Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-12-30

How the name had come to her Tommy
could never explain. Not that she ever at
tempted explanation. The thing was done,
and il wasn't OF much moment. AT least
lot when there were so many other mat
.ers crying for attention.
To wit-that eternal q~uestion-how to
make twenty Shi!l!nss q week keep you
md dress you. This problem entertained
and exhausted Tommy in turns. Each
Saturday the riddle seemed about to be
solved, while each Monday morning saw
he answer more remote h ever.
Her hair was golden. Her eyes were
clear, wide and cornfiower-blue. Her little
nose was straitish. That is to say, 1t was
not really a ~"turn-up" but rather an
agreeable compromise. Her mouth wasn't
pad at all, without being a Cupid's bow,
Or anything wonderful and poetic OF that
description. Her teeth were small and
white.
Her face was round and her figure was
'ound. Tommy was jolly looking and
pleasant looking, and it did ones heart a
power of good to see her upon a fine morn
!ng-on some summer Sunday when the
eternal question wasn't quite so much In
evidence.
Then-and, mind you. 1 am not the only
one who noticed ~Tommy-she would weara
sort of pink silky dress. made with a
round bodice to suit her general ~roundnesS.
The bodice had a clear neck, and the skirt
was long and sweepy. The sleeves ended
off with the q%ueerest little bag arrange
ments, falling over her wrists, and were
bound With lace to match the neck. She
had patent leather shoes, and black stock
lngs, and a wonderful white petticoat, and
a marvellous great big hat, trimmed with
tremendous ostrich feathers, and soft
misty chiffon! She carried a pink ~parasol.
And Tommy's hair on these mornings
was a symphony In yellow. AS she trotted
along, under the bright sun, one might
we'll feel puzzled TO now whether the
glory came from the heavens, or from
Tommy. OI whether, like a s~Inaiier sun,
Tommy absorbed and reflected the rays of
the other luminary.
How much Observation-Disclosures
cause-Im-not-hungry" did all his repre-
sent? / cannot tell you, for Tommy never
owned up. 1t pleased her TO look pretty;
and to be pleased is to be happy. To be
happy is the aim of true philosophy.
In her way, Tommy was a philosopher.
She didn't complain of many things which
would have nightly troubled you and me.
She planned out her weekly income fine
ly; and when, sometimes, the fineness be-
came a deficit. Tommy didn't despair, She
lust did without" until things riehtad
themselves.
So long as she paid her way and kept
her independence, the eternal question
never daunted her. One day IL would be
answered: and until then Tommy wrestled
with 1T carefully.
She was ~apne-except for the memory
of twenty years-and the nice management
each week of as many shillings. She lived
in Highbury, because 1t was convenient
and cheap. Her business was in the
jewelry line, In Charterhouse street. What
~ At E.Arr
stone building, herded with many other
more or less sufficient "Tommies, / never
discovered. Sorted diamonds, mayhap.
from the rue of stones?
1t rains sometimes in London, as most OF
us nave observed. IL it rains ever so little
Charterhouse street become keenly alive
TO the fact: and more than rises to the
occasion. But Tommy kept her temper al
/ ways, despite tSa sssa5 and the iostiing OF
| 7isagreeable umbrellas.
| Wet weather was peculiarly severe upon
| Tommy, for under 1t her glory departed
considerably. Her hair had q way. not
altogether uncommon even with the best
| hair. of going into wisps. and tails" and
] curlless ENDS" at the least suggestion of
dampness. And the tip of her dear little
nose would appear pink-as her Sunday
| dress.
''Wretched day, isn't it?" / remarked. on
meeting her on just such a morning. do
| you think We shall ever have any fine
| weather. again? 1t seems as if"
"Oh. 1t win be fine enough before
twelve" Tommy instantly broke in, paus-
ing for q moment at my side. ''YouIl see.
| Besides, it's not so bad when ones young.
| you know. is 1t? Now l do feel that it's
!, rather rough on that poor old woman at
the corner. She'll get her papers all
| spoiled and won't be able to either sell or
eeturn them"
III buy up her stock In trade--just to
| please YOU" i laughed. What a thought
ful little philosopher 1t is! What's the
| matter?"
II shall be late--that will be the matter"
returned Tommy. moving on. TITS nearly
| aine already. Good by
shall | see you tonight?"
.l>o-I shall &c too much OF a sight. I'm
dry weather bird-my feathers get
| iraggleI when Ii rains.''
have my umbrella-yours Is OF no use
| ,ga INST his ran. l can easily run through
| the wet.
sYou 60 anc spend a penny on the old