Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-04-18
.sLITTLE TIFF"

80 "LITTLE TIFF" ~
Win Tabor left his four bay hoi .es
eating voraciously at the stable of the
Exchange, where he always put UP,
and where he had just eaten a hearty
dinner.
He had disposed of the great load Of
wood which he had brought that morn
ing from Stony Brook. and would start
for home in an hour or so;, meanwhile
he would take a stroll down Main
street.
Win was a pleasant-looking fellow
of 20 years. with brown, curly hair,
honest, laughing eyes, and d very de-
cided mouth and chin. He had a glow
upon his sun-burncd cheek, and a
breadth of shoulders and length of
limb that were good to see.
1t was q balmy spring day; every
n seemed to be in the best possible
humor.
Will sauntered along, studying the
different specimens of human nature
which he met, and making mental
comments which would have sur
prised most of the objects thereof, who
saw in my hero only a stalwart coun-
try-man, ruddy-faced and brown listed.
Presently, as he came to an opening
between two buildings, he stopped
suddenly, q look of amusement and
tenderness making him almost hand
some.
In the shadow of a tall brick block
sat a little girl-a mite of a creature
her black curls snarled all about a wee,
gypsy face. with great black eyes.
By her side lay an old brown straw
hat and small red violin and bow.
The child's dress was miserable and
filthy in the extreme, and her poor
little toes peeped from gaping holes in
shoes, which were at least two sizes too
large for her.
But she looked as happy as a queen,
and was talking and laughing softly to
herself and singing little snatches of
songs as she stuck some big dandelion
blossoms into a little mound of dirt.
Will saw, with a great throb of pity,
that she was n of the minstrels who
wander about the city streets in the
summer; she was so young-not more
than Z or 8.
And while he stood there looking at
her she glanced up and saw him.
The happy, debonair look vanished
instantly, the dandelions were scatter
ed, and she sprang to her feet. violin in
hand, and she stood before him.
''Museck, m'seerp' sine said, with
an unmistakable French accent.
And then, before he could answer,
she broke into a light, swaying song,
accompanying herself upon her instru-
ment, and ending with a quaint little
curtsv, held out one very small and
very dirty hand.
Will. feeling in his pockets for some
pennies. inquired:
"What is your name. chickenP"
Tiff. m'seer."
"Tifp"
''Oui, m'seer; Tiphane-Tif."
And seeing the smile in his eyes the
midget laughed, showing u double row
of small white teeth. and began anoth.
or French song. striking into a fantas.
tic dance at the same time. always
keeping the small face, with its big,
laughing eyes and glittoring teeth,
turned toward him.
you're a little monkey" he said,
laughing heartily, as he tossed her q
silver dime, which she caught, and.
throwing him a kiss from the tips OF
her dirty little fingers, turned away,
and was soon lost to sight among the
shifting crowds.
The sun was just sinking behind the
western hills when Will draw IN, hi.
team in the doorway of the old-fash.
Toned, comfortable cottage.
Further on. half q mile or so, was
the village, with the vanes on its two
white church stccples glittering in the
suns last rays.
The shrill piping of the frogs came
up from the meadow brook behind the
house, and a whip-poor-will fed sob
bling through the woodland.
This was Wills house, and his eyes
frightened as a little, tidy old lady il
a neat cap came to the door to vel
come him.
But as he sprang to the ground
there scrambled from beneath the high
wagon-seat a queer little objcct-Tif.
She swung herself lightly to the
ground, and, running forward, chung
to the skirt of Willis coat.
Don't send me back, m'scer. They
are so cruel. You were kind to me
to-day. saw you riding from the
city, and remembered. Isprang up be.
hind, and I'M here to live with you al
ways"
"What does this mean. Williamp'
SAID mother labor, in astOnlshment.
Then Will told his mother how Tiff
had played to him in the street. HI
had never expected to see her again,
however, and her sudden appearance
had been as much of q surprise to hin
as to his mother.
"Of course we shall have to keep
the little thing tonight, mother; ant
tomorrow will go back to the city
with her."
So little Tiff was taken in and treat
ed to q bath. and a delicious supper o.
brown bread and milk, and was finally
put to bed in a tiny attic chamber
clad in q clean cotton n%ight-dress,
which Will had worn in years BE-
fore.
The next morning little Tiff was very
i'll, too ill 10 sit up. The great eyes
were unnaturally bright, and the little
cheeks were scarlet. Her mind wan
dered at times, but she knew Will, ant
smiled at him as he approached the
bed. And when he asked her where
she lived, she told him:
with old Kanif, on Mechanic
street. But I have come to live will