The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28
By David H. Walker

" IL years OF age Amy was as
stout fun-loving, warm hearted
and brave as any California girl
you would meet in days jour
ney in any direction. SO her father and
mother, being compelled to go from
their home for day and night, leav-
ing her with Nero. good watchdog, as
her guardian. and knowing that neigh
bors would be home before nightfalI,
were not very anxious when they
kissed her good-by and got into the
rowboat in which they were to travel
to the mainland from the island in the
Sacramento River that they called
their home.
IF you feel scared go to Mrs Har
ris'," called her mother from the boat.
"A-a-al-l right" she answered. max
ing trumpet of her hands. Il will"
Then the boat was too far for her
to be heard by her mother or for her
to hear the voices of her parents,
and all she could do was to wave her
handkerchief and watch until they
were on the river bank. Then she saw
them mounts horses that had been
brought for them and then they faded
from view after little Then the lit
tie maid of II went to her home.
1t cannot be said that she was not
lonely, nor that she did not feel un-
easy. But she had great faith in Nero
and she now made him her confdant.
Good boy. Nero" she said II will give
you some lunch. and then-why. then
you shall see Marion and see me dress
her in her travelling clothes. Won't
that be nicer?
Nero wagged his tail. but whether
because he had been promised some
thing to eat>or whether a dog really
cares for dolls clothes and what lit
tie girls do with dolls you must judge
for yourself.
out a small trunk and from it's depths
took out first a lot of small garments
and. then doll. Such fine one. too.
at is my last dollie., said Amy to
Nero. "You sec, ] am getting to be a
big girl and big girls do not play with
dolls any more. but, oh. dear, L think
it is just dreadful to grow up and not
care for dolls. | had whole family OF
dolls. but one was drowned and one
you killed. bad Nero. by biting it's
head off when you were a puppy: then
l gave two dolls to some poor chill
dren. There were Mary. and Elsie, and
Bobby and Kitty-all gone. But had
good times with them. anyway. All
that I have left now is Marion.
Il will never part with Marion-not
even when / am a grownup lady
will I, dearie? No. indeed. And you
will always love meas I love you. OF
course, you can't answer. but / can sec
that you look love. Now, / am going
to dress you for long journey. We
are not going away really. but it is
fine to travel. and / want you to have
a good time and SO we will play that
you are my sure enough child and
that am going to take you to Kala-
mazoo and Ishpeming and Oshkosh and
lot of places that must be nice
Places with such hard names to spell
are always niceA-dont you think so,
Nero?"
It was early spring. but the sun was
ilot lHc uds uclotc Tue rain ndu
fallen heavily and the Sacramento River
was high. Amy's father had looked at
the water a little anxiously that morn
ing before he went way. but he knew
that the levees about the island were
stout and he did not think there would
be more rain very soon.
The sunshine beat that day on great
yons and mountain slopes, which to the
eye would seem to be still locked in the
grasp of winter, continued to slip their
waters down into streams that were
but trickling brooks at first. but that
a little farther on, became creeks of
some size. and. when they ran into the
rivers that were fed by the mountains
were torrents.
The water from the melting snow
kept the river from failing very much
Early in the afternoon the skies were
overcast and rain began to fall. First
1t came gently, then in sheets. Amy
and Nero were driven indoors. There
a large fireplace was heaped with logs
When the air became chilly Amy
touched match and soon the rooms
were filled with the glow and warmth
and sweet smells OF the blazing logs.
1--WE are chums tonight, Nero. sure
enough said Amy. I'VE will keep in
the house and you shall sleep by my
bed. Now that 1t rains our neighbors
will not come over, think--but. let's
see"
Amy went to the door, partly opened
it, blew a horn several times and
listened. Toot. toot, t-o-o-t. sounded
the horn in the blur of rain. No one
answered.
yes" said Amy. feeling little un-
comfortable, but trying to be very
brave, I'VE shall be alone tonight. Well
have supper early and go to bed early,
and I think / will take Marion to bed
although she has her travelling dress
on. There is nobody to laugh at me to-
night If I love Marion all | want to.
You won't laugh, will you. Nero?"