The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-04-09
THAT GIRL.

OF that girl, and | 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 in
terest and disapproval up the mountain
road. There was nobody but little four
year old Jerry for her to talk to, and he
was too busy to pay any attention, but
with the performances of 'that girl" for
a subject Mrs. Fromer must talk.
"Therel Did anybody ever see any
thing to equal that Why, she Just got
onto that dogs back and made him
jump over that rock as if he was a horse.
What in the world is she up to now2
Well, do declare"
Quite overcome by astonishment and
dismay, the woman had to stop talking
for moment, and stood in breathless
silence watching ths 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 propriety feel
little faint and giddy. Itmight be sup
posed that Mrs. Froman would have be-
come used to such pranks by this time,
but she had not. Nobody did become
used to them, it seemed. Consequently
Hilo Mountain, although it was not vol
cano, was always in a state of disturb
ance, because "that girl" was continually
doing something extraordinary.
Just now, without knowing-or caring
that she had spectator, she was re-
hearsing 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 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 see the little midget
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 hel
fun with such spirit and enthusiasm that
no locker on could help being excited il
sympathy.
Tine dog, a great st. Bernard, wa
quite rs enthusiastic as his mistress anC
was full of the spirit of the occasion. i
was evident that he saw no impropriety
at all in this business. He gave it all thu
assistance in his power and was wonder
fully intelligent in his performances.
Suddenly the girl stood upon the dog
back and balanced herself there with tht
skill of a monkey while the creatur,
scampercd up and down the road, leapeC
over rocks and did many other breaknecl
things. The girl held a stick in he
hand, which she pretended was a gun
and at short intervals she ''made believe
TO fire the weapon, giving at the samt
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 attracted
the attention of little Jerry Fromer. Al
once the child was filled with admira.
ton, and ran out into the road to joiI
the fascinating party.
His mother caught and brought hin
back, not without loud protests on hi.
part. The girl heard his outcries anG
understood them. She came racing tC
the house door in the hope of securing
another playfellow.
"Let me have him just a little while =
She was painting and flushed and eager
her eyes sparkled and her face was
bright and animated. In spite of hel
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 me have him" she said again.
"I'll take right good care of him, and
he'll have loads of 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 willing
to accept as playmate was honored in,
deed.
Jerry kicked in his mothers arms and
held out his hands to the girl and begged
to go with her, but his mother held him
close and moved step further away.
1t was movement of dislike. The
girl understood it. She drew back as il
fr)m blow, and she stopped coaxing
while her face lost all its bright anima-
tion. She was a very sensitive tomboy
apparently.
''Rillym
All turned in a startled way to see that
Pete Pelter was standing beside them,
with look in his face that seemed hall
sad and half angry.
"Why, dad ye've got back"
The girl sprung nimbly up and caught
her father round the neck, where sh,
clung, 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
Gan right, amt ye, Rllly?" he said
''Ranter took good care on We while
was away2 Got to be. off again, but III
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 comp'ny you've got to associate
with, an no Otherl"
The gill and the dog ran away together
and the man turned again to speak tC
Mrs. Fromer.
81 don't want my gal to be intrudin
an | won't low her to be intrudin'," hC
said, with a kind of rude dignity.
"She wasn't intruding. But will
say this, Peter Pelter, you ought to stay