The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1918-12-27

your concerns. l hearo it ALL said
the quite innocent Chef.
"And Mr.. Vickers says: $50 the child
hasn't anything Of her own, Joe?'"
Chef went on. "And your uncle says;
Not a dollar, 'cept what / might sell
that furniture for And he hasn't
sold 1t yet, I know. He just can't
make up his mind to sell them things
that was your mothers. Car'lyn May"
added the boy, with a deeper insight
into Mr.. Stages character than one
might have given him credit Tor pos
sessing.
But Carolyn May had hearc some
news that made her suddenly quiet
and she was glad a customer came into
store just then to draw Chef Corn
ley'S attention.
The child had never thought before
about how. the good things of life came
to her-her food, clothes and lodging.
But now Chef Gormley's chattering
had given her a new view Of the facts
Of the case. There had been no money
left to spend for her needs. Uncle
Joe was just keeping her out of
charity!
"And Prince, too" thought the little
girl, with a lump in her throat. "He
hasn't got any more home than a rab-
bit! And Uncle Joe don't really like
dogs-not ever now.
"Oh, dear mel" pursued Carolyn
May. "It's awful hard to be an or
phan. But to be a poor orphan-just
a charity one-is a whole lot worse. l
guess. I wonder If / ought to stay
with Uncle Joe and Aunty Rose and
make them SO much troubleT
The thought bit deep into the little
girls very im~pressionable mind. She
wished to be alone and to think over
this really tragic thing that faced
her-the ugly fact that she was a
charity child"
Sand you're a charity dog, Prince
Cameron" she said aloud, looking
down at the mongrel who walked Sc
dately beside her along the country
road.
The little girl had loitered along the
road until 1t was now dinner time.
Indeed, Aunty Rose would have had
the meal oil the table twenty minutes
earlier. Mr.. Stagg had evidently re
NAMED at The Corners to sell the COW
and eat dinner too-thus killing two
birds with one stone"
\. And here Carolyn May and Prince
were at MI. Parlow's carpenter shop,
just as the old man was taking Off his
| apron preparatory to going In to his
dinner. When Miss Amanda was away
nursing, the carpenter ate at q neigh
boris table.
Now Miss Amanda appeared on the
| side porch.
where are you going. little girl7"
she asked, smiling.
"Home to Aunty Rose,' said Carolyn
May bravely. "But I guess I'm late
for dinner"
Don't you want to come In and eat
with us, Carolyn May? Your own din.
ner will be cold"
ooh, may II" cried the little girl.
| Somehow she did not feel that CHE
could face Uncle Joe just now with
this new thought that Chef Gormley's
words had put into her heart. Then
she hesitated, with her hand on the
gate latch.
"Will there be some scraps for
PrinceT she asked. cor bones?"
II believe / can find something for
Prince" Miss Amanda replied. II owe
him more than one good dinner, I
guess. for killing that snake. Come In
and we will see."
Carolyn May thought that Miss
Amanda, In her house dress and rufled
apron, with sleeves turned back above
her dimpled, brown elbows, was pref
tier than ever. Her cheerful observa-
tons quite enIlvened Carolyn May
again.
II think you are lovely. Miss Aman-
da," she said as she helped wipe the
dishes after the carpenter had gone
back to the shop. II shall always love
you. I guess that anybody who ever
did love you would keep right on doing
so till they diedl They just couldn't
help i'll"
"IndeedT" said the woman, laughing.
"And how about you, Chicken Littlel
Aren't you universally beloved tooT"
"Oh, I don't expect SO, Miss Aman-
d." said the child. II wish I was"
"Why aren't your"
Ill Well, / guess It's Just be-
cause I'm not" Carolyn May said des.
perately. "YOu see, after all, Miss
Amanda, I'm only q charity child"
"Oh, my child" exclaimed Miss
Amanda. "Who told you that?"
IL just heard about It," confessed
the little visitor.
"Not from Aunty Rose KennedyY'
"Oh, no, ma'am."
"Did that Did your uncle tell you
such a thingT"
"Oh, no! He's just as good as hs
can be. But of curse he doesn't like
children. You know he doesn't. And