The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-13
HIS NEIGHBOURS CHILD.
I'D hean ut Warford

three days.
Previous to his coming he had been
travelling through the southern states,
but as warm weather advanced he
found himself thinking longingly of
his pretty villa among the elms,
where he could find both rest and sol-
itude.
Having written to his old house,
keeper, Mrs. Martin, to open the house
and have everything in readiness. he
had gone thitler expectant of two or
three months supreme enjoyment.
To his dismay he found that the adj
jacent villa, previously occupied by an
| old French couple, had been relet.
He knew lot how many comprised
the family, but there was a child-an
awful boy-who never permitted his
presence to be forgotten.
A dozen times a day Bertram poured
disturbing power.
He had even demonstrated with him
from the open window, but the boy,
With a timid look that belied hisdispo-
sition, had faded from view, only to
reappear a moment later with some
new device for his neighbor's torment.
"Mrs. Martin, who are those people
next doorp" he asked, the third day
after his arrival. "a nice party they
must be to. allow a young child to
run wild in that fashion. / cannot
stand it."
"Oh, sir, I think there's only his
mother-a widow. SIR said Mrs. Mar
tin. .'Leastwise, that's all I've seen
q tall slim person, who wears a black
veil. It's hard for a woman to govern
u boy like that, sir.n
'Humph!" said Lowell, expressively,
us he returned to his library.
His books had engrossed his atten-
ton. when suddenly there sounded q
series Of war-whoops from the nexJ
yard, a scurrying of feet, a fusilade of
stones upon the side of his house, and
then, through his open window bounded
a huge gray cat, followed by a large
sized pebble that struck against a
choice pa~per-weight and demolished it
completely.
In the meantime, the feline, bound
ing about in fright, was making sad
havoc with whatever came in her way.
At last she leaped out into the gar
den.
Bertram arose in wrath-this was
quite too much! With a last look at
his upset library, he stalked out into
the hall, caught up his hat, and q mo-
ment later stood at his neighbours door.
The servant ushered him into n shad-
ed parlor and Withdrew; a moment lat
er his neighbor appeared.
MADAM, / have called to make a
complaint against your boy,'' Bertram
began, the wrath that burned within
striking out in his tones. ..He has
made my life a burden since Icame to
occupy the next villa, and l think it is
time some one exerted control upon
him. You, as his mother, are the
person who should do this"
81 am sorry Perry has troubled you,''
said a sweet voice.
1t was SO very sweet, so gracious,
that Bertram looked at the speakers
face; he had scarcely observed her be.
fore.
The winsome expression. the tender
red lips, the great, melting brown eyes,
scattered his wrath.
He glanced over the graceful figure
in its dress of mourning-the soft
white hands; the dropping heap, With
its wealth Of auburn hair-he looked
into the eyes again with something like
a smile. q
81 do not believe you know how an.
moving he is" he said.
"He is not a bad boy-only mis-.
chievous," answered the pretty wo.
man, with a d~eprecating gesture. ..Bu,
l will endeavor to make him mend
his ways and keep on the other side
of the house. We have no neighbol
there"
"Great heavens! She speaks as if ]
were the offender" thought Bcrtram.
"Thank you" he said, and then he
retreated, feeling quite uncomfortable
when he recalled that last reproachfu.
lock from his fair neighbor.
For day quiet reigned, then an
uproar under Bertram's window
brought that gentleman to the scene
Little Perry, with his head secured be,
tween the palings of the separating
fence, was bowling Justify.
What are you doing there?" asked
Bertram.
II was looking for my MARBLE
cried the child, ..and Pm caught
Oh-h!"
well. stop that racket and I'll hell
you. Iuao AAhu IVY ale you
anyway"
The instant he was released h,
started off, but Bertram detained him
"If | give you a handful of mar
bles, will you go and play quietlyP"h hi
asked.
Perry consented. While Bertran
was binding the bargain with tn,
gift, the young ladyin mourning cam,
out.
You see he is irrepressible," sh'
said, smiling. 81 bribed him will
jelly-cake and chocolates all day yes
terday. Ny stock was exhausted to
day"
"The boy is too much for you,n h
said. 'Hs needs a stronger hand t.