The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-07-30
THE CHILD KING.
ROSE rERBY COOKE.


neighbor, Mrs. Peter. "You know AS.
sociation meets there, and husband S
got to go, so l thought you would like
to drive over and see your Aunt Bet
sey."
"Oh, ] should, ever so much! But
Dell has got to go to a picnic to-mor-
row afternoon, and it'll take me the
whole of the morning to iron her white
dress. I've just got it washed and
hung out; and then there's biscuit to
make; she wants EN- fresh. And"
ooh mother"
The words came before the door flew
open, and in bounced young girl OF
twelve, with the assurance and poise
of forty, dressed in a braided costume
that implied a weeks hard work from
somebody, her light hair banged on her
lowforehead, cheap rings an d bracelets
shining on her fingers and arms, gilt
necklace round her sallow thro at, over
frill OF imitation lace, her whole air
pert, tawdry, and disagreeable. She
barely nodded to the minister's wife,
and went on in loud voice, "Say! Lu-
celIe says I'd ought to have some little
pies and some cream cakes beside the
biscuit, so rnn home to tell you"
Poor Mrs. Peters face fell.
'I don't really see how I can, Dell.
It's quite a piece of work to make
them cream cakes. l can make some
pie crust and fix it up for the pies"
"Oh, but want the cream cakes! If
you make 'em tonight the pies can
wait till morning"
"But Dell I've got to get the break
fast and wash the dishes and make
the beds, and sweep, and then iron
your white dress, and you know
there's sights of work on it, and you
want the ruff1es futed, and
ooh, can't you get up real early?"
Mrs. Brown was indignant. A wise
proverb cautions us not to put fin
ger between the bark and the tree, but
she did not remember it. "Why don't
you make the cake yourself, Della?"
she said. "When | was your age
could make cake. Can't year"
Della stared at her scornfully; Mrs.
Peters put in her wor5 at once.
"Oh, l haven't never asked it of her,
Mis- Brown. Dells real delicate, and
she loves to go; children amt children
but once, and | want for her to have
q good time. I'll fetch it round some
how, Dell, dear. You tell Aunt Bet
sey, won't you, Mis- Brown, how /
wanted to see her, but Ireally couldn't
get over. thank you just as much. |"
Mrs. Brown offered no further re-
marks. There was tone of aggrieved
motherhood in Mrs. Peter voice that
warned her to keep silence, she said
goodbye, and pursuing her walk up
the street, rung the bell at a handsome
house standing in a well-kept yard,
that told its own story of wealth
within. She was admitted TO the par
lor, and warmly welcomed by Mrs.
and Miss Vincent, a wife of middle age,
and her sister-in-law.
But hardly had she begun to talk
with her friends when the door open
ed, and in rushed four children of va
rious ages, who, after nodding atthe
visitor, or reluctantly shaking hands,
at once monopolized the conversation.
In vain did Mrs. and Miss Vincent
struggle to be heard.
ooh Mary I was trying to tell
Mrs. Brown"
'Well, ma, I've got to go; said |
would, and"
"Oh, yesl You told Will Johns
you'd go, and you've cot tol just
like girl I'd"
"Milly, dear, / want to ask Mrs.
Brown"
"Well, aunt Sue, / must go if Mary
goes, and there's that picnic, and"
So it went on,a perfect Babel, which
no present effort could silence, it had
been SO long the habit in this house
for the elders to listen and the child
rem to speak.
Mrs. Brown made only a short call;
she went bnt a few steps further to the
house Of a desolate woman, widow,
who had lost her two children amonth
since with diphtheria. Mrs. Tenny
burst into tears as she came into the
room, and Mrs. Brown put her arms
about her tenderly.
My poor friend" was all she could
say.
20, Mrs. Brown, can't, can't be
reconciled to it. / miss them every
second. Hal used to comein SO bright
from school--his first year to 60, you
know; and Susy was always at my
knee or in my lap, when shewas awake;
and in the lonesome nights / used to
listen for their soft breathing, and put
out my hand to feel Susy's little ten
der face in the crib, and thank God !
had them still, II their father had left
me"
There was nothing to say to this; as
of old. the mother went Tor her chill