The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-07-02
WINNIE.

Within 100 miles OF my town there
lives a girl. Her age Is somewhere be
tween 10 and 10 years. She Is not
exactly pretty, though she comes very
near being so when she smiles; Meth
er Is she exactly homely whe~ she is
not smiling. though none OF her fea-
lures Is classical and she Is slightly
freckled. She does not dress In the
height OF fashion. nor, on the other
hand. does she ever look shabby or old
fashioned, though she does sometimes
wear made-over dresses and trimmed
over hats. She cannot really be called
accomplished. thot gh she can sing In
differently well. play very little on
the plano and write an interesting let
ter. In company she quite often can
not think OF anything to say, though
when with the girls she is sometimes
accused OF talking too much. She Is
not a brilliant scholar and she is not
by any means a dul, one. In short,
she Just a common, everyday kind
OF girl, like dozens you see every time
you go where there are many girls to
be seen.
Perhaps | should not give the Inn
preston that she Is exactly like other
girls. for she does have one peculiar
gift, and yet, after all the only pecu-
liar thing about II is that she chooses
to use II right along. while GOO many
other grls-and boys and grown peo-
pie. for that matter-though they have
the same gift. keep II locked up most
OF the time. and use It only on very par
ticular occasions.
The only thing | can compare this
gift TO-. nj the moment, Is n bit OF the
sun, and II might be called a pocket
sunshine generator, though pocket is
the worst possible place for It.
To show how useful this little gift
may be made In cloudy weather is my
reason for introducing you to Winnie,
for that Is the name OF this everyday
kind OF glrl-Winnie Smith.
Wlnnle's life has not been marked by
any startling events. and certain win
ter day, not long ago, viii serve my
purpose as well as any other.
She rose. then. little later than usu-
nj that morning. Ii was cold in her
room. and she laughed to hear her teeth
chatter together as she made n quick
toilet. and then ran downstairs to
breakfast.
Breakfast wasn't quite ready. The
baby was crying. his lists doubled up
and very red In the face; Mrs. Smith
with an anxious brow, was trying to
pacify him, while Mr.. Smith was re
reading the last nights newspaper with
moody expression Of countenance.
The instant Winnie appeared on the
scene there was n change. though al
she said was "Good morning" The
baby stopped crying and held out his
arms TO Winnie, who took him and be
gan talking to him; Mrs. Smiths brow
became smooth and tranquil as sh,
rose to finish setting the food on tn,
table. and Mr.. Smith smiled over the
top of his newspaper. In less than five
minutes the baby was sitting In hli
high chair pounding the tray with hi,
two little fists and Growing, while tn,
rest OF the family were laughing mt hi.
energy and good spirits as they at,
their breakfast and cheerfully dis
cussed their plans for the day
At about o'clock Winnie started I,
school for there was an errand 70 b,
done on the way Mt a store. The cir
at the counter had sat up nearly al
night nursing a sick brother and locke,
and felt as cross as two sticks. Befor,
Winnie had fairly told her errand tn
girl looked pleasanter; before the par
eel was done up she smiled and a
Winnie disappeared through the doc
the girl really looked as though sh
thought the world a very nice place.
And all that Winnie had done was I,
make n few pleasant remarks abou
the weather and prevent the girl from
taking down lot OF unnecessary boxe
from the shelves. because she saw tn
girl was tired, and to smile and nod
good-by when she turned TO 10.
AS Winnie came out Of the store sh
caught sight OF little ragged boy sit
ting on the curbstone. A large tea
was rolling down his grlmy cheek. an
he looked the picture of woe. Winai
stopped and spoke to him and qaes
toned him, and found out that he wa
cold. yes. and hungry,
Dear me. this will never dol" sai
Winnie. Come with me. my littl
, man." and she led him. across the stree
, Into the grocery store. AS her scLo,
was at considerable distance froI
. her home. Winnie usually rode N III
, cars one way. and so che had just
cents with her With the cents sh
bought a PUFFY mince turnover and
, shiny bun. and when she had asked ii
storekeeDer TO let the boy sit beside II