The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-06-21
THE EIGHTH
Girl
She Made an interesting Ad-
dition to the Other Seven.
BY BELLE MANDATES.

When John Walker was left wild.
over, although he was in the prime Of
manhood, with a comfortable income
and good habits, 1t, was universally
predicted that he would never win a
second wife.
For what manner of woman-that Is.
of the type fastldious John Walker
would fancy--could contemplate the
prospect Of stepmothering seven
daughters ranging In age from pert
thirteen to precocious four2
If the children had been boys John
Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable. for a squad Of boys
can be turned afield, 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 wldowhood he began 10
yearn for a 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
a 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 10 be quite practical little house
keeper. but John Walker knew that a
wise feminine hand and heart We're es-
sentlal to the guidance of his active,
romplng. 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 reseryedly and
with general air of careful considera-
ton and weighing in the balance"
His intentions were regarded as I'M
mlstakable when he invited her, with
her mother, to visit his home and drink
tea one afternoon. The children on this
fateful day had never been 50 noisy or
unattracuve. Even Madge was bois-
ferrous and untidy.
John Walker did not know that 1t
was malice aforetbought on the part
of his offspring, Madge was preco-
cious and acute cared. She had heard
It said that John Walker would marry
Just MS 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 a
natural enemy.
SO she instigated aud 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 dock white ROBBED and
sweet voiced, awaiting with uplifted
mouths his good night caress, and he
could not bring himself 70 mar their
slumbers by SO much as word.
IF she only could have seen them as
they are now!" he thought, with re
gretfuI 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 'Papaw
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, Totr' 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. Il am Tots kindergarten
teacher"
"Are your" he asked interestedly. Il
didn't know that Tot attended kin
dergarten."
Didn't your she asked anxiously
"Madge brought her to school yester-
day and entered her as pupil. ! sup
posed 1t was your wish"
"Of course 1t is he replied prompt
ly, "only l hadn't thought of it before.
| am glad Madge is so wise"
'Tve learned lots, papa. I'm going
to prick you card" assured Tot.
'.Thank you, darling. Where is your
school. Miss
"worden." she said, supplying the
name. 'sThe school is on the corner of
Wood and Third streets, three blocks
below. Are you fond of children, Mr..
Walker?" she asked. looking up at the
princess enthroned on his shoulder.
Naturally" he said. with whim-
steal smile.
She flushed and laughed little.
"Come and visit our school some
time. then"
Il will walk there with you now"
he responded promptly, setting Tot
down on the sidewalk.
The child instantly appropriated a
hand Of each guardian and skipped
along between them.
"Who takes her 10 and from schoolw