The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1892-01-30
THE STEPMOTHER.

The sweetest little cherub that ever
you saw said Mrs. Constant. But,
oh such n care!''
Il told you so, Mary" said old Aunt
Arabella. sourlv. when you would in
sisl on marrying widower with "A
childw
But loved him." said the little
bride wis,fuly.
stuff and nonsensem said Aunt Ara
bella. The woman never lived who
could ge. along with another womans
child"
We'll. mean to try" said Mrs.
Constant. And think should man
aye splcnhidly if only the first Mrs.
Constants old-maid sisters would keep
away. and Mr.. Constants mother-in-
law by his first wife wouldn't persis,
in coming mere every day to see il
Dita has enough Hanncls on. and eats
her quantnm of oatmeal. and says her
catechism regularly"
Tell Bridget not to let them in."
suggested Aunt Arabella.
And make mischief between John
and his first wife's reations!' said Mrs.
Constant. .'Oh. | couldn't do that
just then the door flew open. and
little Dita herself trotted in. golden
tressed, pink.cheeked fairy of three
years old. Aud close beside her
s,alked her maternal grandmother.
Mrs. Cartwhistle. with the two Misses
Cartwhistle following in the rear.
Il am surprised Mary" said the
step ep-mother-in-law Ito hear from
Bridget that Perdit, is allowed TO wear
her best white frock every day!'
She looks so pretty in il. said Mrs.
Constant. pleadingly And she will
soon ontgrow il.
1T is not the way my girls were
brought up" said Mrs. Cartwhistle.
I've just been counting over her
dresses. dozen sasheS eighteen
rufiled aud embroidered skirts"
A child like that needs great
many changes" said Mrs. Constant.
Ard that big doll of hers" added
Miss Susanna Cartwhistle. with the
haxcn hair and the eyes that open and
shut declare it's positive idolatry-
that's what it is
Mrs. Constant WINGED.
But. indeed. Susanna" said she
Il didn', buy the doll! II was gif,
from her god-mamma to Di,a."
Il think il ought To he sold for the
benefit of the heathen.' Miss Malina
said.
Aud | was shocked To see Bridges,
giving her jam-yes. raspberry jam
upon her bread and butter, for dinner"
added the old lady.
It's very plain" apologiz ii the
Young Sirpmother. Il made il my
self. last summer. And Dta is 81. fond
of it.
Me yike wahdcry dam" -oirmnly
rnuncinird this small bone III rnnten-
iio,,. who hal been luokin. .raveIy
irom ou" Ia another Of the speakers.
us child's digestion Of no conse-
quence?" demanded Mrs. Cartwnisllr.
Are the rules of hygien. To he Sc
entirely at dciianceo' Miss Malina
questioned.
The seeds of disease Ia be implanl-
ed even 1T this early age?' added Miss
Susanna.
But her Aunt Arabell, rose up.
bu-,ling and indignant. in her niece
defence.
1T strikes me-. ladies said >h.
THAT We are all of rs ncd,lliny win
what j. none of our business. My
niece. Mary. as the wife "f Charles
Constant and stepmother of this little
child. is doubtless II better Judge oi
these matters than we pretend To he.
Mary. il you are going out shoppin.
with me. it's high time yon pnt on your
bonnet"
The bride looked ,imidly around.
..tf Mr. aud Nalina
aud Susanna will excuse me. said she.
doubtfully.
oh. we are of no consequence"
said Miss Malina. with a toss of the
head.
Pray don't remain at home on our
account" said Miss Susanna.
I'VE are just going to take leave
ourselves" said Mrs. Cartwhistle.
sourly.
Me do. too. mamma" coaxed little
Dita. seiziny hold Of the skirts Of Mrs.
Constants dress. ME do with 90.
No. darling, no." said Mrs. Con-
stant ringing the bell for Bridget.
''Yon are too little"
Exercise is good for the child" in.
terposed grandmamma Cartwhistle.
''Ettertiss dood for l." This was
Dita's mite.
'.Aud you know you were croupy
last night" added Mrs. Constant.
tenderly.
Il never could find it in my heart to
leave 4 child that wasn't WE'LL" croaked
Malina-
But added Susanna. "a stepmother
knows nothing Of the sensations that
aEitate true maternal heart"
And the bride. fairly driven to the
last extremity Of patience. took an
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 all!'' growled
Miss Malina.
Il told Charles how il would he when
he would persist in marrying that slip
Of child" said Mrs Cartwhistlo.