Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-05-04
"PAPA'S OLD PET"
BY KATE

"a SSAAehSAASHp SNAASAtly AilClluS, ttTS
seated before the open CRATE, in which {
coal fire is burning brightly. Ever anc
anon they lean forward in their eas,
chairs and extend their hands, as if tc
grasp of the generous warmth
which is already penetrating to every
corner of the coy apartment.
Both are well-to-do merchants of The
quaint New England town in whichthey
were born, and where they have resided
all their lives. On the table by their
side, stands a ~decanter, well filled with
raie old port, and an open box con.
tanning choice cigars.
:tCome, fill, man!' says the host to his
guest, II don't envy the poor begyars
Who pass by such tipple as this. IT will
warm you UP and give you a new lease
of life"
The invitation is promptly accepted,
and the action is repeated again and
again. Soon their tongues are loosened,
and the conversation Becomes quite ami
mated. Brilliant sallics of wit and peals
of contagious laughter followed each
other III quick succession, until the hour
hand on the parlor clock points the hour
of II, and Richard Grant, the guest Of
the evening, rises hastily from his seat.
by Joye, Percival, how time hieai"
he says, Il had no idea it was so late.
and promised Mary TO be home by ID
o'clock"
.sThat's one of the disadvantages Of
married life" replied the bachelor host,
laughingly' "You are too cornwall,
Grant, for a benedict
"We'l talk about that another time"
responded Mr.. Grant, smiling. ePer-
haps the advantages more than counter
balance the disadvantages. ANYHOW. I
am satisfied, Percival, and so o would
be if you had as good a wife as nine"
And Richard Grant, grasping his
friends hand, wishes him 'sgood-night,n
and wends his way Lomeward.
Ethel, the 8 year-old daughter of Mr..
Grant, is dying. Already her wan little
face bears a spiritual look, and her
mother can no longer hide from herself
the fact that death is near.
The little n has but one cry, II want
papai" and as Mrs. Grant hears it her
heart, is sad indeed. Mr.. Grant is .
good husband and indulgent father. but
he is not what the world call a domesti.
Gated man. He knows that his child
sspapa's old pet,o as he is wort to call
her--is on the verge of eternity. Yet
30 strong is his inclination fortscompany''
that he cannot leave his-friend until
midnight.
So Ethel calls for papa in vain. Her
mother sits by the bedside with mn agoni-
zed look on her features and the hot
tears coursing swiftly down her cheeks.
ssBring Tecdy' mama dear"
Already the voice is becoming more
feeble and tremulous. No time is to be
lest, and Teddy, the baby, is held be-
fore her.
A ray of light Eliminates her face as
she looks lovingly on her little play
mate.
aDear Teddyw
Suddenly, very suddenly, there comes
q change.
"Oh, mamma, it is 80 dark-so dark!'
Mrs. Grant bends over, presses her
W lips to the child's, and with a
mighty effort to restrain her grief,
Patience, my darling! The light is
coming
ooh, mamma, nurse Ethel!n
The mother cannot resist tbs appeal.
She lifts child, pillow and clothing to
her lap, and awaits the end. She has
not long to wait. The little face assumes
) wax-like hue. Evidently the white
winged messenger is
by, mamma! By paIa!"
a breathiess silence reigns in the
room. Other mothers are present, and
they weep silently
Ethel sleep-papa-kiss!"
And Ethel sleeps-sleeps the sleep
that knows no waking. Her pure spirit
has gone to God who gave it, and mamma
and Teddy will SEES her here nevermore.
LLH L& AEEH
a.Wbat, up still, Mary? Why did you
wait for me?" Mr.. Grant inquiries, a
touch of impatience in his voice.
Hush, Richard! There are others
In the house, and trouble has 10
1t is l o'clock, and Mr.. Grant has lust
returned, flushed with wine, and in ex
nberant spirits. The impress Of sorrow
is on his wife's features, and there is
such a strange light in her eyes that he
pauses to look at herr"
What do you mean, Mary?"
'Oh, Richard, we have lost spapa's
old.pet" And Mrs Grant, unablelonger
to restrain her grief, filings herself in
her husbands arms and weeps pi.ifully.
Gently disengaging himself he hastens
to the chamber.
Yes, it is quite true. There before
him lies the earthly shell-all that is left
to him of his little darling, He is quite
sober now. Then comes his wife to ioin
him, and tell him all that has taken place.
'If you had but been here, Richard"
she says, plaintiyely, sit would not been
hard to bear. Why did you not
Gomez
"NWell, my dear, I met Peieival, and
he invited me home. We had a glass or
two Of wine, and conversing together
the time slipped away"
Have 0 never thought, Richard.
how it must be for me sit here hour af-
ter hour, listening for the footsteps that
seldom comes till morning."
mo, Mary, | have not thought much
about it, or perhaps I should not have
neglected you"
ut is natural that you should like the
cOmpanienship of your friends; but it is
more natural that l and the children
should have your first attention. The
dear child whom God has taken from us
has often cried herself to sleep calling
e you"
bear it. We are sorely stricken, and
must help each other to bear our sor-
row.
The house seemed to be deserted, al
though several people were moving
noiseleasly about. With the spirit Of
Ethel five sunshine had for the time de-
parted. and the shadow Of grief was