The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-12-27
A Girl in a Garden.

The garden needed hoeing badly. Not
the flower garden-that had been kept
neat and trim all along, by fiower-lOv-
ing Kate; but the vegetables, from the
radish-bed to the remOtest pOtato-hill,
were getting overrun with weeds.
This difference was not accidental by
any means; it was entirely owing to a
lack of the masculine element in the
family owning the garden. Ordinarily,
it had been possible to obtain help; but
this year. owing TO some unusual cir
cumstances, nobody could be hired for
love or money, and the garden was likely
to be swamped in weeds before hoe
could be put to it.
Things beginning to get desperate. a
general family consultation took place,
as to what should be done. 1t is odd
how people will consult upon a matter
when there isn't the least possibility of
solving the difficulty. When they
stopped talking of course they were no
nearer getting the garden hoed than
ever.
'Tlhoe it myselfr' said Kate, finally,
with spirit
"Youw exclaimed the mother, wide
eyed. She looked at the fair young face
and well-kept hands.
"Why not?" said Kate. 'I work in
lle UOWef-DeQs.'
It may be well to say that these peo-
pie did not live a in secluded wilderness,
but in a lively, prosperous village,
where the houses were on speaking
terms with one another, only a garden
apart. Moreover, Kate had no particu-
lar fondness for that kind of work.
Lacking opportunity she made no
display of personal adornment, but no.
body liked elegance better than she.
She would have taken to it naturally
had fortune favored her. But along
with these elegant tendencies, she had
much ingenuity, mechanical skill, and
energy. She could adapt herself dexter
ously to all sorts of work, even to the
scientific driving of a nail.
The decision was made, and the next
morning, having put up her hair in an
elaborate coil behind, and dOnned a
comfortable and respectable costume,
Kate provided herself with a hoe, and
began work in the garden. 1t was
bright and fresh, not too warm; and at
first, though she would never have
chosen gardening for an occupation,
even if man, the work quite inspired
her. She fell into meditation and
dreaming even, though for all that she
couldn't have been more conscious of
the novelty of her position. Steps on
the sidewalk made her cheeks flush a
little, but she looked up courageously
and frankly when any one passed.
Everybody looked astonished. One
young gentleman, with whom she had
slight acquaintance, scrutinized her
keenly at distance, rs if to convince
himself of her identity, and when he
came within speaking distance, looked
straight forward without recognizing
her. Several young ladies, boarding in
town for the season, whom Kate had
met the week before, glanced at her
with supercilious scOrn, and passed with
out speaking; but Kate didn't mind
these much
By and by Squire Adams come along.
He was an old resident, on intimate
terms with the family. Kate suddenly
remembered that he was always talking
about the uselessness of women.
'Good morning, Katei Is that YOU ?
lake care or you'll lose your chancer'
=" Best chance in the world,' laughed
hate' Tor the man. He could sit and
smoke Whlle worked in the garden"
The squire didn't know what Ia make
OF her. She stood in the midst of the
potato-patch, half leaning on her hoe
careless, graceful attitude.
Women don't know how to hoer,
He glanced at the newly stirred hills.
"Ihey can learn, can't they, if neces-
sary? 1 thought you believed in wom-
en- making themselves usefulr'
''Yes, but
"Besides, we can't get anybody to do
it. There isn't a man or boy to be
hired"
"Thats too badr' The squire looked
down the street, at a loss what to say.
't!SuppOsing George Allingham should
|nf
it?n
They had laughed at Kate about this
young man lately.
'Glad to see him, of coursei Why
shouldn't / be2"
But her face flushed deeper, in spite
OF her sauey answer, and as the squire
passed down the street, n shade OF
thought came over it. Kate was one OF
those persons who, from certain fine
recklessness of nature, are capable OF
various small deiiances of society, but
who are at the same time immensely
proud, and keenly alive to every
breath Of its opinion. Open rebellion tc
it would be impossible.
Lost in her thoughts, Kate did not al
first notice another gentleman standing
by the fence. Mr.. Mason watched heI
for minute at her work.
"WhOm did you take lessons of?''
asked he, noticing the good, round hills
she made, and more complimentary
than Squire Adams.
"Just as if l needed to be taught, y
said Kate, starting little, but quickly
taking up the light vein again
Haven't l taken care of geraniums al
WAYS ?''
blesui
lie was one of the fastidious sort, and
ne looked as if he thought she had bet
0ei IGsume the flower-beds.
u;g garden needs hoeing too Isn't
.iiIs Iatner hard work -, said he tvvirI-
my SUCK between his thumb ami I'm
seI. lou IL blister your hands ~ tj;e
rate. lie glanced over the eron,,d ~ '.I,S III
Ihey'l be easily curedu ars,....,
Kate, shortly; for She wondora.I '.i,t leu
ne WASH at home, using his oY,,,, b.,1,iiSS wy
instead OF plying hers. ldiiusi
For some time Kate worl,a,l -, -.
terrupted and in silence. Air. = vi. uliln' u
she grew tired being unused ~ " me tii'
work, and decided to stop boaio,, tiI' fI'
that day. Just then she heard a 9n;cI III
resounding step down the street S6,
knew it was George Allingham coming
and, too proud to seem TO be escapin,
from his sight, she stayed uutif b
should pass.
He came on in manly, self-respectfu
fashion, with that air so often seen il