Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-01-02
THE STEPMOTHER.

"Ihe sweetest little cherub that ever
you saw!' said Mrs. Constant. But,
oh. such caret'
II told you so. Mary" said old Aunt
Arabella, sourl,. "when you would In
sisl on marrying widower with
childw
But loved him." said the little
bride wistfully.
stuff and nonsense!" said Aunt Ara
bella. The woman never lived who
could get along with another woman's
child"
We'll, mean TO try.' said Mrs.
Constant. "Aud think should man
age splendidly II only the first Mrs.
Constants old-maid sisters would keep
away. and Mr. Constants mother-in-
law by his first wife wouldn't persist
in coming here every day to see if
Dita has enough llanncls on. and eats
her quantum OF oatmeal, aud says her
satechism regularly"
Tell Bridget not TO let them iu."
suggested Aunt Arabella.
"AHd make mischief between John
and his first wife's relationsl' said Mrs.
Constant. oh. / couldn't do thatv
just then the door ilew open. and
little Dta herself trotted in. a golden
tressed. pink checked fairy of three
years oil. And close beside her
slalkcd her maternal grandmother,
Mrs. Cartwhistle. with the two Misses
Cartwlistle following in the rear.
Il am surprised, Mary" said the
step-mother-in-law. ITO hear from
Bridget that Perdita is allowed TO wear
her best white frock every dayw
She looks so pretty in it,, said Mrs.
Constant. pleadingly. And she will
soon outgrow it,"
1t is not the way my girls were
brought up" said Mrs. CarlwhistIe.
I've just been counting over her
dresses. dozen sashes. eighteen
ruflled and embroidered skirts"
"A child like that needs great
many changes. said Mrs. Constant.
And that big doll of hers" added
Miss Susanna Cartwhistle, with the
haxen hair and the eyes that open aud
shut. declare its positive idolatry--
that's what it is"
Mrs. Constant WINGED.
But. indeed, Susanna" said she,
II didn't buy the doll! 1t was Il gift
from her god-mamma to Dita."
Il think it ought 10 be sold for the
benefit Of the heathcn," Miss Maliua
said.
And | was shocked to see Bridget
giving her jam--yes. raspberry jam
upon her bread and butter. for dinner"
added the old lady.
''its very plain" apologlzed the
young stcpmothcr. Il made it N.Y.
self, last summer. Aud Dita is so fond
nf it,"
Me yike waddery dam" solemnly
enuncated this small bone Of conien-
ton, who had been looking grayely
from one to another Of the speakers.
rs a child's digestion OF no conse-
quence?' demanded Mrs. Cartwhistle.
Are the rules of hygiene TO he set
entirely at deiiauce?" Miss Malna
questioned.
The seeds of disease to be implaut.
ed even at this early age?' added Miss
Susanna.
Bat her Aunt Arabella rose up
bus,ling aud indignant. in her niece 5
defence.
ut strikes me, ladies'" said 3he.
'that we are all Of us mcddling with
what Is mono of our business. My
niece, Mary. as the wife of Charles
Constant and s,epmother of this little
child. Is doubtless better judge OF
these matters than we prcteud to be.
Mary, il yoa are going out shopping
with me. it's high lime you put on your
bonnet
The bride looked timidly around.
III Mrs. Cartwhistle. aud Maliua.
and Susanna will excuse me" said she,
doublfully.
"Oh, we are of no consequence. ="
said Miss Maliua. with toss of the
head.
Pray don't remain at home on our
account" said Miss Susanna.
1--WE are just going TO take leave
ourselves" said Mrs. Cartwhistle,
sourly.
Me do. too. mamma" coaxed little
Dita, seizing hold of the skirts Of Mrs.
Constants dress. "Me do with 90.
mo. darling. no." said Mrs. Con-
stant ringing the bell for Bridget.
"You are too little"
Exercise is good for the child" in-
terposed grandmamma Carlwhisile.
"Ettertise dood for l." This was
Dita's mite.
And you know you were croupy
last night" added Mrs. Constant.
tenderiy.
Il never could find it in my heart to
leave a child that wasn't well, croaked
Malina
But, added Susanna, "a stepmother
knows nothing Of the sensations that
agitate a true maternal heart"
And the bride, fairly driven 10 the
last extremity Of patience, took al
abrupt departure, leaving the small
Dita shrieking in the arms of Bridget.
while her grandmother and maiden
aunts stood round. sort of commiser-
ating chorus.
She has no heart at allr' growled
Miss Malina.
Il told Charles how il would be when
he would persist in marrying that slip
of child" said Mrs. Cartwhistlc.
"What can one expect OF step
mother?" gloomily demanded Miss
Susanna.
Aud the grandmother and the two
maiden aunts went grimly away.
But when Mrs. Constant returned
from her shopping expedition. there
was an evident atmosphere OF conster-
nation about the house.
Mrs. Cartwbistlc stood sobbing in
the middle OF the iloor. with pocket
handkerchief pressed 10 her eyes; Miss
Malna aud Miss Susanna were hurry
ing to and fro, wildly wringing their
hands; aud Mr. Constant himself had
Just arrived ia a cab.
Dear mel" cried the young step
mother. What can have happened?n
II told you so! said Mrs. Cart
whistle.
Il always prophcsied il!' said Miss
MaIina.
Il foresaw II from the very begin
ingw said Miss Susanna.
''Bat what Is tho mattcr?' gasped
Mrs. Constant. ''lIas anything hap
pcned io--io dear lille D.ia?"
She's drowncdr said Mrs. Cart
whistle.
In the great Persian jar!' said Sus-
anna.
FILLED It with water out Of the bath
tul, ,,na tta,, e,-,, a. tai In hersolf .taar