Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-10

boots, frying-pan, coffee pot and his pipe all of
which he wisely bestowed in places too high for 1e
Prairies reach
The energetic youngster entering fully into the spirit
of shifting things about trotted quickly to inviting
little cupboard, and laying hold of opened can of
condensed milk rolled two precious eggs, worth
quarter apiece right where they fell upon the floor
after which she inverted the milk with equal adroi
and completed rich, custard at her feet in
the briefest time imaginable. Big Dan looked down
from his high position a STOOL
ooh, pshawp said he.
Miss Devoe, with the dripping still clasped by
the lid in of her tenacious little hands, promptly
made the amende feminine She fastened to the stool
wherein the man standing and threw her arms,
can and all, about his leges
"Baby-do-yove-Uncle Dan," she assured him
fondy.
"Yes-we1, reckon a little 1ovin' is a dangerous
thing, said Dam He descended to the floor took the
from his tiny guest threw it into the fire. and for
the first time observed the cheerful blazing of his
bootjack
With one wild dive he snatched it FORTH then ener-
getcally kicked it. still blazing, the room and
Tipping it bodily into basin of water, succeeded in
preserving its charred remains In the meantime little
Prairie eager to initiate his example and to be OF as
sstance doing her utmost to kick the broken eggs
and the viscid milk toward the same supply of water,
but with only partial success. Unfortunately the egg
stuff slippery.
Dan turned about in time to see two tiny feet fling
treacherously and upward and the baby sit down
upon the custard with emphatic directness He stood
perfectly still and gazed at her helplessy. He said
nothing since nothing adequate arose to his mind.
Little Prairie remained but moment in the cream
and golden setting then aborously extrcaed her gar
and her plump little person from the mess which
she turned about to view.
aby-nade-hoor-all-nfe -and-clean," she inn
parted cheerfully. Then coming forward both sticky
hands held before her, with fingers extended till they
resembled two small fishes in distress, she added
Uncle Dan-tate-it-off."
Waltz said the miner. "Wait till kin wet good
big ragl
He wet three empty -four sacks, enticed the baby
to the steps outside the door, fetched out the bag
tanning her extra clothing, locked his cabin for better
security against her further adventures and abored
earnestly for long hour before he could make the
child even partially presentabe
He was rolling up the discarded dress in a tight,
hard wad and Prairie was making futile attempts to
escape his vigilance and explore the world outside his
cabin when Billy Partridge toilng up the trail,
half-opened newspaper clutched in his fist.
Big Dan had never been more honestly glad to be-
hold friend in all his life Little Prairie equally
enthusiastic Partridge her adopted Uncle Billy.
He promptly took her his knee and she promptly
announced that she loved him. and proceeded empty
his pockets Dan concealed the wad Of little clothing
and in glowing optimism related the facts concerning
little Prairie's temporary sojourn in his cabin.
"Tl have her all to myself-exceptn' for you, Billy "
he said ecsaticaly. "Im goin to let you stay with
me and share Miss Devoe regular. Fact is, Billy I've
got to go and see friend for half hour right away.
| guess I'll leave you and Miss Devoe here together
while I'm gone"
"But I wanted to read this here paper" objected
Billy IT only just got it in the mail. Haven't had
for a month
That's all right, just set here and read it. you and
Miss Devoe said Dan, whose anxiety to hasten off to
his belated appointment with Miss Betsey Dodd at