Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-06-24
THE EIGHTH
Girl
She Made an Interesting Ad-
dition to the Other Seven.
BY BELLE MANDATES.

over, although he was in the prime OF
manhood. with a comfortable income
and good habits, It was universally
predicted that he would never win q
second wife.
For what manner of woman--that is
of the type fastidlous John Walker
would fancy-could contemplate the
prospect of stepmothering seven
daughters ranging In age from pert
thirteen to precocious four?
If the children had been boys John
Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable, for q squad of boys
can be turned afleld, but seven girls to
hear and heed until they should come
to an age when they would with their
lords depart!
John Walker was domestic, and after
two years of widowhood he began to
yearn for goddess of his hearth and
home The affairs of his household
had not been administered SO badly
since his wife died. The cook was ca
pable and honest and had been reign
ing over the kitchen for eight years.
The seamstress who had always spent
month each spring and autumn
Sewing up for the young Walkers
continued her visits, with the added
responsibility of selecting and pur-
chasing material.
The eldest girl, Madge, was promis-
ing to be quite practical little house
keeper, but John Walker knew that
wise feminine hand and heart were es-
sential to the guidance of his active,
romping, unruly troop Of youngsters.
He began to call assiduously upon
Cecilia Rayne, young woman re-
nowned for her intellect, practically
and excellent judgment. She accepted
his attentions, though reservedly and
with general air Of careful considera-
ton and weighing In the balance"
His Intentions were regarded as I'M
mistakable when he invited her, with
her mother, to visit his home and drink
tea one afternoon. The children on this
Hateful day had never been so noisy or
unattracdve. Even Madge was bois-
ferrous and untidy.
John Walker did not know that 1t
was malice aforethought on the part
of his offspring. Madge was preco-
cious and acute cared. She had heard
it said that John Walker would marry
just as soon as he could find any one
to have him. She had sized up Miss
Rayne as a home ruler, and in the
mother of Miss Rayne she scented
natural enemy.
SO she instigated and encouraged re-
bellion In her many sisters, and their
department carried the day. John
Walker escorted his guests to their
home and returned with the firm in
tention Of administering unto his own
something stronger than rebuke.
He found his flock white robed and
sweet voiced, awaiting with uplifted
mouths his good night caress, and he
could not bring himself to mar their
slumbers by so much as a word
"If she only could have seen them as
they are nowI" he thought, with re-
gretful sigh.
Madge's busy little brain worked
overtime that night on the solution of
the stepmother problem. A day or
two after the eventful visit of Miss
Cecilia Rayne, as John Walker was
passing little park he met two or
three kindergarten teachers walking
with their young charges. He gave
them but casual glance, when his
attention was attracted by a delighted
cry of "Papap
The littlest and last child In the pro-
cession let go of the hand of the young
girl with whom she was walking and
rushed up to him.
why, Tot" he said, taking her up
In his arms.
Then he looked hesitatingly at the |
young teacher, who was walking on |
slowly.
you must be Mr.. Walker" she said |
naively. IT am Tots kindergarten |
teacher"
"Are your he asked interestedly. II |
didn't know that Tot attended a kim
dergarten."
Didn't your" she asked anxiously
'Madge brought her to school yester-
day and entered her as a pupil. / sup
posed 1t was your wish"
"Of course 1t is" he replied prompt
y, "only hadn't thought OF 1t before.
am glad Madge is so WISE"
1--WE learned lots, papa. I'm going
10 prick you card" assured Tot.
THANK you, darling. Where Is your
choel, Miss
"Worden," she said, supplying the
lame. "The school is on the corner of
Wood and Third streets, three blocks
below. Are you fond Of children, Mr..
ValkerT she asked, looking up at the
Princess enthroned on his shoulder.
Naturally" he said, with whim-
ical smile.
She flushed and laughed a little.
"Come and visit our school some
lime, then"
II will walk there with you now"
e responded promptly, setting Tot
own on the sidewalk.
The child instantly appropriated
and of each guardian and skipped
long between them.
"who takes her to and from SCHOOL,"
o asked. remembering the automo-
lies and trolley cars.
"Madge has so far"
''Madge said you could stop for me
The Bennington school board
tied recently to close the kinder