The Osceola times., 1878-08-24
WHO KNOWS I?


The birds made such racket in the
honeysuckle vine outside my window
that couldn't sleep. The moon was
still in the sky, but a veiled yet lumin.
Gus splendor In the east told that the
day was breaking-the day of June that
began my twenty-seventh year. When
l say that i was woman, and add that
| was unmarried, and, worst of all, that
l had lost for good the requisite energy
that held forth any promise in that d.
rection, 1t will naturally be thought that
shall make but sorry heroine; and it
is just because of these discoursging facts
that want 10 jot down this little expe-
rience of day, as a sort of consolation
to that suffering part Of my sex who
have latent hopes, long lingering, unfill>
ed, at times at the last gap, then flicker
ing up again with a sickly tenacity most
painful to contemplate. But who knows
what day may bring forth? Who
knows?
went about on tiptOe, net to awaken
mamma and l took 1t as piece of in
gratitude that when she came down to
breakfast, and began TO enjoy the toast
| had 70 nicely Drowned for her, aud 70
snih the fragrance of bunch of honey
suckles that l had scrambled for at the
risk of a sprained ankle and the cost OF a
shower of morning dew upon my clean
calico--I thought it mean of mamma to
begin about that church festival before
the day had fairly begun.
"I'm so glad its fine weather, jane"
said mamma, with great urbanity Of
tone and manner "I thought I'd get
up early, 80 that you could reach the
church in good season; and ! wouldn't
waste any flowers in the house, dear
I'd keep them all for your table"
"You know very well, mamma" re-
piled, "tbat am not going to have q
table. I've served my apprenticeship at
tables. Long ago, when / was young
and fair, wore white, with my hair
curling about my shoulders, aud had the
flower table, and enjoyed it. Later on,
l put my hair up, and had fancy
table, and endured it with great resigna
tion. Last year / had recourse to
switch to eke out my scanty locks, and
was compelled reluctantly to take the
postoffice. This year | shan't have any
thing in fact, mamma, | am not going
to the festival"
Mamma put down her bit of toast
and turned pale.
Not going TO the festival! 4" she said,
mournfuIly.
"No, mamma" said, beginning al.
ready to plead my case. Cant have
one birthday to myself? II am twenty
seven years old to-day"
cob, hush, Jane" said ny poor old
mother. You scream 80, the Hunters
next door will hear you, and blurt it all
over the place. am not deaf. II you
choose to give up all chance of-of So
clety, and neglect your duties, and
recourse, have nothing to say, only |
must in that case go myself"
"You!" cried, You'll be sick for
month afterward; you haven't been
able to do anything of that kind for
years."
81 know it, Jane; but if you refuse to
do these things, must. know | shall
be prostrated with the heat, aud my
nerves will be shattered, and you are
young and strong, and still attractive
enough 70 compete with any young lady
ia the place, and might, verify believe,
II you were not 80 obstinate aud head
strong, be surrounded and admired AS
You used to be, and you might, for my
sake, Jane, at least attend those enter
tainments."
Mamma put her handkerchief TO her
eyes, and | yielded; groaned in flesh
and in spirit, but / yielded. After |
had tidied up the work, and settled
mamma iu the cool shady sitting-room,
upon her favorite lounge, with a nice
book in her hand, and palm-leaf close
by--for the day was growing hot II
twisted up my hair before the glass, with
many s~sour fffucking grimacerst the
dark, thin, discontented lace therein,
put on an ugly brown linen dress,
calabssh of hat, and went of 10 the
church.
NY mother looked after me with such
misery in her face hat / called back to
her that would wear sonnet thing nice in
the evening?
"Will You wear your rose colored
Grape" pleaded mamma
"Will / wear spangles, and jump
through hoop?" l said. "No,mamms;
III wear my black silk"
"And curl your hair p she coaxed.
there's whole switch already curled
for me up in my bureau drawer" / re,
piled. cts nice this hot weather TO
have very little hair of ones own
Don't scream 20 !" said poor mother,
looking toward the Hunters eide vim
dowt.
As II the Hunters didn't know oil
about &C. falling charms. sDd io doubt
took % inventory Of them halt yessly y