West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-03-20
THAT GIRL.

another Of her sort in all California. /
hope not, anyway
Mrs. Fromer Stooo in the doorway of
her rude little cabin and looked with in
terest aud disapproval up the mountain
road. There was nobody but little four
year-old Jerry for her to talk to. and nc
was too busy to pay any attention, hut
with the performances OF that girl" for
a subject Mrs. Fromcr must talk.
''There! Did anybody ever see any
thing to equal that! why she lust got
onto that dogs back and made him
jump over that rock rs if he was horse
What in the world is she up to now
Well, do declare"
Quite overcome 10y astonishmcnt and
dismay, the woman had 70 stop talking
for moment, and stood in brcathless
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 propricty feel
"A little faint and giddy. 1t might be sup
posed that Mrs. Froman would have be
come used to such pranks 10y this time.
but she had not. Nobody did become
used to them, it seemed Consequently
tilo Mountain, although it was not a vol
cano, was always in state Of disturb
auce, because that girl was continually
doing something extraordinary
Just now, without kuowing-or caring
that She had spectator, she was re-
hearsing a sort of Wild West show in the
rocky road little way above the Fromcr
house. There were only two performers
herself and the immense dog she al
ways had with her-but they were SO
active and versatile and made so much
noise that they were more than salts.
factory.
1t was amusing TO sec the little midget
she was only thirteen and small for
her age-playing Indian and scout and
stage driver and giving a really good
| imitation of each. Aud she went az her
fun with such spirit and enthusiasm that
no locker on could help being excited in
sympathy.
the dog, a 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 impropriety
at all in this business. He gave it all the
assistance in his power and was wonder
fully intelligent in his performances.
Suddenly the girl stood upon the dogs
back ana balanced herself there with the
! skill of a monkey while the creature
scampercd up and down the road. leapcd
over rocks and did many other breakncck
things. The girl held a stick in her
hand, which she pretended was n gun.
and at short intervals she 'madc believe"
to fire the weapon, giving at the same
time an Indian whoop
II was this feature OF the show that
had caused Mrs. Fromcr TO cNclaim aud
TO hold her breath II had also attracted
the attention Of little Jerry Fromcr. At
once the child was filed with admira
ton, and ran out into the road to join
the fascinating party.
His mother caught aud brought him
back, not without loud protests on his
part The girl heard his outcrics and
understood them. She came racing to
the house door in the hope Of securing
another payfcllow.
"Lct mc have him Just little while ,''
She was painting and flushed aud csger
her eyes sparkled and her face was
! bright and animated I'm spite Of her
unkcmpt black hair and her torn clothing
she looked very pretty and childish then.
and there was certainly nothing vicious
i'm the straight look Of her plcadine
| eyes
'Let me nave him, she said again.
''I'll take right good care Of him, and
hell have loads OF fun Rantcrll bc
right glad 10 have him. too
This last was meant as the hughes.
! compliment that could be paid. ANY
little boy whom the big dog was willing
10 accept as q playmate was honorcd iu
decd.
Jerry kicked in his mothers arms and
held out hi, hands 20 the girl and begged
TO go with her. but his mother held him
close and moved p step further away.
II was movement Of dislike. Tho
! girl understood it She drew back ay If
from % blow. and she stopped coaxinr.
while her face lost all ifs bright anima-
iiou. She was % very sensitive tomboy
apparently
! "RilIy.'
] MI iNI iI'H III "a HINfIIfl WY To see fIIN.
| Pete Peitcr was eta1du2 beside them.
with look in his face that seemed hall
/ sad and half 3ugy
Why, dad ycvc got back"
The girl sprung uimblv up and cgugh.
| her father round the neck. whore SIN,
rIun9, kissing his bearded face. Tho
| rough mouuiaiuccr kissed her in return.
| just 1 "a better dressed father would have
done, aud strokcd her hair very tondcrly.
"All right amt SO, Rlllyt hc said
'.'autCr took good care ON yo while ]
| was owayf Got 10 be- of again but III
/ be back this cvenin'
; lie kissed her again md put hcI down
ON the ground
'Now you op Rant-r be- of to yer fm.
! Hes The comp'ny you've got TO associate
: with sn n0 othcr'
Tho giil and tho dog ran away together
ond tbc man turned again To- speak "a
| Mrs FrOmcr
''l do1' want my gal TO bo intudiu
am won't low her to be intrudin, hC
said, with a kind of rude dignity
''Shc wasn't iotrudiug But I will
say this Peter Peltw, you ought to stay
home more and keep her in some sort o..
/ order Ii's too bad, the way ahc poc.