The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-05-28
A SUPERFLUOUS GIRL.


Williams in answer to nurses an
nouncement. 'That makes four of
'em, and only two boys, and one of
them weakly"
This is fine baby, sir, said nurse,
"and seems strong and lively. She's
got some lungs of her own, can tell
you, and you ought to be thankful to
have such a promising child" she
added, with little indignant infection
in her voice.
"Of course am, said Mr.. Williams,
in a more gracious tone. "You don't
suppose / wanted a fool or cripple,
but the fact is I'd set my mind on
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 bit of my
side of the house"
II reckon this one'll have snap
enough" laughed the nurse, eff she
goes on 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 as she met nurses CHEEKY
glance.
II suppose Mr.. Williams is disap-
pointed" she said, "for he wanted
boy so much, and it is hard world for
girls anyway"
"He'll like her we'll enough when he
gets used to her, and sees how smart
and strong she is" answered nurse en-
couragingly. II guess she won't be in
the way much, only give her chance.
You jest. go to sleep now, and when
you feel a little stronger you won't
mind his coming in to see baby"
Mr.. Williams had really agood heart
underneath somewhat rough and
irritable exterior, but he was quite
wanting in the native refinement and
generous nature which often made the
contrast between himself and his wife
so apparent. His temper was at
times ungovernable, and his family
dreaded his presence when he allowed
it to master him. His children rarely
gave him their confidence, and the
boys feared the ready blow which
came almost as promptly as the harsh
word, while the daughters either SUBJ
mitted silently, or avoided exciting his
displeasure.
Forty years ago, when this story be-
gins, the life ofthe daughters of afami-
ly had very little range or scope, and
the nurses words s'only give her a
chance" meant a great deal more
than they would to-day, . when door
after door is opened to the girl as we'll
as to her brother.
Welcome or not, this blue eyed
daughter had come to stay, and she
showed it in every fibre other positive
little body as time went on. Her as
sertion and aggressiveness, however,
were redeemed by a warm, generous
nature, and readiness to make full
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
sympathize or lose his temper, when
she half defantly resented an irrita-
BILE, impatient. or unjust rebukeon
his part.
She's got lots of my side OF the
house in her after all" he thought
with something of secret chuckle, as
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 she
met his.
There was some trouble in deciding
upon name, but Pauline was finally
compromised on, in memory Of fa-
vorite sister of Mr.. Williams, who had
recently died. The length Of this APP
pellation did not suit the little dam
sci, who insisted on calling herself
Paul. and after a while she went
largely by that name among the child.
rem and her pIaymates, which caused
various complications through having
boy name attached to little girl.
She's just as good as aboy any.
way, il she is only five years old,
said theyounger brother Rob day,
when this was being discussed. lie
y