Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-08-08
Miscellaneous Reading.
poLLy NARSroN'S STRUGGLE.
A story for GINS.

DAUGHTER: she had never Known the iuA
uries of life, as far as her own persona
cxperience went Two or three llilies Sne
had caught glimpse OF fashi0noplo ille
nm At the Great House on tue n'll, "heie
she west daily to carry the mix the IAN
ilyuse6. These glimps1s had Deeh enough
To inspirG her with longing LOT soul1'
rhinr a little better, a little hner, Id AeI
homespun life. Naturally she possessed
a banpv disposition, but when once Inc
tempter enters Eden, let him come IN
whatever guisc he will, then cOntentmcnt
flies it. Al first this desire for some
thing more only led to the adjoining OF
the little white cottage with lloWeTS ana
ferns, which really produced an artIsllc
effect, but which Mrs. Marston voted, IN
her short decisive way, AS 'Tuhblsh,
Mt a little knot of ribbon found itself
nestled in the brown curls, then a string
of fanciful beads lay first, INSIDE the
neck of her dress, but by degrees crept
out until il rested in all its glory against
che bue.C hecked gingham. All TINS
would have been well enough had there
not crept in at the same time those niue
heart-bGrnings and envyings which are
always sure to dampen the pleasure of
possession. Ii Polly had not seen the
wear and look at, her flowers and simple
knots would have been perfection in her
ewes, but after while she began to look
lpOn them with disgust, and wished she
had such dresses and hats, and boots as
Blanche Crayton, up at the Great House,
and tie girl friends who came to visit her,
wore Polly didn't like Blanche GRAFTON,
yh.o was a golden haired, rosy. checked,
bSle-eyed girl. She looked all gentleness
but was in reality as imperious and sci.
fish little beauty, as little beauties gen
orally know how to be. Her blue eyes
were soft as summer sky when she
willed, but let anything cross her way
and the blue eyes would ray out glance
as cold and hard as glittering steel.
Blanche was critical girl, too, always
looking one over with that air of infinite
superiority which Polly detested, at
makes you feel SO small, even if you know
you are Just as good. If | were to stare
back everybody would call me an i'm
Dudent hussy,' while no one would ever
dare say that of Blanche Crayton, be
cause she's the dau ghter of the rich man
on the hill. and am poor John Marston s
girl, down in the hollow. There's world
of difference between a hundred cents
and no cents said she to her only CONT
dant, little Jane Austin, who being sew
erai years Younger, didn't understand one
half of Polly's rawlings, although she &C
cepted them in good faith, because Polly
knew so much.
''But If you hain't got no money, Polly,
you're terrible site Smarter'n Blanche
Erayton, and think that's better'n mon
~" said little Jane, trying to play the
part of consider
"Pshaw! Jane, you don't know what
you are talking about; money is the only
thing of consequence in this world, an
swered she, absently pulling up some Of
her pretty violets, growing by the stone
door step. "Money will do anything,
she went on again "It'll buy you q cloak
to cover sins, the good opinion of every
body in the world, and maybe the easier
seat in Heaven, who knows she said,
bitterly.
ooh, Polly, don't say so; you know
youll never get to Heaven if you amt
good. no matter how much money you've
got; don't believe that, Polly, if you are
older than ! be- said Jane, whose faith
N her orthodox teachings neither Polly's
superior wisdom nor wOrldllneSs could
shake.
II know didn't mean that, said Polly,
Dcnitently; "but it does seem as though
money could do everything; | wish was
rich, guess I'd show them that wasn't
30 be sneered at"
"Why, who sneers at my POlly?' asked
John Martson, from the room where he
had been listening to the conversation,
unknown to the girls.
Polly blushcd crimson, and did not al
swcr until her father repeated the ques-
zion, and then she said, hesitatingly
''Whv, all the girls who wear better
clothes than do, they call me poverty.
stickcn, and such names
And are you poyerty-strickcn, Polly?
asked Mr. Marston.
Moo, have enough 10 cat and
wear, such as it is; but it isn't like
.hers"
Haven't you anything else?' asked
her father, coming to the door, where
he could look down upon his daughter
lace.
ooh, yes have you and mother, and
Jamie"
Gould money pay you for thesey'
ooh, no! | guess they couldn't; but
papa, would like to have some money,
80 mamma could have the brown merino,
and Jamie new cloak, and you nice
scarf, wouldn't you?'
eyes, my child, all these are nice
things to have, but would you be willing
to barter peace of mind, love, honor and
happiness, for them?'
"Why, no, but must you always do
.haty' asked Polly, wonderingly.
Not always, becaus. money is some
times honestly earned, but very frequent
" all the better part of mans nature
is the forfeit for his bag of gold. Be
content with what you have, Polly, and
chow those girls, who care more for the
outward adjoining, than for the inner
adjoining of meek and quiet spirit is
.he one level of price you own, Can you
not forget their words in thinking OF
Hin who, when he was reviled, reyiled
not againe' ard with these words, Mr.,
Marston walked away. Polly sat think
ing deeply after that, and Jane looking
mp into her face. saw look upon it she
could not read.
Jane" SAID Polly, suddenly, "you
said was smart Do you think | could
tcach the district school>n
why, Polly" exclaimed Jane, ''you
don't mean it! You know enough OF
course, but you're only fourteen, and
.here Jack Scranton, he's eighteen and
with 'ems'
u don't know what I'd do, but I can
try for it, and then III do the best can, y
said Polly, decidedly. II amt afraid OF
Jack Scranton, or any of them. and il
Mr., Squiils will give me the school, IT
earn some money
Polly Polly" called her mother,
-y3F md ~ IN,