The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-21
A CHRISTIAN TURK.

A CHRISTIAN TURK.
live on the corner of a village street, and
directly opposite isathe dwelling of Mr.. Ferret
"a protty, white cottage with a porch in front,
half hid by honeysuckIe vines. The front yard
is laid cut in beautiful flower beda, where many
plants bloom luxuriantiS; and every morning
and evening Mr.. Ferreti may be seen watering
and cultlvaiiaG them with assiduous care. In
the rear of the cottages are many tine fruit
trees and grape vines; and beyond them q
poultry yard. which seems to require consider
able attention from its owner. My neighbor
and l were on friendly terms, though all that l
knew about him could basummarizcd in a few
words: no was n tailor, aad a Turk. A dingy
signboard informed the village people of his
business, and through the window l
could often see him seated on
his table, busily sewing. He himself in
formed me of his nationality, and the assertion
was emphasized by the red fez that he wore
constantly. He was a short man with a dark
complexion, dark hair, aud fiery black ewes
MIR. Ferreti was not n popular person; in fact.
he had few friends, for he was OF a Jealous,
suspicious disposition; he seemed to be always
troubled with a fear that sOms desinging person
would seek to deprive BIN OF his prop rty.
Though he was a Turk, Think he had aban-
doneh the Mohammedan religion.
Diagonally opposite my homo was an unoc-
cupitd house in a state of general dilapidation
1t had been deserted for soma time, hut one
day a strange family arrived and took up their
abode there. There was al old man and an
old woman. both short of stature, and with
faces deeply wrinkled; they were apparently
man and wife. Another old woman, TIL, bony
and haggard. seemed to o~ticiate as housekeeper
vhn fAnr.h opI lnof manson ,vun a v,rI vta
seemed about sixteen yearso OF aga sSio was of
small figure and remarkably quick in her
Her hair was decidedly red, and
flew about in q way that seemed to defy sub
lection; her face was thin and very much
freckled, aud her ewes were very large, keen
and dauntless. In the covrse OF "a few days l
learned that the name of the family was Prlggs,
and that the daughter was called Lucine. The
latter name seemed absurd enough at first, but
] soon cam to regard it As quite appropriate.
Every morning at 6 O'Clock there would arise
a great hustle in the Strangers house. The
chimney would send forth smoke, and the tall,
wild housekeeper would be seen hnrrylng
about i'll tho discharge of her duties. AT Z the
little old man and his wife would hurry away
to the depot, and take the tram to the neigh
boring city, returning at z in the evening.
They always carried with them II small valise,
and il was a mater Of great speculation to the
gossips Of the town what their business could
be. After the old man, and his wife were gone.
tle npNBbR cGDcr "Oull u1Sa11pcuT All TtllulIt
invisible the entlre day
The effect produced upon Mr.. Ferret by
this new arrival was extraordinary. He
seemed to believe that it was the development
of a plot against his peace and welfare. l oc-
casionally saw him stanl in in the shade of
his honeysGckles, and watching, with an APP
preheusiye mir the people across the way.
For como days l think his flowers suffered
from lack of care. Then he consulted a car
penter, and had heavy wooden shutters put on
his Windows that faced ward the new neigh
bora, and atterward appeared somewhat re-
assured.
Not many days had elapsed before the girl
attracted my attention. While the other menu
bers Of sthe strange family were very shabby.
she was dressed richly, but saudily and without
the least taste. llIad seen a piano carried into
the house when the family came, aud twice a
week a pale lady came to give the young bsrta-
rian a music lesson. Then would be heard des-
perate attempts ut scales, a jangle of discords,
and finally q series Of crashes, followed by the
teachers departure with Respondent looks.
The girl, having thus disposed OF an irksome
duty, would come out, vault lightly upon the
gate-pos,, and sit there, viewing with apparent
interest tue beautiful garden Of MI: Ferreii
Ono afternoon, as l sat at my table writing,
den with . hoe and watering pot, W airing his
rod fez as usual. In a moment heard q pecu-
Earlv shrih voice calling: So
"Hullo, red Leadl Hullo, red head!'
Looking out,,1 saw Euceine standing at the
gate post. repeating. at intervals her rather
her presence for a time, though he WAS evil
IDENTIFY ill at ease. Al last he said severely:
Little girl, go away. You are rude. Go
away"
Then he retired to his house with great dig
nifty.
That night he came over to me, and began to
recount his troubles.
Il haf been so mad today" he sighed.
'sDat girl over herc-she is rnde-she is saucy.
She sit on the post of the gate, and say to M:
inside. She call me red-heah, but her hair il
more rod than mine. All, I vac 50 madl" "
sWhy, Mr., Ferreti," l replied, "she is but u
child, aud you should mot notice her. Chill
dren will be children. Perhaps she is moi
taught to do better, for you see her parents go
away every day. Children sometimes say
saucy things to me on the street, but l do not
mind them. keep cool"
"Ah! you Americans are always cool. l wish
1 could be 30. But no: anything like dat make
pis,ol-but there is the law. There should be
law that children should not be rude. l say to
myself. Gar this be America, where a man
cannot go in his garden without getting in
eulted|"
Aud with that he departed in deep Attic.
tiOr. ~
The next day 1 saw Lucine, attired in AIRED
silk drees, busily engaged with a coffee not nnG
tirc-shnvel in cultivutn g a consumptiye rose.
bush that grew, or rather existed, in their yard,
She was go interested in her now Occupation
that she positively refused to take her lesson
when the muse teacher came, and tina
unfortunate lady went away with AN express
sion of joy on her pale face. The rosebush
received q good deal of attention for Q week,
and then som thing now agi'ated tho Priggs
residence. Que morning the old man and his
wife went away as usual, but instead of the
death like silence which usually fell upon the
place, there arose a clamor OF voices, tht
shrill tones Of Lucine predoniinating. They
ceased preIeuily, and, wondrous to relate, the
chimuey again set forth q cloud OF smoke
About two hours afterward, I saw Lucine in
earnest consultation with one of the %neiShbor't
girls: then she entered tho house, and soon re-
appeared, b airing an object covered with {
snow viii c C 9th The girl took it very care
full v. and went across the street to Mr.. Fer
retl's gate, while Lucine retired to a window
where she stood watching. They had hardly
reached tie gaze when Ferreti came hurriedly
down tho walk and met her. A short parley
ensueS, during which he waved her away il
tho most emphatic manner. ana she retufn'e
to Lucine. Imm.d ately Lucins came out
banged the gate. dew across the street, ant
planted herself in front Of Ferreti's house.
= ..Ynu red headed fool" she cried. shaking
her fist at the house,; "co-n out here and II
tell you VI at I think OF you. Come out or III
Como in there"
She tried the gate. but it was fastened il
some wav. Then Mr.. Ferreti leaned forward
from Iii. table, and opened tho window.
.sAh. little catl All, Ii tie cat" he said; "gt
awav. would not hurt you. Go home RICH
away"
Luciuc stood on the gate. 'Ain't you ashamed
of your .elf. you unP'ite OLD scissors-soipper
aftcr all the irouiI. | took
:.A,. Ii tie red ca'i' cried Mr.. Forree. with
black .onwl; 'your r-r-r-r-ronble vas fs'iur.
dis timel" He reached up quickly, and tool