The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-01
ALUCKY LEGACY.

Young Tom Collins, a law student,
has just come into q strange inheri-
tance. He sat solitary in his little
boarding house room trying to realize.
eff the poor child hadn't me-" he
said to himself, "it could go and apply
for admission to some institution. If I
hadn't it, l could-pshaw! that is not
the idea, / must decide what 1 am to
do"
Tom had solemnly promised to a
for the newborn babe of his only sis
ter who had just died.
Tom was interrupted by a knock on the
door. 1t was followed by a cry of min
gled entreaty and command, such as on
ly hungry babes know how to emit.
"I've fetched the poor little dear
around, sir" said thennrse, brandishing
her charge. "There! there! there! It's
got the wind this minute, mixin' milk.
Have you found a nurse, sir? And
baby wants clothes"
She dropped her shrieking charge
upon Toms bed and started toward
the door.
"Ohi OH" gasped Tom. "Donot go.
In the name of mercy, do not! Why do
you say I want q nurse? Are you not
one?"
II am, sir" she said, turning conf
dentially to Tom, ga monthly I am
willing to stay with you while 1 can.
But, sir, my summons may come any
day orhour. 1t is impossible to calcu-
late. I'll work for you while I can, sir,
but when my call M no earthly
thing car keep me-"
Can you" said Tom, looking gloom
lily at his now silent prize on the bed,
"can You give me any advice?"
Mrs. Primmins placed her arms akin
DO.
Tom ~fervently prayed for light on the
medltations.
II have it," cried Mrs. Primmins.
"Malviny's got to take It'll"
BLESS your dear soul!" responded
Tom. Malvina's the very one! What a
talent you have for managing, auntie
dear"
There was Tom, his very self! He
had hit on exactly the right compliment
to pay the nurse. He wes actually
floating through life on this instinct he
had for saying the most pleasant thing
to everybody. Mrs. Primmins of all
things desired the reputation of a man
nuverer, as it was, of course, the one
of all others she did not deserve.
Eyes" she cried, chuckling, II can
manage. Let me alone! And the first
thing in the morning I'll go there with
you. Now" said she, Selling her
charge. who was beginning to squirm,
''now I'll see what's to be got out of
your ~landlady." 3
Winking violently with first one eye
and then the other, she started to go;
then, with a sudden solemnity, she re-
inserted her head in the doorway"
eff I'm summoned" she said, ssit's
above all else. If I'm called, I must go
day or night"
Certainly" said Tom, much puzzled,
'but you won't be, aunty!" As the
young man walked abroad to get his
dinner he felt impressed with an almost
mysterious awe of the old nurse.
"To think of living always with death
grinnirg one in the face like that!" he
muttered.
In the night Toms dream of peace
was again dispelled.
Another knock at the door.
"Am l under o ban?" growled Tom ;
whats the matter now?"
"Im called" said the voice of Mrs.
Primmins. MY has come"
ooh, the duce" cried Tom, lost to
all sense of the Importance of concilat-
ing the nurse. eco to bed! Hold on
till morning!"
In the morning, Tom, who, happy
fellow, always slept soundest under a
sense of depression, did not make his
appearance until 8 o'clock. De found
that Mrs. Primmins had actually iisap-
peared for parts unknown. In the
arms Of his hitherto stern landlady he
found his charge nesting. A new
light-that of love-was beaming in the
solemn woman's eye-that woman,
thought Tom, vino could see any of her
boarders starye and rot for ten cents
saved!
II have undertaken" said the land
lady, giving Tom a smile such rs he had
never dreamed could rest in her feat
nres-"I have undertaken to go with
you in search of Mrs. Primmin's niece,
Malvina."
Several hours later Tom Collins
sprang from a light wagon j n which he
had driven to the door of pretty cot
tage.
1--WE will make the last effort by in.
curing here" he said to his landlady
who held the baby.
With his usual impetuositv he pushed
directly through into the rear kitchen.
There he forgot his errand-forgot ev-
erything except what he saw. A.young
girl, plump, neat and rosy, stood with
round arms barred before a table. She
was assiduously occupied in ~carressing
with white hands little Jumps of dough
into shape.
Suddenly she turned. Such q dim.
ping smile! Such rosy embarrass.
ment! Tom, great black haired, jetty
giant hat he was, thought this little
plump blonde an angel. Thought
why, he was sure of it!
After awhile he came to his senses
and said:
I'm looking for n Malvina Bark.
err"
"And that is me-" said the rosy lips
"Then I've brought you a baby" he
said abruptly.
A good deal Of establishment can b.
put into a pair of bright blue eyet
without spelling them-and SO there
was. Fortunately, at that point the
landlady appeared, and so, a moment
later did Malvina's mother called uI
from the cellar by the voices.