Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-11-28

eHtiy. allu lLluh now you tOlleQ all
those hot summer days to pick and dry
those black ox-hearts."
There's no help for it, DEAR said
Polly. gently. "Get your hat on quick
there's nc time to lose"
'But it isn't fair" protested Lisbeth.
"Why should all the travelling preachers
and book agents and mission collectors
come here and eat us out of house and
home? Why don't they they go to Mr..
Crocus?
Polly smiled. Because Mr.. Crocus
doesn't make them welcome, and papa
does" said she.
II do WONDER" cried Lisbeth, i'm
petuously, eff there is any other race
of men imposed upon as country min
listers are? Mark my words, Polly, I
raeUer, will mary al
But by this time Polly had tied on
her sisters straw hat, and twisted a
muslin scarf across her shoulders.
"Do make haste, DEAR" said she, in
accents of gentle entreaty, as she point
ed upward to the clock.
Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed
when Lisbeth came flying back, with
yellow tresses streaming behind, and
market-basket in her hand.
"There, Polly" cried she, in the clear,
light voice of girlhood, as she deposited
a plump chicken on the table, q there's
your new hat; and there" as she laid
down a packet of groceries, care your
gloves; and here" rafting out the po-
tatoes, 'is my last chance for new
blue neck-tie! And [ do hope, Polly,
that they II give the missionary the worst
kind of dyspepsia"
Lisbeth!'
"Well, but [ do" saucily retorted the
girl, as she turned to put away her hat.
:. And Oh, PoLlyp'
Polly turned around with start, at
the changed tenor of her sisters voice.
What is it, Lisbeth? You're not
ill?"
Lisbeth, with a glowing face, pointed
to the little wooden cupboard in the
wall, which, extending through from
parlor to kitchen, in buffers pantry
fashion, was used as a general reposi-
tory for books and papers. And then,
for the first time, Polly perceived that
both doors were slightly ajar.
Polly" muttered the girl, hoarsely,
:" he has heard every word! He couldn't
help it." And flinging her hat in one
direction, and her scarf in another,
Lisbeth fled up the narrow wooden
stairs to her own room, and threw her.
self, sobbing Historically, upon the bed.
It's my tongue" sobbed Lisbeth,
"my wretched, chattering tongue. Papa
always warned me against giving loose
rein to it; Polly always told me it would
get me into trouble. On, dear, deaf, waat
mast he think? how can [ ever look him
liz the face?" And with this doleful
resume, Lisbeth buried her hot face in
the pillows, and cried harder than ever.
1t seemeda1, ge to ner, but it was in
reality little more than half an hour,
before Polly came fluttering up the
stairs, like sweet browed guardian
angel.
"Lisbeth." said she, darling, don't
fret-you meant no harm. Get up and
braid your hair, and come down stairs.
Dinner will be on the table directly, and
papa is asking for YOU"
Llsbeth sat up and pushed the damp
fringe of yellow hair out of her eyes.
a" shall not come down, Polly"
y
very much vexed."
"Neverp cried Lisbeth, with fresh
burst of tears; "qleuer"
But the country parson himself pres
emily came to the rescue, with mild eyes
and firm, gentle voice.
No member of my family must be
lacking IN courtesy to guest" said he,
taking Lisbeth gently by the hand; and
the poor child was led shamefacedly
into the kitchen, where the table was
spread, and Polly stood smiling at its
head.
"Mr. Vincent" said the parson to
the tall stranger, " this is my youngest
child"
II am the black sheep of the family"
said Lisbeth, hanging her head. and
I'm very sorry, Sir, and [ beg your par
DON"
"Pray don't mention it," said Mr..
Vincent, in genuine distress at the sight
Of the modification of this yellow-hair-
ed lassie with deep hazel eyes and the
red, sensitive mouth.
And when dinner was overland here
let us mention that Mr.. Vincent ate and
drank with an excellent appetite, as if
no lurking shadow of the threatened
dyspepsia disturbed his digestion-and
the country parson had taken his guest
into the study, Polly put her arm around
Llsbeth's waist, and drew her out under
the morning-glory vines, where, by this
time, the blue and rose-tinted cups had
all folded themselves into tight little
parasolettes, and hidden behind the
leaves. .Lt-
:" Lisbeth," said she, "Pve got good
news for you"
Nothing can be good news any
more" said Lisbeth, with fresh burst
of tears.
ooh, but listen," soothed Polly. "Do
you know who this Mr.. Vincent is"
"A-missionary, I suppose" And
poor Lisbeth spoke the word as if it was
q dose of quinine.
"No, dear, he's the bishops secretary.
And he has heard of papa's learning
offer him a parish near New York, with
twelve hundred dollars-only think of
it, Lisbeth!-twelve hundred dollars q
year, and an assistant. We shall be
rich, darling, and dear, dear papa will
have little rest and ease in his old
age"
at can't be true" said Lisbeth,
vaguely.
"But it Is" cried Polly; and then the
two sisters began to cry and sob, with
happy incoherence,- in each others
arms.
els it possible cried Polly Fem,
" that it is whole year since we came
to Moreham Reetorv ~