The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-07-02
MY NIGHT LODGER.

Every person said was queer little
girl. can't remember when they did
not say that But from all that can
learn, was not queer baby. cried
like any other child, and was quite as
Troublesome, so the queerness must have
been acquired.
| 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 satisfac-
tory definitionl
This having the word "queer" at
tached to my name used to annoy me;
my dolls were the only specimens Of hu-
manity TO whom I confessed this To
them ] confded all my secrets and my
manifold trials. They were attentive lis
teners-never interrupted me. There
was Rosa, the very large one, she was
my prime favorite, and-oh, there were
SO many of them cannot describe them.
When / was eleven years old our 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 knowing
how loved them I used to go To my
room and, locking the door to keep my
fun-loving brothers and sisters from in
truding, would play by the hour with
my miniature family. Another favorite
resort Of mine was the gairet. It was
full of boyos, barrels and chests, contain
ing o.; papers, books and letters. Many
= the letters were very ancient, written
by relatives of whom / had scarcely
heard. There were letters from parents
.Jchildren, from brothers to sisters, and
love-letters. The latter interested me the
most, although | thought they were
rather silly. ] suppose / could not ap-
preciate the height and depth, and
length and breadth, of the tender pas
sion.
Filling my pockets with apples,
would take possession Of the garTet and
some comfortable old chair, minus an
nrm or rocker, and there 1 would sit fol
hours, reading. / had passion foI
ghost stories, and stories of robbers and
pirates, although they used to frighteIl
me terribly. When in the midst Of o
most frightful story, down would tumble
bundle f something from the rafters
making considerable noise, and leading
me 70 Imagine the ghosts and the robbers
had stepped from the book to the garrett
An old apple-tree stood by one of the
windows; it had the greatest faculty fol
1nearthly creaking and groaning, anG
the lightning-rod kept up malicious
racket. declare it is wonder I didn'
lose my senses, reading so much trasl
and hearing SO many fearful sounds.
But this has nothing to do with m,
lodger. | believe am becoming gar
rulous. e'''
In the first place, must tell you papi
was rich farmer, and our neighbour
were " few and far between.
Mhen was in my twelfth year pap,
anu mamma made up their minds I,
take pleasure trip to the far West
This was something unusual; they sci
dom left home. Well, they went: an,
Lny Two sisters, two brothers and mysel
nad a gay time keeping house"
One day, all except myself and oui
servant girl were invited to go to din
rer party. confess dreaded to have
them 60.
Kate, we will bring you any amour
Of candy, = said one.
Now, pet, you know you and Saral
can stay here Just as well as not, " saiC
another.
,s'l Don't be baby, Kitty" said
Finally, ! resignedly bade them ge
ont Of my sight"
Sarah and were good friends; sh
lold me stories and sang songs till ] be
gan 70 think it was quite fine thing :
be left at home
lred Of staying in the house, saun
Tered down the front walk, and amuse
myself by indulging in forbidden pleas
ure-swipging ON the gate. Looh
ing down the road, spied ma
coming along. flew to the house, anc
SATISFIED that he was coming in, ran {
sarah. Seizing her dress with bot
hands. I exclaimed