Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-04-27

gen'lem, an his lady what lives IN
big city an haint gotno children. Thew
want q little gal, Peg, an age amt ne
considerin', if she is prepossessin' an
hsint got no bad manner, an Peg, the
master said that was you, for you
hadn't got bad manner to yer name
an they are rich an are goin' to bring
you up a bonnyfide lady with big loi
of larnin' and everything"
Peggy stood looking at Lem while he
delivered himself in a quick, jerking
voice, of the largest speech of his life,
and by all odds the most important
Ole.
Her wondering eyes opened wider
and wider at every word.
She have papa! Why, she had never
thought of such thing. When the
boys were taking leave of Westfeld
every few days, upon the proposition
of some farmer for lad to help, and
to receive board and clothes, with three
months schooling in the winter, that
was all we'll enough; but such very
little girl as Peggy was seldom called
for, and Peggy was dumbfounded.
But when Peggy thought of Sally
and of the coming Christmas, her eyes
lighted up, and she asked Lem if he
was sure the master said the man was
very rich. y,
eyes, very rich, Peg, an he's comm
to look yer over tonight"
Peggy hurried away to tell Sally, and
to explain about the riches AMI what
she hoped to get for Sally-a dumb
watch.
The gentleman and lady cane, and
were we'll pleased with Peggy il every
particular, but insisted upon calling her
Margaret instead of Peggy.
Peggy was not adverse to goirg with
them; but informed them that'in turn
she had few questions to ask.
Anything you like" said NJ. Fem
ton, who was delighted that their
names were alike and no changes we're
to be made.
1--WE are to consider, your wishes, my
dear, for you are to be our own little
daughter" added his pleasant wife.
care you so very rich?" asked Peggy,
looking wistfully into Mr.. Fenton's
kindly eyes.
The new papa and mamma looled at
each other and then at the child in
rather an amused way.
ave have money, dear. Enough to
take care of ourselves and you," the
lady said, gently.
Because you see, can't leave Sally
unless send her dumb watch cat
Christmas time"
"A dumb watch, Margaret, dumb
watch! Why, child, we can buy her
million of them"
While the people were laughing at
her simple request, Peggy few away to
acquaint Sally with her success.
Arrangements were made that Lem
was to take Peggy's place in Sally's,
heart, and was to receive, and have for
his very own, one of the four bushels
of dumb watches Peggy was to send
to Sally, on the condition that he
should allow Sally to call him Peggy.
1t was bitter pill for Lem to hear
every other boy at Westfeld call him
Peggy, but when he thought of the
shining, gilded watch he was to be the
happy possessor of at Christmas time,
his feelings were crowded back under
his short torn jacket, and he was salts
fed.
The manufacturers of toys in an
Eastern house received a letter just be-
fore the holidays which read thus:
DEAR Mr.. MANUFACTURES OF DUMB WATCHES
You are to send to Sally, at westfeld Aims
house, four bushels Of watches set at 4
o'clock in the afternoon, cause Sally had
happy time once at that hour. My new papa
said she could have million, but guess four
bushels will last her, for she's awful old.
P. S-You are to send another one to PegRy,
who used to be Lem, cause he's sally's boy
now; amt there.
MARGARET FENToN.
The little girl never knew that her
papa, in making out the order, reduced
the bushels by at least three and when
the letter came to Peggy, acknowledge
ing the receipt of the watches from
the master at Westfield, it told her how
delighted poor Sally was with her gifts,
and how she sat by the fire at o'clock
in the afternoon, when the packet came.
How she trembled with joy as she I'M
tied the pink string, and the shining
toys. all set at o'clock, greeted her
view. How all the inmates, old men
and young children, gathered about
her knees to witness the Joy which was
too much for her; and when they
gathered them from off her checked
apron, to lay her away to await the
morrow's burial at the side of Margaret
Fenton, Uncle Dan placed his trem-
bling hand upon the back of the chair
she had so recently occupied, and for
the last time, and said:
"My friends when r told porrv +1,,+