The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-08-15
A DETERMINED LITTLE GIRL

Kathleen Donahue was twelve
years old. Judging by her height
YOU would have thought her to be not
more than ten. bat after glimpse
of her face, with it's look of care and
anxiety, you would have said that she
was already a woman; for even
little girl becomes a woman Wnen
she Is set to solving a hard nfe-
problem.
Kathleen's brother James was her
problem. She had been his house
keeper for the past year, ever since
their mother died. The neighbors
said that James ought to put the lit
tie girl in some home where sne
could be properly cared for. she
ought not to work SO hard, and that
James was too fond of liquor. some
times coming home in dreadful
condition. Kathleen told her broth
er the neighbors' talk.
"shall you do it. Jimmie?" she
asked. catching hold of his arm in ner
anxiety. For answer he took her on
It's knee.
"You do work toe hard, Kathleen"
he said tenderly.
"No. don't Jimmie, l love to
work. All the forenoon I'm thinking
how nice It'll be when you come home
to dinner, and in the afternoon
have lots of time to rest. The even
tags are the hardest. brother" she
.half-sobbed, as she timidly patted his
cheek.
eyes. you're too much alone. Kath-
zaeen. but you know evening is the
oniy time I have to get bit OF en-
joyment with my friends"
s.I know. Jimmie. but 1t isn't being
eione. it's the-the fear-
"The fear that I'll come home
drunk. I know. Kathleen. The
neighbors are right. I'm brute and
not at to take care of you. You
must grow up a good girl. for moth
er's sake"
Tears filled her eyes.
"Fm trying. Jimmie. but don't you
think you ought to be a good man
for mothers sake? You are good.
Jimmie-all but the drink" she add
ed. nesting against him. "and
don't want to leave you. You won't
bind me out. will you. dear Jim
inlet" she piteously begged.
"No." he answered. strong with
new resolve. Kathleen. I'm going
10 try to be o good brother to you
and let rum alone. It'll be tough
aght. but you must help me. little
sister,"
SCI will! / will" she promised Gag
erly: land I'll ask God to help you,
too. Jimmie"
She fuldlled her promise. For two
or three days James remained con-
tentedly at home in the evening and
seemed to enjoy himself with reading
and games. then he became restless
aad Kathleen tried in every way to
interest him and keep him from the
saloon. She invited young people to
play games, and she gave them lem
onade or some other refreshment.
Occasionally she went with him to a
netghbor's to spend the evening, still
he grew more and more gloomy. and
finally he took to walking nervously
about the room after supper. Poor
Kathleen! How she prayed. talking
to God as she would talk to her moth
er, and begging Him to tell her how
she could save her brother.
Two weeks went by and the time
came when the drink craze was at
Its maddening height. James had
eaten no supper. His eyes were gilt
tering and his hands shook from the
strain Of the battle. He snatched W
his hat.
'sI'm going out for a minute" he
said hoarsely, moving toward the
door.
Kathleen hurriedly brought him q
cup of strong coffee from the table
Drink this first, Jimmie, dear,
she pleaded.
With a shamed face he gulped il
down and sank into chair, where h
sat for some minutes with his fact
in his hands. Kathleen crept up t.
him and putting an arm around hi
neck began to stroke his hair. Fol
a half hour he was quiet, then b.
suddenly jumped to his feet ant
without waiting for his hat dartet
out of the door.
With low cry Kathleen ran aftel
him. She must save him! She must
The good God would let her saw
him somehow. James was runnin,
straight for the one saloon which tn,
place held. Could she catch kim