Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-15
OUR MlLLY.

Way down upon de Swanee ribber,
Far, far away,
Oars whar nv heart am turnin' cher,
Oars whar de ole folks stay.
Clear az a bird song tho voice tloated
in through the open, vine-shaded WIN
dow. where sat Edith Morgan and her
aunt, Mrs. Hayward, who had Just come
from Massachusetts to visit at this com
Portable western home. ,
"Why, Edith exclaimed the elder OF
the two ladies', "have You little negro
here? thought old Hannah was all you
took west"
Edith flushed slightly, but smiled, say
inc, "NO, auntie; your critical ears de-
ceived you this time. That was our
Milly."
"indeed! A voice like that in white
child ia worthy of cultivation. Does
che sing any other songs with equal pa
thosa"
'Imust confess, auntie," replied Edith,
"that her music il mostly confined to
negro melodies, which she has learned
from Hannah, but she sings them all with
great fervor. Really, auntie, i hardly
know what to do with Milly. hoped
your coming might help me ont OF the
quandary. Since mama's death she has
been under no control at all. Papa thinks
whatever she does is just right, and So
of course, permits her to follow her own
inclinations."
Here the conversation was interrupted
by the entrance of Milly herself. She
did not look at all like Tomboy," for
she WAS a sweet.faced, demure little
maiden.
"Milly." said her sister, "Aunt Hay
ward thought you were a little darkey
when she heard you sing"
An irresistible smile broke over the
pretty face, and the red lips parted, re-
vealing two rows OF pearly teeth. She
held out two small sunburned hands,
saying:
"Not quite so bad IA that. auntie.
though am tanned most black enough.
Edith says, and my head IL most woolly
enough" And she shook back her tan
gled curls.
"How would you like to go back to
Boston with me and take lessons in sing
ing" asked Mrs. Hayward. Milly
opened her eyes wide with astonish-
ment.
"Why, auntie, don't need to learn 10
sing. ! always knew how. | thought
you heard me-"
"You see how she Isl said Edith.
when she makes up her mind TO any
thing there il no changing her. She
never storms or acts naughty, like other
children, but she will say. with the mir
of a sage. No. Edith. | must ought
to! and there she will stay. Papa slys
she ia made Of the same metal as heroes
and martyrs, and don't know but he il
right"
Mrs. Hayward remained in her broth
er's home from early June until August.
and every day Milly grew more and more
into her heart, till the childless woman
felt that she must hive the little western
flower to brighten her city home. But
Milly was firm in her refusal.
~ cannot leave papa" she would say.
De has the first claim on me-"
One day in the summer she had gone
some distance from home to pick berries
when there arose one of those terrible
storms 80 common in some parts Of tho
west; lightning and rain. accompanied
by a furious wind. While the family
were in great distress over Milly's alb
sence, she came galloping home on pet
COW. When questioned. she replied:
heard Brindle's bell Just before the
storm came on, and ! knew the COWS
were all going down to the fork TO drink.
and their path leads right through the
berry patch. So waited minute or
two till they came filing along. and then
jumped right on Brindle's back. KNEW
by the clouds that We were going TO have
blow, and thought she was 80 big the
wind couldn't carry her off, and | meant
TO hug her tight and lie low. so wouldn't
blow away. And you see I succeeded.
My berries are all right. though" she
added, gaily. ~ hid them in an old
hollow cottonwood tree. and I'll 90 and
get them after the storm il over"
We're you not frichtenedg" asked
Edith. as she helped Milly change her
drenched clothing.
Yes. Edie, WAS" she answered. So
berry, "and l prayed little prayer; but
l didn't forget to cling tight
At length the tire came for the Bos-
ton aunt to go home. II was arranged
that Edith should accompany her father,
as he drove with his sister the thirty
miles to the city, where she was to take
the eastern-bound train. They were to
remain day in town for the purpose of
shopping. returning on the third. As
Mr.. Morgan kissed his pet daughter
good. by he said, playfully;
Now. Pussy, you must take good care
OF things while papa is gone"
will, papa" wasthe earnest reply
dislike 10 so away" continued her
father. Everything is very dry and
there have been fires west of us: but
Patrick and Hannah are faithful and Won
are worth half deem any day."
Don't worry, papa DEAR" said Milly.
gaily: Just go and have a good time.
We shall be all right"
The morning. Of the third day was clear
and pleasant. A breeze from the oppo.
ate direction during the night had blown
away the smoke. and with II went the
Tear from the heart Of the old black wo
man. Pat, too, was in good spirits,
though In his way be had been AS lueu-
orious as Hannah. So they all went To
work with a good will. PAT was reshin
Rling a barn: Hannah was baking: for
she declared she must do heaps oh
cookin' before Mars Morgan and Miss
Edith should come; and Milly was act
ing a. maid of all work TO the sable cook.
cns washed dishes, but,ered plates
and cake-t,ns, occasionally leaving her
work TO- dart into the sitting room. 70
assure herself that everything was in
order for the homecoming OF her loved
ones.
"Gwine to ride up in de chariot
Sooner In de inornin',"
She sang. But bark. What WAS that
a cry OF terror or distress. She flaw H.
tho door, followed by Hannah. The,
saw fatrick crawling toward the hons
On bis hands and knees.
The prairie Ia ON fires he shouted
adding immediately, .Howiy mother
drelyv' 'a ~
Ihs prairie vas indeed On Are. thouel