The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-05-13
LADY MAJENDIE
CHAPTER y.

Right happy are those who in after
life can look back upon a childhood un-
c!oudcd in ts calm and peace. Little
prrdita's life was as sweet and ha ppy as
arc the lives of little lambs and little
Lirds-nay, swecter, for storms, and
tird% Of prey. and many terrorS, burden
the lives of even the Youngest animals;
but from all little Perdita was sheltered,
perhaps fenced round ty the wings of All
angel. whose especial task might be to
guard the orphan baby.
Andrew and Nannic loved the very
ground she trOd On-she became the
center of their thoughts and plans. Dita
was the name little Perdta had given
herself when she first began to speak.
That first sentence was an era in her
history. They were sitting in the Park
Oh d ench, Mr.. and Mrs. Fairdon, with
Perdita between them, when man came
by with three puppies III his arms. The
child few after him. and caught one in
her little hands holding it strained
tightly to her flushed checks, and look
ing implorinaly at the owner.
"Dita have it, dada"
OF course it was bought, and called
Fluff, and Dita never lost her intense at
tachment to the little animal. Perditas
only playfellOw vas the young shOpman,
who devoted every spare moment to her
service. He was strange lad, awk-
ward and ungainly in appearance, with
large hands and feet, SlOuching gait, and
wisttul ewes. Long ago his master had
called him the melancholy Jacques, and
the name had stuck to HIM ever since.
He had been left fatheress some years
tcforC and his mother, reduced to OK
IRENE poverty, had found it hard to give
the Toy even the COmmOneSt education;
but even at ten years old his taste for
reading amounted to a passion. The
Toy struggled against every difficulty
dcvoured every book in the village Ii
brary, and hungercd for more; his mother
managed to make her living by wash
ing; and, wisely seeing that it was
impossible to content Jacques by a
country trade, sanctioned his going up
to London, with recommendation from
the village schOolmaSter Jacques was
fortunate enough to please Andrew Fair
don, and he entered upon his duties with
an enthusiasm that won his masters
heart He was among tooks-precious
books; he never ceased working TIL he
made himself acquainted with every
shelf, and the books added to the stock
were generally bought by him, for An.
drew was clever enough to see that
jacques soon knew more of his trade
than he did himself.
Before she could walk alone, Pcrdita
were =: sp sit fl BEL Gfing. her cat, her cIc-
phant or her horse: aud one day Mrs.
FairdOn had to run out and stop the
game Dita had invented. which was fill
ing dolls can at the pump and pour
ing It over his face.
AT one time it became impressed on
Andrews mind that he was made for
great things, that it was his destination
to achieve great literary success He
had now lived for years in a Shaks-
pcarian atmosphere, and that made him
determine that the first attempt should
be a play, after the manner of ShakS-
pcarc.
Perdta was year old, and very
pretty. She was Andrews constant
companion, sitting all the morning curled
upin corner of the shop with Fluff or
her doll, or trotting by his side out of
doors when he was free.
II was a time Of discomfort to Mamie
when her husband began his literary
labOrS; he almost deserted the shop, lcav-
ing the care OF it to jacques during the
great part of the day, and sat in the
parlOr passing from one tremendous
mood to another during the composition
OF the plot. Pcrdita was not alarmed
she was too much accustomed to his
ways: bnt now and then. if without anv
reason but the Joy Of some inspiration
within him. Andrew wouId lean up, strike
the table. ard utter laugh of triumph,
Fluff would rush forward in a paroXysm
Of Shriil, excited barking and then Dita
laughed also, and they would all kiss
and 60 back to their corners.
Comedy and Tragedy held the author
between them az they held the great
Garric!l Of old. Tragedy perhaps, was
the more attractive Of the twO-mOrc
sublime: but there was more play of
fancy in Comedy scope for grace
Iul imagery, in which Andrew considered
himself to excel
The plot was a considerable difficulty:
ii seemed to hlm that # he had but
plot. his pen would flow readily. His
genius Scorncd advice but was open to
irsiHuatcd suggestions, and one morning
be said
Mamie, were you to set yourself to
invent story, what would you say?"
She knew what he wanted.
A story Of a founding child would
be touching and swcct-would it not.
dcar?"
"lia' alone in tho world sans father,
sans mother, sans sister, sans brother
sOli!oquy. There must be a fool. and
king or duke: and some female con
hdante-two ladies, one rich-the dukes
daughter"
"JacqUy," said Dita, sitting on the lit
tie three-Icgged stool in the yard
''JaCquy, be a horse" He went down on
his knees.
This child's talk NAV be the making
81 my play murmured Andrew sitting
al the open window citing his pen.
Dta had climbed on her patient horses
LacN and was humping him hard.
My heroine goes ont hunting. he
noted down: lis told and somewhat
merciIess-she will need a Petruchio,
haply-''
Now jump: Jump jump" shouted
Dita. jump high. and me tumble off"
And She rolled off round his neck on to
Inc ground and pushing her curls off her
little rosy face, she cried
Now me dead
Andrew wrote down might and main:
the very way To get the fair lady under
The roof OF the Duke, was to have teen
thrown from her horse while hunting in
the forest, taken up for dead. and car
RED into he midst OF the court He
IooNeI up for moro Inspiration, but Dita
was tired Of being dead and was run
ming about on all tours with Jaques
after her, shouting
u bunny, and Won be dog and bite
me- and Fluff was half mad with ex-
element
Mrs. Fatrdon stood watching at the
door, and she did not stop the game to-
cav, tecause il was Saturday, and Dita
had on a dirty frock on purpose
When >hc went in, Andrew had laid
down the paper with 4 sigh of relief
Il have got my first act, Nan" he
"a d. That child j. a genius and has
roughJ me inspiration. feel now that
my poor brain wants rest: let Us take a