Mohave County miner. [volume] (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918, 1890-05-10
THAT GIRL.

Hike Of that girl! don't believe there's
smother Of her sort In all CALIFORNIA;. I
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 bot little
four-year-old Jerry for her 70 talk to,
and be was too busy to pay any atten-
ton. but with the performances OF
THAT girr' for subject Mrs. Fromer
must talk.
'Therel DA anybody ever see any
thing TO egral thatp Why, she Just rot
onto that dogs back and made bin
jump Ever that rock as II he was .
horse. What in the world is she up 70
no'xP Well, ! do declare"
Quite overcome by astcnisAment and
dismsy, the woman had 70 stop talking
for moment aud Stood In breathless
silence watching ths strange goingy on
which had 20 upset her mind.
And no wonder. for the prapks she
was witnessing wers enough to mako
any woman with fixed ideas Of pro.
prtety feel little faint and giddy. 1t
mtzht be supposed that Mrs. Fromef
you'd have Become used to such prAnks
by this time. but abe had mot. No.
body did become used 70 them, Il
seemed. Consequently Hilo Mountain,
although 1t was NOT = volcano. was al
ways In . state o. disturbance. because
that girl" was continually doing
something extraordinary.
IuNf > 49, vvsthnx.t kunrwsuA-a% x.~~
sng-shat she had spectator. she was
rebearsinS sort Of Wild West show In
p.e rocky road little way above the
Fromer house There were only two
pcrformers--herself andXnhe immense
dog she always had with her--but they
were 20 active and versatile and made
20 much noise that they were more than
satisfactory.
1t was amusing to see the little midg-
et-shs was only thirteeA AID small
for her age-playiug Indian and scout
and stage driver aad giving really
good imitation Of each. And she went
ct her finn with such spirit and enthu-
siasm that NO locker on could help b.
ing excited In sympathy.
The dog. great ST Bernard, was
quite ~ enthusiastic q his mistress and
was full of the spirit Of the occasion.
It was evident tha& he saw NO impro-
priety 1t all In this business. He gave
IL all the assistance In his power and
was wondeffully intelligent in his per-
f0rmAnces.
|. 6addenly the girl stood upon the
dogs back and balanced herself there
with the skill Of 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-
tsnded was gun. and at short inter-
walls she made believe to fire the
weapon. giving at the same time an
Indian whoop.
II was this feature Of the show that
had caused Mr.. Fromsr to exclaim and
% hold her breath. It had also at
tracted the attention OF little Jerry
fromer. At once the child was filed
with admiration, and ran out into lac
road to join the fascinating party.
His mother caught and brought him
back, not without loud protests on bis
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 whiler'
She was painting and flushed and
eager; her eyes spRrkled 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
hsr pleading eyes.
Let me have him." she said again.
"I'Il 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 ~ the highest
compliment that could be paid. Any
little boy whom the big dog was will
ing to accept a. playmate was honored
indsed.
Jerry kicked in his mothers arms
ana held out his hands TO tho giri ana
begged to 60 with her. but his mother
held him close and moved step further
away.
Il was movement Of dislike. The
girl understood II. She drew back
- u from blow, and she stopped coax
Ing while her face lost all its bright
animation. She was very sensitive
soH ass apparently.
7 AL turned In a startled way TO see
that Pete Pelter was standing beside
them. with . look In his face that
seemed half sad and half angry.
Why. dadi ye've got backe'
The girl sprung nimbly up and
caught her father round the neck.
where she chung. kissing his bearded
facs. The rough mountaineer kissed
her in return. Just a. q better dressed
t&thcr would have done, and stroked
her hair very tenderly.
IAN right. amt We. Rilly?" he said.
'Rantcr took good care on We while /
was away? Got to be of again, but I'll
BE- back this evenin'.r
He kissed her again and put her down
on the ground.
Now you an Ranter be OF to yer
fun He's the comp'ny you've got to
associate with, an no otherr'
The girl and tho dog ran away to-
gether and the man turned again to
speak to. Mrs. Fron,er.
II dont want my gal to be intrudin'
an l won't low her TO be intrudip', !" he
said. with kind of rude dignity.
she wasn't inheuding. But will
ssy this. Pete Pelter. you ought to stay
home more and keep her In some sort
Of order. It's too bad. the way she
goes on. Why. she's the wors' child on