The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-06-07
THAT GIRL.

Mrs. Fromcr 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 10 talk TO.
and he was too busy 70 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 thata Why. she just got
onto that dogs back and made him
Jump over that rock as IL he was a
horse. What Ia the world Is she up 10
nowp Well. do declare"
Quite overcome by establishment and
dismay, the woman had TO stop talking
for moment. and stood Ia 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. Ii
might be supposed that Mrs. Fromer
would have become used 10 such pranks
by this time, bat she had not. Mo-
body did become used 10 them, IL
seemed. Consequently Hilo Mountain.
although Ii was not a volcano, was al
ways Ia state of disturbance. because
that girl" was continually doing
something extraordinary.
just now, without knowing-or car
ing-that she had "A spectator she was
rehearsing sort of Wild West show in
the rocky road a little way above the
Fromer house. There were only two
performers-herself and the immense
II. "A A.. l..r t.ste ha.xf
were 80 active and versatile and made
SO much noise that they were more than
satisfactory.
Ii was amusing to see the little midg-
et--she was only thirteen and small
for her age-playing Indian aud scout
and stage driver aud giving really
good imitation Of each. Aud she went
ut her fun with such spirit and enthu-
siasm that no locker on could help be-
ing 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.
Ii was evident that he saw no impro-
priety al all In this business. He gave
Il all the assistance in his power and
WAS wonderfully intelligent ia his per-
formances.
Suddenly the girl stood upon the
dogs back aud 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
= stick In her hand, which she pre-
tended was gun. and ut short inter-
walls she made believe" 10 lire the
weapon. giving at the same time an
Indian whoop.
It was this feature of the show that
had caused Mrs. Fromer 10 exclaim and
10 hold her breath. IL had also at
racted 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 10
the house door In the hope OF securing
another playfellow.
Let me have him just little whilem
She was painting and flushed aud
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.
"rlI 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 rs the highest
compliment that could be paid. Any
little boy whom the big dog was will
Ing to accept as playmate was honored
indeed.
Jerry kicked ia his mothers arms
and held out his hands 20 the girl ana
begged to 90 with her, but his mother
held him close and moved step further
away
IL was a movement OF dislike. The
girl understood il. She drew back
as II from blow. and she stopped coax
ing, while her face lost all its bright
animation. She was a very sensitive
tomboy. apparently.
"Rilyl"
All turned In startled way 10 see
that Pete Pelter was standing beside
them. with look in his face that
seemed half sad aud half angry.
Why dad ye'ye got backl'
The girl sprung nimbly up and
caught her father rosnd the neck.
where she clung. kissing his bearded
face. The rough mountaineer kissed
her Ia return. just as better dressed
father would have done, and stroked
her hair very tenderly.
''All right, amt ye, Rilly~ he said.
'Ranter took good care on ye while |
was awayP Got to be OFT again. but I'll
~. h..l at. .~.,f,f