Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-08-29
MRS. BOTTOMS NURSEMAID.

.MIiSs DUlAlON > GGSLMAlU.
"A short stretch OF beach. Rocks beyond
me hand, a deep inlet on the other, and
the sand the only living objects in sight
twO figures, one grave II one merry;
e II girl OF twenty, II q boy of five,
hoping attentively over an cmbankment
llch the girl is carefully shaping. Her
Iwer lip pouts. and her white forehead
rukles in the earnestneSs OF her effort
kl!eet the requirements OF her hard mas
kr, who, laughing gleelully, volubly is
les his commands and suggestions in a
brill. clear voice.
higher in the middle, Auntie Kate!
ta.a it big and high like a truly fort.
1t like u truly fort-say, Auntie Kate,
Yes, Pay; Pm sure it must be-" replies
b. glrl, sinking back as far as possible in
F. knecling posture and putting up her
siis to her loosened hair as she studies
.elitice.
hearty, ringing masculinelaugh causes
tr 10 glance quickly up and see Il man
iii a child enthroned or his shoulder
EMo riding down among the rocks at her
i. He springs out upon the sand and
WINGS the child, a puny little creature,
Jul Leads him slowly toward the other
kNple, who are already re-absorbed in
her building operations.
What are we going to do here, pop?"
s&s his charge IN a q%uerulous, p%laintive
oies. ION, see t1ere a caschins Sight h Of
b., please"
1t shall be done, your highness," re-
ponds his champion, not without a regret
IT, fellow by his side with the sturdy Ray,
F4o throws an Indifferent look oven his
Aoulder ut the newcomers.
The latter settle down at u respectful
ance from tho fascinating fort, and the
5uleman essays to copy the same, being
on his nlettie by the rather ~dlscourag-
= comments OF his charge.
Come, now, BERTHE, that isn't going to
J" 50 bad" he says at last; and the child
fiaps his hands, while his tired little face
Fights up With pleasure.
MS S@5p,. =. pop! It's better than
4 Theirs is higher than ours, Auntie
KAYE" admits Ray, in a dissatisfied tone,
BE- !: ing o the 1n5 50 " aia b pvmauk, and keeping
Never mind, DEAR" responded the girl;
8'curs is going to lave little windows
$ce:-for the guns to DO fired through at
IEe enemy"
y 20 yes! hurralp' shouts the rehabili-
4atel Ray.
"~OurS"-very loudly and with a side
glance at his rlval-has little windows to
8hoot the enemy with"
q linen ours must, pop--ourS must,' urges
FLe sick child, eagerly.
Must what, child"
"l1ave windows to shoot"
l "Certainly: five hundred, if you like.
Drought my stick on purpose to make port
$hoies i'll Il tort"
Ii makes them rounder than yours,
A'tie Kate" objects Ray, ungratetully.;
kand the girl chances furJively at her fell
zholes in the damp surface. "Pooh! !
SEuess Ell so and watch him." continues
Play, by way OF striking spurs into hi:
8wl.ling steel.
"No, no, darling. See, we will have
aren marching up and down behind ours;'
wand she stand short sticks upright in sin
SSg.e file at the back of the nlll.
j Yes, Sti-men marching! J" echoes Kay
Heating Il triumphant TATTOO with his heel!
Som the sand.
,"Oh, see there, pop" cries BERTHE
STlaintively; ''he says they've got mel
aMarching."
"Well, we'll have some soldiers, too, my
FD@y. Just wait q minute" And 10. I'M
Eanascuiine ttlilder, taking q match-saf'
From his pocket, soon had Il brave row o
Figures, stiff and soldierly, though not very
tail. "Now, where is that empty spoo
2you had This morning, Bert"
The child produces it from the pocket o
Elis jacket, and his companion places 1t be
tween the tive match companies, AM
mounts a cigar upon it. There is a can
non," he remarks, and a Shrek OF ecslac,.
goes up from BERTHE, echoed by u groan 0
deep despair from Ray, who has watche
80, now!" he CALCULATES, i'll the fullnes
ot lis disgust: you haven't amy cigar
-Aunlie kaie. What's the use of your try
Ing to build a fort. Let's pull 1t d
down."
For shame, Ray" cries the girl, softly
catching his destructive hand. She Is no
July III the spirit of rivalry. o. d.
do,"and, pulling Il loop Of red ribbon frol
her dress, she attaches it with a PIN 10
stick, and in another moment it is t1oatll
gaiIy in the salt breeze from the SUNNI
OF the fort. The effect is so triumphant
gay that Il simultaneous cheer pufSeS lrol
the lips of both children, followed ~ v
hement demands from BERTHE tnat 'fol
Shall furnish him Il similar enloelllsnnie
"But | tell you l can't do 1T, Bert" +
peats the bad-ered man, while Ray
shouts and jeer's enliven the air. 80,
But ! want a flag" cries the SICK cnll
pi;eously. 1T isl'G nice without a nag
with a longing look at his rlVals hyli
!%oennOn.
All right" assents the gentlema
good -hulnoredly. 'Neehs must when y
drive. I've learned h u to pc a sue
fact" and, taking a knife from his pock'
prepares to cut ru;hlessly dow throu
''' "o o!u sto no'd don't y do thst!" exclaimed
soft voice, and he looks up 10 mee1 I
laughing eyes of his sister.archltect' W
holds out JIG hand i'll warning, While w
tn" other she smoothes the wlnd'toss
hair back from her flushed. trlClnpns