The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-06-04
A %SUPERFLUOUS GIRL.

"Anothergirl,," calculated Mr.. Simon
Williams III answer to nurses an.
nouncement. THAT makes four OF
'em, and only two boys, and one of
them weakly"
This IS a fine baby, sir" sailnurse,
"and seems strong and lively. She's
got some lungs OF her own, | can tell
you, and you ought to lee thankful to
have such a promising child" she
added, witha littieindignant infection
in her voice.
"Of course am,"said Mr.. Williams,
in a more gracious tone. you don't
suppose wanted a fool or Il cripple,
but the fact is I'd set my mind on a
boy, and-girls are enough sight more
in the way, unless they've got some
snap to 'em, and precious little the
other three have got, not q bit OF my
side OF the house"
81 reckon this onc'lI have snap
enough" laughed the nurse, III She
goes IN as she's begun" and she has
tened back to attend to her new
charge.
Said little bit OF humanity was at
present nothing but an apparently
quiet bundle OF flannel, pressed low
ingly to the side OF the pale mother,
who sighed rs she met nurses CHEEKY
glance.
II suppose Mr.. Williams is disap-
pointed" she said, 'for he wanted Il
boy so much, and it is hard world for
girls anyway"
"IIe'll like her well enough when he
gets used to her, and sees how smart
and strong size is" answered nurseen-
~couragingly. Il guess she won't be In
the way much, only give her a chance.
You Jest 90 to sleep now, and when
you feel Il little stronger you won't
mind his coming in to see baby"
Mr.. Williamshad really agoodheart
underneath q somewhat rough and
irritable exterior, but he was quite
wanting i'll the native refinement and
generous nature which often made the
contrast between himself and his wife
so apparent. His temper was at
times ungoyernable, and his family
dreaded his presence when he allowed
it to master him. His children rarely
gave him !heir confidence, Snd the
boys feared the ready blow which
came almost aspromptly as the harsh
word, while the daughters either sub
mitted silently, or avoided exciting his
displeasure.
Forty years ago, when this story be.
gins, the lie ofthedaughters of afami
ly had very little range or scope, and
the nurses words only give her g
chance meant q great deal more
than they would to-day, when door
after door is opened to the girl as wei.
as to her brother.
Welcome or not, this blue eyeC
daughter had come to stay, and she
showed it in every fibre other positive
little body rs time went on. Her as
sertion and aggressivencss, however
were redeemed by IL warm, generous
nature, and a readiness to make ful
amends for any little naughtiness.
Mr.. Williams, himself, did not com
plain OF any lack OF snap in this
last of The four daughters, and was
not quite certain whether to secretly
svmpathize or lose his temper, whe!
she half defiantly resented an irrita
BILE, impatient, or un lust rebuke or
his part.
.sShe's got lots OF my side OF the
house in her after ALL" he thought
with something OF n secret ehuckle, az
he saw the sturdy little figure and up
lifted head at such times, and noticed
the deepening color of cheek and eyes
and the fearless glance with which sh'
met his.
There was some trouble in decidin!
upon a name, but Pauline was finally
compromised on, in memory of a ia
vorite sister OF Mr.. Williams, who hat
recently died. The length of this ap
pellation did not suit the little dam
sci, who insisted on calling hcrsel
paul" and after - while she wen
largely by that nameamong the child
rem and her playmales, which causet
various complications through havin'
g. boys name attached to a little girl
"She's just as good as q boy any
way, if she is only five years DID,
said theyounger brother Rob oneday
when this was being discussed. H
was only four years older than herself
and was very fond OF her, and nothin
pleased the little maiden better thai
to coast with him on her small sled
or build snow men, or exchange snow
balls in most lively fashion.
"a regular Tom-boy!!" said the eide
sisters, who felt very much as if som
strange birding had shared the con-
mon nest.
But "Paul" only laughed and foun'
vent for exuberant life and spirits b,
climbing the trees and fences, AM
even the lamppost near by, and "tear
ing through the lane at the back Q
the house in a race with her brothe
and his mates to see which could frs
touch the old tree at the end OF it.
Once to her mothers greatfrights h
fearlessly climbed or to the very ridge
pole of the barn to rescue a pet kitteI
which had gone up by a grapeSrelli
and not daring to descend, mewe'
piteously till Pauline went to he
rescue. Unable to use the somewha
decayed trellis, the girl had availe
herself of the fence, then OF neighbor'
shed, and finally OF the stout pol
that supported q large bird house
The mother held her breath as she SAY
her descending these doubtful SUP
ports with her kitten clinging to hel
end relieved her over-wrought feeling