The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-05-14
OF MY FOOTSTOOL.

{Someryille Journal.
SECRET OF MY FOOTSTOOL.
My brother gave his work a final
polish and then viewed the valuable
articles approvingly before placing
them in their softly-padded case
s'Think they look well. little wom-
amp
q think they do, indeed" Ianswer.
cd, in unqualified admiration, for Ted
was q capital workman, and had
mended the pretty trinkets very skill
fully. Il am sure MI. Bailey will be
pleased. The owner herself would be
puzzled to detect where she damaged
Them
Ted smiled; then, as he did not in
tend to take them back to the shop
until the r%eturaof his employer, which
would not be till the morrow, he de-
posted both the jeweled bracelets in
his customary "non-burglar.proof
safe" as he jokingly called a small,
strong, square box which he had fitted
with lock and key, padded inside and
out, and covered with chintz to match
III sofa. He made use of this as a
footstool, saying that e~vil-disposed
persons would be the less likely to ex
anime it; and many a jest he had
about his placing gems under my feet,
and about me beinga small person with
ahigk mind, for | set my foot upon
gold, and the like nonsense. Dear old
Ted! He was so clever at his trade,
and so trustworthy, that he had al
ways more work than he could get
through. He was very fond of me
his poor little crippled sister-would
never allow me to sit too long at my
needle, and shared with me in every
possible way the little duties neces-
STATED by our humble menage; so he
andI logged along e ypeaceably. We
lodged in two rooms in a. quiet street
on the outskirts Of Bridgeport. Our
landlady was q kindly old-body who
had known III parents long before
either Ted or Isfound~ ourselves on this
worlds stage.
Having put away the bracelets safe
ly, my brother next packed up three
orfour watches he had been busy set
ting to rights, and nrepared to 40 to
the shop in Bridgeport which usually
employed him. Watched him putting
on his o%vercoat, for the day was very
cold; but he seemed slow in his move
ments, and / thought hewas reluctant
to leave me alone, for, though I was
generally active enough, considering
my %infirn,ity, one of my bad spells was
now on me, when, as he knew, l found
moving about a pain and a difficulty
for some days. 1t happened, to !,
that Mrs. Brown-our landlady-hal
gone out for the day-a very rare oc-
currence.
Can LIDO anything else for you be-
fore Igor he asked.
No. Ted, dear, thank you"
"Make sure; look round and see If
everything is put handy for you,"
said my brother, placing my crutch a
little nearer.
Everything" l replied, cheerfully.
-tAnd I've such a lotof work to get
through, | shall find the afternoon
short"
ont Q ilke your being, lett
before fye;" said Ted, eyeing me dubi-
ousiy; cousin Miiiy Wouidcomeround
II l asked her
ies ana prihg her papy, VINO
would hinder my Q sadly. ldon't
Ike babies when ambnsy. Go away,
Led, yOu dear Old fellow Don'tbother
me- shall De all right. -.
"WeI, by-by, little woman, he said,
STOPPING to kiss me; "Il be home as
as ] car. "And, Bessie" he
added, pausing in the doorway, "be
sure you don't touch the window to-
day. The sash line snapped this
morning. Unjust send a carpenter to
see to it. You will remember?"
promised that / would, and nv
brother DEPARTED. / heard him 90
down stairs and shut the street door.
AZ first the unusual quiet ofthe house
Was rather denressins. bmt + soon he.
came TOO much enorassed IN saving to
nav attention to that and stitched
ewa > Enus;lv a. snms tb;ngs vas CON.
niat;no for a Iaav who was lind
enn,ch IN nraisa nv naadlawork nre.
f[srr;pn = &c many IA ~
st;tchs,t ort;o,s.
PrasantIv I sho,,oh+ I hoord . .,;,b+
rc;ao dom,s atn;.. In. Ls.Ss