The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-18

| tested by all she, as a "Deepwater Bap-
! tist," held dear, that she had never worn
shirt waist of any kind in all her life;
her foot incautiously thrust forward at the
moment. clad in Miss Morris best Isle
thread stockings. The grey gown, the pale
blue ribbons, the white hat the neat
gloves the dainty handkerchief, and neat
umbrella, all received a share of that
hungry gaze. for Miss Morris was a woman
Of great refinement. and carried about her
always an atmosphere Of peace and purity
I a bouquet of Neapolitau yiolets
AS she passed the little girl on the cor
ner. Miss Morris womanly eye took il a
pair OF large. eager. black eyes. q quantity
of straight, black hair hanging Wildly Over
the childs shoulders. a radei, tatel ed
pink calico frock. loosely drapfng a thin
frame full of nervous activity and enc gy.
vivid personality, an acute intelligence
tropical temperament made themselves
seen and felt in exactly one second: the
first. unhampered by custom or cJnsen-
tions; the second. temporarily obscured
by ignorance: the third, giving warmth
and color to all that the child said and did
she looks interesting" thought Miss
Morris. who had taught hundreds OF little
girls. and loved her work. kleS children
Of all sorts. could distinguish the original
from the common-p place. and had ge-
MUS for loving and teaching.
VIII you have a lowerg" said Nj s
Morris. whose hands were full Of -Four
oclockz.
NO" said the child. stepping backward
and launching I'd the sleeve OF her low
necked frock
Why? Don't you like aowers?" asked
Miss Morris.
No: hate en-" said the child. curuy.
Hate flowers Why, my dear child. wha.
can make you hate nowers2"
Them grows at Lickskiilet. Hate Lick
skillet" responded the child. 'She used to
make me weed 'em in the hot sun I'll my
back most broke
Who is 'she?' " asked Miss Morris.
That's her. now" explained the child
as harsh shouts arose from the house te-
hind them; most peculiar shout 1t seem
ed 10 Miss Morris.
What is she saying" she enquirei
Calling me-" replied the child. cooking
as cross and Disguised as she felt
Calling your" commented Miss Nor
ris. why, IT sounds like rhyme" she
thoughtl Isn't she singing?'
No. That's my name"
Your Eame?"
Yes. When she gets mad. she bellers
II all out to spite me. She knows I hate
II. Tor its all her foolery. She give it
w AhNs sdlu Tic Cullu. Enpn L WAS
baby. and couldn't kick and scratch like
do now"
Kick and scratch! My dear, You
shouldn't do that" remarked Miss Morris
"Pshur! I've got to-"
again Miss Morris heard the remarkable,
refrain. chant, poem, song. or whatever
it might be. from within.
What is your name, child?' she
couldn't help asking.
Loula Josefne, Rhody Katharine, Ben
famine. Frankline, Palestine Gunter.'' re-
Piled the child. with a little pause after
each name; then she gave kind of snort
She says she found it all out by herself
and i wish she had give II to herself. and
let me be. She says Palestine is a
French name. Ny paws name is Gunter''
said the child, and her face changed so
wonderfully when she spoke of her father
that Miss Morris was more interested than
ever.
But what do they call you." she asked.
suppressing a smile
Benjamine-Benjy. said the victim.
sulkiiy. But I've named myself Mirabella,
Don't you think that's a mighty prettv
name? l like it-powerful When l looks
at myself in the looking glass | always
says: Hello, Mirabella, you amt BENNY
now the wildcats gone. Now well have
nice time fur awhile. and / dress up in
my coral necklace paw give me, and her
best dress, and enjoy myself Shed kill |
me IL she found out, Don't you 60 tell |
her? You won't. will yer? You amt a |
sneak. is you? ] hate a sneak"
No, never promised Miss Morris.
Say! don't you never get hot, and red. !
and dirty" asked Benny.
Sometimes. I'm hot now" said Miss |
Morris.
''Yuu look like Ave dollars worth OF ice |
tickets, you do. And clean, Mussyi Where |
do you get time and where do you get the |
money to use up all that I've and soft
soap on your skin? 1t looks mighty soft |
and white, though. I'm goin' to scrub |
Mirabella up some time. Potash is 10 cents |
a cake here in the city. We've come here |
from Lickskillet. Lickskillet's no great |
great shakes. but you do own yourself |
there. Here you can't dc a thing. not !
even climb lamppost. They say it's arin |
the law. And I'm agin the law every time |
You mustn't say that" said Miss Nor |
ris. THE law just means that | must do |
what's right and not trouble you. and YOU
must do what's right and not trouble me.
and all these people couldn't live together |
unless, 1t was maintained
That's So" agreed Benny. with sud |
den flash of intelligence. And / won't |
throw no more dead cats and tin cans at |
the perlice. | promise you. l cross my |
heart, and when i say I'll do something / |
does 1t, or busts somethin'. every time"
That's right; keep your word. Do you
20 to school," said Miss Morris with an |
engaging smile.
mo. Larsl doesn't want no edgerca-
ton, Edgercatlcn's all right for the poor