The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-09-11
WISHING AND HAVING.
"I wish I had a beau!"


words spoken Just as ida Lane always
spoke.
81 just wish had a beau!"
What wish for well-bred maiden.
No wonder her stern father frowned,
her sober mother sighed, and her maid
IN aunt groaned in spirit, as she ejacu.
lated:
"No maiden modestyl No delicate
reserved No womanly decorum! Ida
Lane, what will become of you?"
II don't pretend to know" she an
swered, meekly. "From present indi-
cations, presume will proceed in the
old way, working, and laughing, and
grumbling, and wishing, for few more
years. and then will settle down to my
Fate, and knitting stockings, and die a
superacnuated spinster, mourned by
seventeen cats, and as many pet dogs"
"Oh, my daughter! are you not afraid
some judgment will be sent to you for
such frivolous talking?" inquired her
staid mother.
"No, ma am, was her quiet reply. "In-
deed, can not see the exceeding sim
fulness of my wish. I know it is con.
trary to the regulations Of society to ex-
press such desire; but, after all, l am
onlv a little more honest tn an the scores
Of girls whe are looking at the moon.
and wishing in their hearts even as l
did. should not wonder if Aunt Sally
the most proper. damsel on earth,
should find my wish echoed in her
heart. l only have bad habit of
thinking aloud. AS for judgments, if
one should come in the shape OF q nice
Young man, would have no objections.
I think stroll in this moonlight,
with my arm resting on piece
Of broadcloth, would be vastly
more agreeable than to read this Book
of Malty1s' again; and Islppose will
sheGk you out ola fortnights appetite,
by asser ting that, as | leaned my head
against this post, l am wondering if
gray or black cloth would not make
pleasanter pillow-say i. should be filed
with al arms length Of flesh and bone"
How Ida Lane dared talk thus was
mystery to I'll who knew the deac n, the
uncompromising sternness of her moth
er and the careful precision of her
aunt. She had in reality been curbed
and restrained until her CAV spirits were
go repressed that she was in general a
model of department; but occasionally
she rebelled against the rigid discipline
and gave expression to thoughts which
elected lectures as lengthy as the moral
law. While her mother and her aunt
waited in sleace for the deacon to ad-
minister his reproof, and that gentleman
WAS recovering from his astonishment,
Ida continued:
''Yes, do wish had beau!-really,
decidedly, empha icaliy, wish had
beau; though, goodness knows! l under
stand nothing at all about the entertain
ment Of the tribe. 1t is my opinion such
reference to the better acquaintance Of
broadcloth and muslin, with their re-
spective Enclosures. But do believe if
the Angel Gabriel, with his excellent
| reputation, could come down from his
exalted seat and invite me to take
moonlight ride in his chariot you would
find some fault in his angelic highness,
and make me remain at home.'
| OF course such q speech was more inn
pious than might have been expected
from deacon's daughter, who had been
taught the catechism from her baby
| hood-and yet not very unlike what a
person we'll yersed in human nature
would have expected from merry, in
dependent girl who found herself de.
MED all the harmless little pleasures
others of her sex enjoyed. The provo.
cation was very severe that night, too,
| for she was thinking of the gay party
who had urged her to accompany them
on their moonlight ride until veto from
her parents decided the question.
| Having relieved her mind and know
| ing that she must do penance therefor,
by listening to IN evenings lecture, she
| folded her hands and leaned against the
post, with the air of a martyr.
Her father had just reached the point:
'If you don't Eend your ways you will
never be credit 10 anybody" when
the shadow of a manly figure fell across
the door way, and arrested the deacon's
| prophecies.
The newcomer he recognized as Har.
vey Stratton-a lawyer OF eminence, who
was spending the summer in their vii
lRge-and arose cordially to greet him;
while Mrs. Lane, with high respect for
their distinguished guest, courtesied her
profoundest courtesy; and Sally Lane
who admired the lawyers fine face aud
faultless dress the Sunday before, when
/ she should have been listening to Par
son Browns discourse on the .'Vanities
OF Earth"-smiled her most bewitching
smile, as she expressed her happiness
at meeting him. AS for Ida, when she
recognized the stranger as the gentle
man who had sat in DR.. Smiths pew
and seen her pull the hymn-book from
her neiShbor's arm-whica sudden
movement sent that sleepy parsonage
"bobbing around" in frightlul manner,
much to the amusement OF DR.. Smiths
sit in the beautiful moonlight, while he
inquired as to the boundaries of an ad.
joining estate. So it was that, leaning
over the gate, she encountered hand
some lawyer on his way home, who
sxkcd her if she did not fear getting
moonstruck?
"Oh ro'' che answered gayly. 81
believe it is like the measles-contagi
Gus, rather than an epidemic"
ssIt may be-" replied the amused
lawyer. 'My knowledge Of either i:
very imperfect, not being experiment
tai. but only gained from observation
Experience is the best teacher"
"Not always" responded Ida, ,naively
Experimental knowledge would not be
preferable to observation in hanging and
mooney infrmities, flesh is heir to-"
how she should entertain gentleman
and yet. in a few sentences had awakened
an interest in the mind of this bachelor
Harry Stratton, o Ida Lane! 1t wa
we'll for you that you were such an art
less child of nature. or the proverbially
unsuseeptible lawyer wouid not have
wended his way home with the bound
aries of Jones' estate SO terribly CON
fused with black eyes, pouting lips
white arms, and moonlight.
"Why did Mr.. Stratton stay 80 long a
the gate?" inquired Miss Sallie Lane
as Ida made her appearance.
"Oh! he was warning me of the in
furious effects Of dew and moonlight!
she answered, g-avely, "and told me Q
seventeen young ladies VINO died Of con
no,,,I,f tho y,ipbt oie