Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-05-30
THAT GIRL.

like of that girl! don't believe there's
another of her sort in all California.
hope not, anyway"
Mrs. Fromer stood in the doorway of
her rude little cabin and looked with
interest and disapproval up the mount
ain road. There was nobody but little
four-year-old Jerry for her TO talk to,
and he was too busy to pay any atten-
ton, but with the performances of
"that girl for subject Mrs. Fromer
must talk.
There! Did anybody ever see any
thing to equal thatP Why, she just got
onto that dogs back and made him
jump over that rock as if he was
horse. What in the world is she up TO
now? Well, l do declare"
Quite overcome by establishment and
dismay, the woman had to stop talking
for moment, and stood in breathless
silence watching the strange goings on
which had so upset her mind.
And no wonder, for the pranks she
was witnessing were enough to make
any woman with fixed ideas of pro-
priety feel little faint and giddy. 1t
might be supposed that Mrs. Fromer
would have become used to such pranks
by this time, but she had not. No
body did become used to them, it
seemed. Consequently Hilo Mountain,
although it was not volcano, was al
ways in n state of disturbance, because
'that girl" was continually doing
something extraordinary.
Just now, without knowing-or car
ing-that she had spectator. she was
rehears:nG sort of Wild West show in
the rocky road little way above the
Fromer house. There were only two
performers-herself and the immense
dog she always had with her-but they
were so active and versatile and made
so much noise that they were more than
satisfactory.
1t was amusing to see the little midg-
et-she was only thirteen and small
for her age-playing Indian and scout
and stage driver and giving really
good imitation of each. And she went
at her fun with such spirit and enthu-
siasm that no locker on could help be-
ing excited in sympathy.
The dog, great st. Bernard, was
quite as enthusiastic as his mistress and
was full of the spirit of the occasion.
1t was evident that he saw no impro-
priety at all in this business. He gave
IL all the assistance in his power and
was wonderfully intelligent in his per-
formances.
Suddenly the girl stood upon the
dogs back and balanced herself there
with the skill of a monkey while the
creature scampered up and down the
road, leaped over rocks and did many
other breakneck things. The girl held
n stick in her hand, which she pre-
tended was gun, and at short inter-
walls she made believe" to fire the
weapon, giving at the same time an
Indian whoop.
1t was this feature Of the show that
had caused Mrs. Fromer to exclaim and
to hold her breath. 1t had also at
tracted the attention of little Jerry
Fromer. At once the child was filled
with admiration, and ran out into the
road to join the fascinating party.
His mother caught and brought him
back, not without loud protests on his
part. The girl heard his outcries and
understood them. She came racing to
the house door in the hope of securing
another playfellow.
Let me have him just little while!"
She was painting and flushed and
eager; her eyes sparkled and her face
was bright and animated. In spite of
her unkempt black hair and her torn
clothing she looked very pretty and
childish then, and there was certainly
nothing vicious in the straight look of
her pleading eyes.
Let PIE have him." she said again.
"I'll take right good care of him, and
he'll have loads o. fun. Ranter'll be
right glad to have him, too"
This last was meant as the highest
compliment that could be paid. Any
little boy whom the big dog was will
ing to accept as playmate was honorcd
indeed.
Jerry kicked in his mothers arms
and held out his hands to the girl ana
begged to 60 with her, but his mother
held him close and moved a step further
away.
1t was a movement of dislike. The
girl understood it. She drew back
as if from a blow, and she stopped coax
ing, while her face lost all its bright
animation. She was very sensitive
tomboy, apparently.
"Rillyr
All turned in n startled way to see
that Pete Pelter was standing beside
them, with look in his face that
seemed half sad and half angry.
"Why, dad! ye've got backr'
The girl sprung nimbly up and
caught her father round the neck,
where she chung. kissing his bearded
face. The rough mountaineer kissed
her in return, just as better dressed
father would have done, and stroked
her hair very tenderly.
"All right, amt ye, RillyP" he said.
"Ranter took good care on ye while l
was awayp Got to be of again, but I'll
be back this evenin'."
He kissed her again and put her down
on the ground.
Now you an Ranter be off to yer
fun. He's the comply you've got to
associate with, an no other!"
The girl and the dog ran away to-
gether and the man turned again to
speak to Mrs. Fromer.
IL don't want my gal to be intrudin'
an won't low her to be intrudin', F." he
said, with kind of rude dignity.
"She wasn't intruding. But / will
say this, Pete Pelter, you ought to stay
home more and keen her in some sort