Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-29
A GIRLS DIARY.

ing the drops fall wildly down, spsAshin{
against the window as they cana A de
spondent face had. as / stood there think
ing. Oh. the tiresome, dreary day! Oh, fo
something to pass away the timel tuzne>
aud went out of the library and up the broa'
staircase. We lived in An old house on th'
outskirts Of tho city. This old place had beer
in possession of the family for over centur,
now. A weather beaten old rookery it was
but withai the most delightful place 10 fiv'
in, with its broad halls, great winding stair
case, and perfect wonder Of garnet ex
tending the whole length OF the house
/. was wonder in more WAYS than one
Old presses and old trunks were slowed ava,
against the walls, full of relics and fineries o.
the departed Hunrngdoas. Old books ane
manuscripts were piled on queer otd chair
and tables, and all sorts Of odd, interesting
things were to be found there.
Toward this place wenGed my way thai
rainy morning. Surely, thought |, in tn,
garnet shall find something 10 arnuse me; Il
has never failed me yet
Up went till came 10 the door l stoot
On the threshold a moment. Such ghostiy
old place it seemed, with its shadowy cur
ners, and the wild rain without knocking a
the windows
For second stood there, half afraid Il
enter, then, with laugh at my foolishness
walked boldly in.
poked around among the old chests 70,
awhile, and presently dragged forth triumph
antly to the light a little escritoire. Such q
pretty one it was. all inlsid with mother OF
pearl, with an ebony lid. The legs wer.
slender and spindling, and in the key hole
WAS Il tiny, worn, golden key, faded blue
ribbon hanging from it. | turned the key
excitedly. It moved just little hard, Us II
not liking to disclose the secrets within.
The lid opened and showed numerous littls
cubby holes and drawers which were locked
but which found would open with the same
key. By the side of tiny inkstand lay g
dainty penholder with the initials I'D. II
H." cut in it.
took the key and eagerly opened the first
drawer A book with golden clasp and n.
same initials on the cover lay therein
opened it e1citedly-I think without feeling
that might De doing wrong.
My eyes fell on the first page, on which
was written in a mans hand: ITO my little
daughter" And then, underneath it. in 4
words: 1.-THE private thoughts and reu.inis
cences Of Dorothy Helen Huntingdon" and
below, the date:
Dec. 25, l730--Wednesday. have wanted
a diary ever 50 long in my thoughts, but
did not tell father till he did say to me yes
terday: We'll, dear, what viii you have on
Christmas dayf
"a diary, father, please" said tonly
said dairy. think rather got it mixed w
with butter and eggs and cheese).
And father did laugh 50, and say: What
my little girl turn dairymaidr
NAY, dear father. book l mean" and
did feel so foolish at my making such mis-
takes-a girl of twelve years-on Christmas
day. turned my face away. well nigh cry
ing.
Why, what's thisl' said father, and he
raised my head II will bring thee twenty
books, but cry not, dearW
NAY, father, it is not that, but because
do make such foolish mistakes" And father
quite gravely, with all tho laughter gone
from bis face, took my hand in his and did
say 10 me that this was nothing, only natur a
that should make some little mistakes; but
it WIS the great mistakes that we must all
x O6A u dfduiS SAiA bi ~ oS0hiS'.
SO this morning l found my diary on my
pillow when l woke, and father had put
within it, ITO my little daughter" and be-
meath 1t l wrote, a. you see above, "Th' Phi
vate Thoughts and "reminiscences Of Dorothy
Helen Huntingdon" And / will write in i,
every day till next Christm as if l be spared
Dec. D. l7S0.-Thursday. l have been
greatly anGered this day and very wicked.
Madame dad say to me this morning: "Tell
me. MA chare, in French, that ! am beauti-
full" But i: did seem to me very queer, for
madame Though mean nothing uuseernly,
but quite the truth is not beautiful She Is
quite yellow, tall and thin, and with hooked
nose. So l did say nothing but Ali
when think Of il now blush for shame at
my wickedness-but l laughed. AMI mad
anne did rise up with q most awful look and
swept from the room Then | did feel the
blood rising TO my face, and my heart seemed
like to choke me, and did leave my chair
and 20 to fathers room.
But the door was closed, and IL did seem 10
me that everything would now be closed
against wicked me. Then did sit me down
outside the door and put my head into my
lap 80 that would not disturb father writ
lu2 Nlbuil- DuS ~ stfia tOIil nOb
keep my heart down longer. it choked ne 70.
and father, hearing sound, came out and
found me
And father brought me in, and did tell
him all, and nothing said be but. Little
daughter, this il one Of the small mistas -
that sometimes cause great soxrows" And
he did smooth nv hair and taks me 70 ma
dame TO ask for pardon, which mo.i gracious,
ly she granted And / now put thi. down 50
that may never, never forget that the small
mistakes do sometimes MAKE great Sorrcws
Dec. n, I73O.-Friday. Father took us TO
the staoles today, and there showed ms a
most beautiful pony black as night, and with
a soft silken rnAue and tail and father did
sat me 90 her and say: II bought this for a
friend Of mine, little girl / think | arm
mos. wicket. ever angry aad .esLous And
did feel 50 esavioas, for did want the pony
20 much myself, and nothing did say bot,
II am very glad fer the little girl; hope SIZE
may hke IL -
At the. father did laugh ourigh. and sAy:
the little maid Is not far away; rnaykAp
you know bert
And then Of fudden IL did Cash Across
NE that the little girl was ny very 81, and
did speak cut quite boldly and ay: '"Oh,
sir, Is II miner
And father laaShinsly did say: "Y.., lit
lie friend. IL b a sats Christmas GIFT and an
eariy View Year ona Wat viii you cal
her,
'-Gypey, dear fA:her, y sad /; and was 20
glad tia, knew not wbsi 70 do.
SO did think Tie vhs. coQld give sa;ber
IN return, and did 90 70 sbe kitchen ADD
ask cock II sas wo0ld kindly ALLOW as 20
make . pae for father.
And did make mot beautiful one, a.
bes. did lss it fall upon tie foo< Ia oarTy-
Co. :. En- IT, -~z-vw C-st T Av~@<-x ~ -