l cried like
any other child, and was just as trouble
some, so the qu~eerness must have been
acquired.
I cannot discover wherein my queer
ness lies; when | ask my friends, they
say, "Why-well, you are different
from other folks" A very clear and
satisfactory definition.
This having the word "queer" at
tached to my name used to annoy me;
dolls were the only specimens of human
itv 10 whom l confessed this. To them
l col fided all my secrets and my mani
fold trials. They were attentive list
ners-never interrupted me. There was
Rosa, the very large one, she was my
prime favorite, and-oh, there were so
many OF them l cannot describe them.
When | was eleven years old Jul
folks tried to make me think | 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 l loved them. | used to go to my
room and, locking the door to keep my
f~un-lovlng brothers and sisters from in
truding, would play by the hour with
my miniature family. Another favor
tie resort of mine was the garnet. 1t
was full of boxes, barrels and chests,
containing old books, papers and letters.
Many of the letters were very ancient,
written by relatives Of whom l had
scarcely heard. There we're letters from
parents to children, from brothers to
sisters and love letters. The latter m
.erested me the most, although l thought
them rather silly. Isuppose l could not
appreciate the height and depth, and
length and breadth of the tender pas
sion.
Filling my pockets with apples, l
would take possession of the garnet and
some comfortable old chair, minus an
arm or rocker, and there l would sit for
hours, reading. I had a passion for
ghost stories, and stories of robbers and
pirates, although they used to brighten
me terribly. When in the midst of a
most frigh.ful story, down would tumble
a bundle of something from the r~afters,
making considerable noise, and leading
me to imagine the ghosts and the rob
bers had stepped from the book to the
garrett.
An old apple tree stood by n Of the
windows; it had the greatest faculty for
unearthly creaking and groaning, and
the lightning rod kept up a malicious
racket. l declare it is a wonder l didn't
lose my senses, reading SO much trash and
hearing such fearful sounds.
But this has nothing to do with my
"lodg,r." I believe I am becoming
garrulous.
In the first place I must tell you papa
was o rich farmer, and our neighbors
were STEW and tar between"
When l was in my twelfth year, papa
and mamma made up their minds to take
a trip to the far West. This was some
thing unusual; they seldom left home.
Well, they went, and my two sisters,
two brothers and myself, had a gay time
keeping house."
One day, all except myself and Jul
servant girl were invited to 60 to a din
ner party. l confess l dreaded to have
them 60.
"Kate, we will bring you any amount
Of candy said one.
Nov, pet, you know you and Sarah
can stay here just as well as not" said
another.
"Don't be a baby, Kitty" said a
third.
Finally l resignedly babe them "get
out CT my sight"
Sarah and 1 were good friends; she
told me stories and sang songs till | be-
gan to think it was quite a fine thing to
be left at home.
Tired of staying in the house, ]
tered down the front walk, and amused