Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-11-20

anu MIS- DLONnf DuN al the AdnAAIs
and the very house they lived in. Why,
the King of the Cannibal Islands him
self could not have made her change
countenance unless she chose 20 do so.
Well. there they were-Morris Brown.
aged six years. Harris Brown, aged
three, and Miss Brown of hardly any
age at all These were the Brown chill.
dren.
"A bonny little lady," said Uncle
Tom. who had come all the way from
Philadelphia to take look at the baby.
At this point of time, as he gazed at
her through his spectacles, all the fam
lily crowded around; the boys, proud and
happy, stood on either side of him TO
hear what his opinion might be.
"a bonny little lady" repeated Uncle
Tom; ''and now, Stephania. what are
you going to call her?"
He turned so suddenly upon Mrs
Brown, in his brisk way. that it made
her start
Dear me! I--I-don't know" she
answered. Some novel, pretty name,
of course; something fanciful; but we
haven't settled upon one yet"
why not call her Stephania, after
you and me?" asked Grandmamma,
brightly
'Oh, dear, no." sighed Mrs. Brown:
''rd like something not so horri--. |
mean something more fanciful than
hdti''
We'll, declared" exclaimed Grand
mamma, and she closed her lips as If
resolved never to say another word
about it.
I'VE have thought OF Marjorie re-
marked Mr.. Brown, with funny twinkle
in his eyes, land, ahem! two or three
others-Mabel, for instance, and Ida.
and Irene, and Clara, and Jean, and
Olivia, and Francesca, Florence, too,
and Lily, and Alice, and Elinor, and
Anita, and Jessie, and Dora, and Isabel.
and Bertha. and Louise, and Candace.
and Alma; but Stephania condemns
every one Of them as too plain or toe
hackneyed. The fact is, all the pretty
names are used up"
Just then the wind howled dismally;
sere and yellow leaves whirled past the
windows.
Goodness, what weather" exclaimed
Grandmamma BLEAK even for No
ember-isn't it?''
Here's sunshine. though, murmured
Mrs. Brown, cheerily. You're little
pessus bit of booful sunshine, so you is.
even if you is poor 'itty 'Vember baby!"
and she fell to kissing Miss Brown in
the most rapturous manner.
"Ha! there it isl cried Uncle Tom.
"Vemba's her name. Her mother has
said it. Let us call her Vembai'
Every one laughed, but Uncle Tom
was in earnest; BESIDES he had to take
the afternoon train back to Philadel-
phia-and you know how they always
rush matters through in Philadelphia.
Its good name, and new" he said,
nodding his head in rotary way that
somehow took in Mr.. Brown, Mrs.
Brown, Grandma Brown, Morris Brown.
Harris Brown and Miss Brown. Its a
good name. Think it over. must be
OFF,
"Vemba, from November9" cried
Grandma. What bleak name! Dc
you want the poor child to be a shadow
on the house?" and the dear old lady
fourished her knitting as she spoke.
Whether it was the CLEAN of tae long
needles or Uncle Toms frantic but slow
way of putting on his coat-or whether
Miss Brown, catching Grandma Browns
words, had suddenly resolved to show
them that she hadn't the slightest in.
tention in the world of being shadow
on the house, do not know. But Ger
tain it is she smiled-smiled the bright
est, sunniest little smile you can i'm.
agine.
All the family were delighted. The
boys shouted. papa laughed, mamma
laughed. Uncle Tom laughed and grand
ma exclaimed: Well l neverr'
she's answered you. grandma" cried
Uncle Tom, bonding down with only one
sleeve Of his overcoat on-and actually
kissing the baby-"she has answered
you. la. ha! No clouds about her; you
see she's sunshine-girl. Well, good
bye, little Vemba; goodbye ALL and
he was out Of the room and on his way
to the train before the baby had time
to blink
Wei to make long story short, the
more they thought about the new name,
the better they liked it. Besides. Nor
ris and Harris who adored Uncle Tom,
would hear of no other. Papa declared
1t was not half bad" and even mamma
admitted that at least it was not COM
monplace. Meantime. the baby fell
into pleasant Sleep
When she awoke her name was Vemba
Brown.
That was four years ago this Novem-
Der, and now every one says that of all
the sweet sunny, bright little girls in
New York. Vemba Brown is the sun.
niest, brightest and sweetest She is
now thoroughly acquainted with Morris
and Harris; and as for Uncle Tom-well,
you should have seen her hug and kiss
him the other day when that gentleman
told the wee maiden that bleak Novem-
Der would soon be here, and gave her