The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-07-22
5elelte0 Mlislellalp.
OUT IN THE RAIN.
BY GRACE GARDNER.


SpRINKLEi rain shower right down
on Millie Warmers tasteful little hat and
graceful shoulder, unprotected save by q
thin shawl, notwithstanding the beseecb-
ing glance of the prettiest pair OF hazel
eyes that ever looked up TO cloud in that
Way. The inexorable, stOny-hearted thing
Just poured out its deluging treasures
without minding them the least bit in the
world.
Now, Millie wasn't afraid of shower,
unless there was thunder and lightning /;
but she had quite regard for her pretty
hat, which was not two weeks old, and
did hate dreadfully to have it spoiled. Be-
sides, she knew-vain little gIrl-that it
was exceedingly becoming. Her glass
told her that and Squire Johns, the great
man of the town, had whispered To her
Just the same, looking at her very admir-
ingly all the while 1t was too, too bad.
And out came Miles handkerchief, which
she threw over the hat, just about half
covering it. She drew it of, the next mo-
ment, and laughed AS if such deluge
of handkerchief could do any good, she
said to herself: Z" How could she be so
sillys"
Millie, not so very wise yet, tried next
to run away from the shower; but, in her
haste, ran into several mud puddles, there
by muddying the pretty little feet In per-
fectly scientific manner.
She walked quite leisucely, after that,
Saying, phiOsophically
As my hat is spoiled already, there can
be no use in hurrying. lam neither sugar
nor salt"
Nevertheless, when MilIie came to a
large white farmhouse, she very gladly,
aud rather hastily-fOr just then there was
a heavy peal of fthunder--opened the gate
and went up the flower bCrdered path to
the house, and knocked for admittance.
Nobody answered, and IS another peal OF
thunder was heard, accompanied by a
vivid flash of lightning, Millie entered
without ceremony. She took in at glance
the contents of the first room she came to
"a large square room, plainly but neatly
furnished-the cane seated chairs, the
pretty chintZ covered lounge, book case
filled with books and sheet-music; the viO-
lin in its case in the corner, the vase OF
faded flowers, and the ornaments on the
mantel There was no one there, but she
heard childish voices in the room, and
again knocked. 4 dark-eyed girl of ten
or eleven years, opened the door.
Mile explained why she was there.
With the ease and good manners of one
much older, the child bade her welcome,
placed chair near the stove and took
Miles dripping hat and shawl
al was Just beginning to get dinner,
that was the reason | didn't hear you
knock II will be long time before the
shower is over, and you must stay with
Us to dinner. 1t will be ready BY the time
Ben comes but that will not be for about
n half or three quarters of an hour"
"Es, dinnie'll be weddy when Ben
tums," lisped and laughed little girl OF
three years
The elder child, whose name was Hetty,
resumed:
"I can't get a very good dinner, amt
quite old enough, but Ben says do nicely
He puts it on for me, and see to it. But
he does not allow me to take off kettles
for fear will burn or scald myself; but
think tam large enough to do that. l like
To have everything ready for him when
he comes n tired and hungry. l can,
make biscut-I wish i could, for Ben
likes them eye,r so much; but Martha
who comes in to Iaake Dread Tor us, says
she will teach me-"
"Where is your moth err" asked Millie
OF the little Eva, when Hetty was out oi
the room.
1--WE is got no mudder but Ben," the
little one lisped.
When Hetty came back, Minie said
"NOw | have got nicely warmed, and
my dress will dry just as well at work as
sitting still; so will help you get dinner
If you like, | will make sOme biscuit, and
we will have dinner ready in very shor
time"
Hetty was delighted. Ben would b'
glad. Might she look on and learn how
Millie was young, and frank, and gay
and she and the children soon became very
well acquainted over the biscuit. Sh'
said, presently, trying a potato with
fork:
"The potatoes are done. l will pou
the water off so, then put them on again
to dry. That will make them mealy. Ii
few moments we will peel them, ant
then dinner will De all ready except takinl
it up"
The dinner seemed very meagre to littl
Hetty as she ran over the items in he
mind-potatoes, peas, pork, biscuit, but
ter, cucumbers, milk, water. She ha,
wanted to make tea for her visitor, bu
she declined decidedly. The poor chill
said, spOlogetically:
When father and mother were aliv
we used to have good many things f.
dinner, and Martha, our hired girl, use
tn get them all, but when they died, an
Squire Johns said he bought a mortgaq
on our farm, and that we had got TO pa
every cent the day it was due or los
everything, we had to do without a DoO
many things, and are very poor now an
Ben is afraid we can't have enough To ma
il, and they all say we may look for m
mercy from Squire Johns, for he is a yer
hard man To the pOOt, and he has alway
wanted our farm, betsuso it joins some {