Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-10-04
mixed up with butter and eggs and

And father did laugh so, and say:
s'What! my llttle girl turn dairymaidl"
NAY, dear father, book I mean"
and did feel so foolish at my making
such mistakes-a girl Of twelve years
on Christmas Day. l turned my face
away, well-nigh crying.
"Why, what's this2' said father, and
he raised my head. II will bring thee
twenty books, but cry not, dear!"
''Nay, father, it is not that, but be-
cause do make such foolish mistakes"
And father, quite gravely, with all the
| laughter gone from his face, took ny
hand in his and did say to me that this
was nothing, only natural that | should
make some little mistakes; but it was the
great mistakes that we must all guard
against and pray against.
So this morning | found my diary On
my pillow when | awoke, and father had
put within it: ITO my little daughter"
| and beneath it wrote, as you see above:
''The Private Thoughts and Reminis-
cences of Dorothy Helen Huntingdon"
And 1 will write in it every day till next
Christmas if be spared.
December 26th, 173O.-Thursday. I
have been greatly angered this day and
very wicked. Madame did say to me
this morning: "Tell me, ma chere, in
French, that I am beautiful" But it
did seem to me very queer, for madame
Though l mean nothing unseemly, but
quite the TRUTH is not beautiful. She is
quite yellow, tall and thin, and with a
hooked nose. So did say nothing but
- Ali when I think of it now blush
for shame at my wickedness-but |
laughed. And madame did rise up with
most awful look and swept from the
room. Then I did feel the blood rising
to my face, and my heart seemed like to
choke me, and did leave my chair and
go to fathers room.
But the door was closed, and it did
seem to me that everything would now
be closed against wicked me. Then I
did sit me down outside the door and put
my head into my lap so that would not
disturb father writing within. But soon
it did seem I could not keep my heart
down longer, it choked me so, and father,
hearing sound, came out and found me:
And father brought me in, and l did
tell him all, and nothing said he but,
''Little daughter, this is one of the small
mistakes that sometimes cause great sor-
rows" And he did smooth my hair and
take me to madame to ask for pardon,
which most graciously she granted. And
I now put this down so that may never,
never forget that the small mistakes do
sometimes make great sorrows.
Dec. 9th, 1870. - Friday. Father
took me to the stall es to-day, and there
showed me most beautiful pony, black
as night, and with soft, silken name and
tail. And father did seat me on her and
say: II bought this for friend of mine,
little girl" think am most wicked,
ever angry and jealous. And I did feel
so envious, for did want the pony so
much myself, and nothing did say but:
Il am very glad for the little girl; hope
she may like it."
At that father did laugh outright and
say: ''The little maid Is not far away;
mayhap you know herr"
And then of suddenit did flash across
me that the little girl was my very self,
and did speak out quite boldly and say:
ooh, sir, is it mine?"
And father laughingly did say: eyes,
little friend; it is a late Christmas gift
and an early New Year one. What will
you call herr"
"Gypsy, dear father" said I; and I
was so glad that | knew not what to do.
So I did think me what could I give
father in return, and 1 did go into the
kitchen and ask cook if she would kindly
allow me to make pie for father.
And I did make a most beautiful one,
albeit I did let IT fall upon the floor in
carrying it to the pantry. But 1 busted
it off quite cleanly, land father was greatly
pleased.
[ took lesson in riding, and father
did make me present of beautiful
gold handled whip that did belong to my
mother.
December 29th, Saturday. I
rode forth upon my dear Gypsy this
morning with father. It was beautiful.
Ny Cousin Patience comes this day. I
am very glad, for Patience is my favorite
cousin.
Father did tell me that her mother was
my dear mothers sister. Patience has
hair that shines gold-like in the sun, and
her eyes are blue as speedwells.
She hath some years more than I, be-
ing twenty. She doth ride like the
wind on a milk-white steed, and she hath
a most beautiful habit of green velvet,
trimmed with silver lace.
''But you will not have Patience long,
mayhap," said father. 81 think some
one is going to take her away"
NAY, dear father" said I; for