The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-04
for the firesitle Chair,
KITTY,s WAGER.

X s e. +
It's against my principles" said Parker
Pelham, buttoning his pockets, and inclining
his chair at an angle of forty-fve degrees
against the piazza railing. Taxes, taxes
nothing but taxes Government must sup
pose a man is made of m lney and then,
right on top OF that, every woman of your
acquaintance expects you to pay funds into
her private war-treasury. It's all nonsense
and T. for one, won't be victimized Besides,
I don't consider it fair for us men to be bled
at every pore, while the women keep their
own purses intact. If you female kind are so
vitality interested in the hospitals, and all that
sort of thing, why don't you lend helping
hand yourself? ?'
Vs. Mr.. Pelham screwed up his lips, tapped his
fingers on the railing, and nodded his head, as
one who would say, +" l rather guess you'll
find that argument unanswerable-n Kitty
Brace. standing among the roses that shut
out the j une sunshine, turned round so sud
denly. that the tinted petals showered softly
down around her like a pink snowstorm.-
Parker instinctively moved his chair back, as
he caught the dangerous sparkle of her hazel
eyes, and saw the crimson pennon Of defiance
huttering across her cheek.
"Please to explain yourself Mr.. Pelham,' -
said Kitty. clasping a-spray of roses very
tightly in her two little hands, lest they
should descend wrathfully on Parker's ears,
in spite of her determination to be very
proper and dignifed. s"sHaye we not
spent time and money both in this cause p
Have we not denied ourselves every unneees-
sary luxury? Nay, haze we not even parted
with our jewels and ztrinlzets. to send aid to
those who suffer in our countIy's behalf ?"
That's all very fine,'' said Parker, turn
ing up his1nosei in lofty disregard of feminine
logic. Smooth sailing, smooth sailing !
You may talk as much as you like, Miss
4 Kitty, but you'll never persuade me you're il
earnest until see you make some sacrifice
worth boasting Off
" I don't want to boast,'' said Kitty, indg
nantly; but oh if Iwere only.a man-if
could only earn money !''
YOU'D do unheard-of things, I've nj
doubt said Mr.. Pelham, sarcastically. Blu
you can earn money if you choose to try.''
s5" !" How, pray ?'' M ~ aias q
"Well, for instance, those eerimson-sprinklec
strawberry beds on the side -hill-a man woul,
turn 'em into money quick enough, aoonaa'
: don't choose to take the trouble-h's easier t
!. beg !''
d "Yes,'' said Kitty, taking no notice of tn
covert sneer, but nobody wants strawberrie
here-there is no market for thcm."
"Tbere is in the city. 1 suppose. All, ye
G that's right, Miss Kitty-curl your lips an
d toss your head Come uow--here's an e1
: : emplifcation of my assertion, that you shrin
). from the slightest effort in this cause. Yo
le expect US to do everything, while you al
{. willing to do nothing Now, Pm not afra
g e to wager fifty dollars you wouldn't sell fl,
~ dollars worth of Strawberries to keep yo
in soldier heroes from want !'
81 Kitty was silent moment-then she DIRE
tn out her little morocco pocket-book with SC
emn emphasis.
"Pll call witnesses, sir, and the wager shs
be registered"
os o, Parker Pelham eyed the little beauty as
e, e, he scarcely understood her.
We '.Mind, you are to sell them yourself, NJ
,er Kitty! no maneuvreing."
oyy "Set your heart at rest, Mr.. Pelham
fer the conditions of your bargain shall be COZ
piled WITH - 80 sK
"But, Miss Kitty-have you reflected
- Such very unladylike thing -''11
"I see nothing unladylike in erdeavor
to serve my. country's defenders" said Kit
quietly a lanioent smile sparkling in her e.
as sheneted Parker's perturbed brow. " Fl
dollars-it is very neat little sum. a
now must go to see about some baskets
my berries-there's no time to be lost!''
sfss Fifty dollars !'' feebly muttered Mr..
nse ere ham, as the light dress futtered down
Garden walk. What confounded foo
ms was why couldn't have said 1fve instead
med med But OF course I'm perfectly safe-she'll n
one er do such thing--never!' s
Strawberries who'll buy my straw
! ]. ries Pr
Mrs, ,Leclere was reading in her cool, q
~ parlors as the silvery voice echoed thro
= the street, Instinctively she rose and pus
ms, aside the curtains. IS
"A slender figure in brown calico dress,
face shaded by blue-ribooned Shaker
net. was leaning over the area railings
- which she dexterously balanced baskt
ripe Strawberries, glowing scarlet thre
sE. their covering Of fresh vine-leaves.