The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-10
A WALK
WITHJOYCE
BY DoRoTHY RRATHwAITE



pher, and she is also my niece, which
advantages are surely calculated to
content any reasonable soul She Is
extremely pretty, and at times ex-
tremely wicked, a combination which
l understand is not uncommon in this
pretty world. She has vide insinuat-
ing brown eyes, an expressiyely
retrousse little nose, and mouth
but, la lal her mouth is capable Of
expressing so many emotions that II
beggars my modest powers Of de-
scription. Her little brown bead
is arranged with six little cork.
screw curls, tied at one side Con state
occasions) with bow Of blue ribbon,
giving her a fascinating appearance.
Joyce loves most people, and every.
body loves her, which is an entirely
agfseable arrangement; but also her
affections are comparative imagine
her heart to contain well-regulated
thermometer, beginning at 80 and go
ing up to 150, or thereabouts. Against
150 are written Mummie and Daddie,
Jimmie, an ancient but enterprising
donkey who takes her for drives, and
last, but perhaps in largest letters,
Grannie, for grannie Is as devoted as
all grannies should be, and adores
without spelling her Joyce has a be-
lief unfailing in her grannie-no one
is SO wise, no one so kind, no one so
worthy of universal respect; and he
who dares to say word against her,
or forgets to give her her due, must
reckon with Joyce, formidable ad-
versary indeed. / fondly believe that
! occupy a place somewhere near, but
mere aunt has no right to compete
with grannies. Occasionally am
privileged to take Joyce for walk.
Joyce" / suggested one morning,
shall we take the air in the park"
do you think you could take care
Of me?" inquired Joyce, doubtfully.
THAT is not the question:" ] ex-
planned; "can you take care Of me?
Joyce faced the responsibility
bravely. "Tn try" she answered; so
We went upstairs to get ready. She
was dressed in her best coat, but
when it came to her Sunday hat, Of a
noppy description. she rejected it
firmly. Nurse" she said, quietly but
positively, Il will not wear that hat,
1t doesn't suit me; so nurse, who Sc
cretly agreed, submissiyely sought out
another
Joyce" / said, sternly, little girls
must obey their elders"
Should theyf' she said; and then
inspiredly: Why don't you do what
grannie tells you. then2"
4 am not a little girl" ! explained
hastily.
Aren't you?" said Joyce, with some
sarcasm / was glad that the obvious
retort had escaped her, but she made
up for It. You're very young. you
know" she afirmsd. Il heard my
grannie tell mummie that 1t was the
only excuse for you"
hastily changed the subject "Ars
you ready?" / asked.
Joyce leapt from her seat, banging
her nose against the table. Accidents
viii happen" she quoted. philosophic
ally, az she vigorously rubbed IT,
We sailed forth hand in hand, walk
ing at a good rate.
Good morning, mister" remarked
Joyce suddenly, apparently 10 no one
IN particular
Whom we're you addressing?" ! In
1uired.
She indicated a beery-eyed crossing
sweeper. "A friend o mine" she eK
planned. Joyce's friends are, indeed
many and various
As we walked along, my obseryani
niece directed my attention to many
objects Of interest that would have
otherwise escaped my notice. 'Looh
AZ that shOckin little boy runnin
away from his nurse. What do you
think will happen to him?" inquired
Joyce. delightedly.
Something awful. | thought.
"A policeman, suggested Joyce
with bated breath; but just then the
runaway's iniquitous career was cut
short by a curbstone. and he fell head
long upon the pavement
Joyce's eyes filled with tears. Hes
hurt hisself," she cried; and disre
garding nurses command never "a
leave 60 my hand, she ran to comfort
him. She pulled him up and tried tS
quiet his sobs. Would YOU Ike this?'
she asked. and held up a small blach
doll. The little boy grabbed 1t un
gract0usly and, ceasing TO howl, sought
refuge in his nurses arms. Joyce re
Joined me. Pore little feller," sht
said and then. with a burst Of indig
nation: He might have said THANK
you, though.
quite agreed.
But boys hasn't much manners
nowadays" she explained, and again
! quite agreed
Joyce now became engaged upon &
task TO which believe we all were
slaves In our namely, that Of
taking each pavingstone at a stride
sometimes short. sometimes long. Il
made osr progress a trifie uncertain
We did reach the mark however and