Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-10-24
MISS VrLET.
BY Macy CHASE PERRY.

from the south at the first hint oil
over warm weather. At an early
hour in the day, the piazzas are
thronged. Here and there are couples
strolling along, stopping only 10 in
hale to the full the invigorating tone
OF the mountain air. Now and then
one comes across an invalid costly
ensconced in a steamer chair, and
he seems to glory in having the suns
warmrays wrap him fromhead toioot
We hear a steady tramp OF feet and
as we move aside TO let a gay troop
OF young people pass US, one calls out.
I'VE are on our ninth round now!'
They have estimated that the distance
four times around the piazza makes "A
mile. Behind them, with slower gait,
| comes pale faced man with bowed
head and hands clasDed behind,
Doubtless his thoughts are upon his
northern home where, perhaps, he has
| left his wife and babies Possibly hrs
| mind is filled with desire 10 clasp them
| once more in his arms, the hope in
| spring him with new zeal to make n
| greater effort to regain his lost health,
/ He throws back his shoulders and as
he draws in long breath or two, !
fancy his eyes brighten and he feels
| new life surging through the veins.
A little figure approaches the en-.
| trance TO the hotel Her faded sun
] bonnet lies carelessly on her shoulders
and leaves exposed small, brown
| face OF unusual beauty. From her
bare arms hang various small baskets
| fashioned curlously as only the Caro-
lima mountaineer makes them. Well,
what have you brought this morning,
! Topsy?" an old habitue OF the place
/ calls out.
She disdainiully ignores the ques.
ton and turns her small shr ulders
squarely from before the young man.
then moves toward group oil ladies,
Would you all like 10 buy some baws.
kets?" she asks, holding up her wares.
The ladies take what she oilers,
eager to have something to carry
home as souvenirs OF the place. The
pale-iaced man approaches and she
glanccs up at him, holding at an arm 5
length the one remaining trinket
! Only five cents, sab. she says
with fetching little smile, showing q
row OF small white teeth. The stran-
ger bestows a glance Of interest upon
the child.
Il will take it, " hesays, and as he
fumbles for the change lie asks who
wcavcs the baskets"
dad makes en-, she answers, add.
ing, with nm assumption OF dignity,
but takes de awdahs +"
you must be very busy" the gen.
tlemanreturns kindly, ~ you always
make as ready sales rs you have this
morning
"Wcll, de wuk slncksup wen denori.
ers 90 home, an den me an dad res
mp, she says with the mir Of an over.
worked millionaire
The young man who had greeted her
on her arrival starts around the
piazza She gazes after him disap.
provingly and then addresses the pale
man: "My name amt Topsy," she
says conlidentinlly, us Miss Ni'let ("
Thereafter Miss Ni'let appeared
severed times each week and became
a familiar figure around the hotel.
She generally sought out this pale
faced man, who seemed to take an
interest in her which she returned
One morning she brought her baskets
iilled with trailing arbutus. The bios.
SONS were speedily bought by the
guests, except one bunch, which she
iealously guarded. The dainty pink
petals shone between her small fingers
as she attempted to cover and "a
often as a purchaser selected this par
ticular cluster she shook her hend
decidedly. "Dis ERE ones served. 1"
she said; "I's keepin' it fer de gem
man."
When ode gcm'man" approaches
for his survey OF her stock, she held
the blossoms out to him. 'Dey's de
berry nices' could fin, she said, her
cheeks dimpling deeply.
lie put his hand in his pocket but
she intercepted the movement.
~ glib 'em TO you," she explained
and quickly ran away.
You're very highly favored" by.
stander catled out lightly.
The pale man seemed to treasure
the little gift and looked for the child
to come again. She had saved n
! special bunch for him as before. lie
demonstrated with her.
you will ruin your trade, Miss
VI'let, and / must insist on your al.
lowing me to buy you posies"
Her large eyes filled with tears and
her lips trembsd MS shercplicd: "You
kin buy de bawssets, sab; dey's Dad 1
trade, but de beauties is my gif'.
The gentleman said no more. His
room was ever fragrant with the early
blossoms, but we noticed that no gave
most extravagant orders for basket
work and screen frames.
Miss Ni'let is an amazing politi
clan, ono OF the young men ventured
One DAY was out on one OF my us
ual rambles, sketch book in hand
seeking whom might devour," wher
l came across handsome younl
| negro ut work near d tiny log cabin
! implored him to pose Tor me, but h,
I declared he was too busy.
q ttNnnllt Y,Hnlsa ittgN ,,.,,ol, ,..s....