Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-08-16


try, or calculate interest as fast as she
could talk; had read all the English
books she could find, and could talk in
telligently to you by the hour on any
topic of present interest, from the pro-
tective tariff to the probabilities of Plus
TX. being the last pope. She had her
own ideas and thought about every
thing which seemed to affect the world,
and never knew an unhappy, idle mo-
ment.
Yes, one-when Frank Warden bid
her goodbye last summer, and said he
expected to go to California to remain
for years, and probably should not be
in Preston again for some time. But
that did not last long. She had no &C
compishm ent, so called. She could
| play hymns on her old piano, could
emhroider, make delicious pies, cake
and preserves, and harness old Jenny
to the buggy; but these are not accom-
plishments. She was just rosy,
active girl with bright eyes and ten
der heart, that made the old farm
house a pleasant place to be in. These
were the two girls, whose preparations
were as different as their lives for the
coming Fourth.
Carries mind being once made up,
she did not hesitate or grieve over the
inevitable. Her mood was only mock
heroic, for she did not hope or in
tend to reform the world-only have
a pleasant day.
If [ worry or feel at all vexed,"
she reasoned, "my fun will be all spoil
ed, and I'm really going to try and be
independent. ag...s.. t.t
The next morning early found her at
the washtub. It was very far from a
homely picture that she made at the
door of the shed, the sunlight playing
over her ripping hair tucked out of
the way, and her round white arms
dashing the snowy suds about. At
times pucker in the absorbed mouth
and then smile and a few notes of q
song, as the way seemed clear. There
| was an unseen spectator of this new
! signing of declaration of independ-
ence, gentleman who was across the
fields. He must have admitted it, for
he stopped to look and then ensconsing
himself on a top rail among well dis
posed branches, he watched until the
little drama was over. Saw the clear
ripsing water supercede the suds, saw
the dress hung to dry in shady
place, smiled at the little pats which it
received before Carrie left it and disap-
peared into the house. He waited,
but she did not come out again.
and only the dress hung there, Tapping
in the wind. Only! The natura scene
was lovely, with the old farm house
nestled IN elms, the orchard rambling
down the a hill at the back, a field of
tasseled corn stretching away to flash
ing brook which sang through the
meadow. But this was nothing without
| the active little declarer, and the gen.
tleman picked a switch and trimmed it
as he said, half aloud:
81 wonder how long it takes those
things to dry? She'll come out for it,
/ suppose. l might make a whistle D
So round about he wandered, not
losing sight of the Tapping dress, which
slowly stiff ened into an awkwark, thin,
shapeless object, and swung back and
forth on the line. Wien this result
was attained, he was repaid for waiting
to see Carrie run out with an apron
over her head, throw the dress over her
arm, and back to the shed. No use
waiting any longer; evidently the iron
ing could not be seen; and the restless
figure disappeared from the fence and
field, much to the qualification of q
squirrel who had viewed him with
disfavor for some time.
But it was pity any one who felt
interested could not have seen the con-
clusion. The shower of water from
the twinkling finger-tips, the firm roll
ing with compressed lips, and the artist
ic ironing which followed. Hair back,
close enough then to be entirely away
from the flushed cheeks, critical views
at a little distance with the head on
one side, ruffies re-ironed, and at last
all complete, and a satisfied rest on the
bed, with the dress laid On two chairs
opposite; a rest with Interruptions,
which referred to the manifold altera-
tons and final adjustment, broken at
last by the adjoining of the plebian sun
down with blue ribbons.
z The next day was the Fourth, and
dawned fair and beautiful A little
warmer than its predecessors, it was
still just the temperature for outdoor
enjoyment in the shade. Carrie gave
no thought to Dolly Warden or VaIen-
ciennes as she Strengthened the sash of
the blue cambria and tied the shutdown
over her sunny brown hair. He who
wanted anything rrettier than the
fresh brightness of the toilet and the
piqnant young face under the shadow
of the straw hat, must have been hard
to please. And though perhaps we
ought not to hear the secret which was
known only between Carrie and her
glass, she was perfectly satisfied as she
gave a last look and ran down stairs.
So was Julia, as she greeted the spot
less little figure which ran into her
room as the organdie was being as
sumed.
care you not dressed YETI"
"No, dear; Anna did not finish the
dress until last night, and the lace had
to be sewed in to-day said Julia, with
a slight frown.
"Let me help you."
Crank asked if you would come"
said Julia, from feecy maze of white
ro,,c1iy,