The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-03-04

Her Buslneasilke Proposition %
Her Father,

Little slx.year-old Elsie had been a
problem TO her parents during the en-
tire six years Of her life. When a
little baby she had periodical spells
Of crying which seemed to occur about
the same time daily and nightly, too
She would hold her breath for so
long time that her mother and ia
ther would become greatly frightened,
and then she would show such unusai
temper. She was only three years old
when it was quite evident that she
was developing serious and undesir-
able traits Of character. Her father,
Mr. Clinton, was the son of promi-
nent minister, and her mother the
daughter and granddaughter Of
clergyman. Both we're deeply relig-
ious, and the thought Of having child
who would, when she reached woman
hood, prove wild and ulgoyernabie
caused them much distress and anx-
iety and many hours we're spent dis
cussing Elsie's future and the wisest
and best method Of guiding her youth
full footsteps
They believed thoroughly in Chris
tian training, and decided to lead her
young mind in that direction as far as
possible-by placing her in a Sunday
school close by their home. But Elsie
was restless, and her mother and ia
ther soon learned that the teacher
| had difficulty in interesting her, and
Elsie would plead to be allowed to re
main at home. If the day proved
stormy, and she was permitted to dc
so, she would romp from room tC
room in a wild, ungovernable sort o.
way, never quiet for a moment, anC
ct the close of the day she would b'
the subject of earnest and anxioui
conversation far into the night. Sh'
certainly showed every evidence o
developing into a very unruly child.
On the day Elsie was placed Il
Sunday school her mother started +
teach her little prayer but Elsie rt
belled, and simply would not b
coaxed into learning it. Finally Mrs
Clinton was compelled to deny Elsi
little pleasures during the day tim
until she would promise to repeat th
prayer at night, but when night cam
she would say, Elsie is too tired
say her prayer; you say it for m'
mamma"
Mrs. Clinton promised Elsie II sh
would be a good girl and say her Il
tie prayer every night she would giN
her ten cents each week. which 81
might spend with her little playmate
Elsie was trying very hard to =
good" but one week Mrs Clinton di
covered that Elsie was saving h
money, and no amount Of question:
could get her to tell for what purpos
/ For weeks Elsie saved every penn
and neither Mr.. nor Mrs. Clinton cou
conceive what she was saving Il
money for In reply to any inqui
I from her mother Elsie would on
say: Il heard you and papa talkil
about something, and want it" a.
this strange behavior on the part of
young a child renewed and increas
the anxiety Of her parents as to h
future.
4 One night Mr., Clinton return
home quite late from business and
marked to Mrs. Clinton that he W
detained on account Of the pub
stenographer in his building, who h
some Of his work to do and some
his bills to make out, as she "
planning to be married very soon a
Intended to close up the office.
~ Little Elsie ran to him and with
~ frightened look said. "Wil she ne1
come back, papa?a mo, my lit
girl, she will leave on Saturday, a
I will not return" Elsie looked VI
z thoughtful for moment or two. Il
? she said: Papa, what is that J
told mamma your 'snografer' did wi
= she turned the wheel and made
y letters come out so fast?" MIN
graphed them" Then Mr.. Gin
smiled and said: Il said, grind
500 letters at a time. Papa, die
you tell mamma she did it for
dollars?" Yes, little girl" and
Clinton looked surprised.
Little Elsie slipped away and
few moments returned with her
ings, one dollar in all. and S;
Papa. dear, before your 'snogra
goes away, won't you give her I
and ask her to 'min-gras' my pray
I'm so tired saying it. Tell her to