Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-07-11
YOU know who I wass" he questioned, in

you know who I vast" he questioned, in
an amused sort of way.
"Oh, it didn't require any great cxcr-
else of brilliance for hat," responded
Barbara. with little nod of the head.
81 know Squire Dallas has got new
hired man; and if you're not he, who
are you?"
"Thats the question" said tho stranger
gravely.
but we mustn't stand talking here"
went on Barbara, in business-like SOFT
of way. "Take the basket and go to
picking strawberries just as fast as ever
you can, because we're to have company
at our nouse-l'm Barbara Wylde, you
know, young man-and must get back
with the berries for desert as quickly as
possible"
"All right,' said the stranger; I'm
tolcrbly quick at this sort of thing, l be-
lieve."
81 hope you are" said Barbara--in-
tent ON extracting a tiny rose pricker
from the point of her stained foretinger
49," and at other things t"o. Because, if
you're not, Squire Dallas won't keep
you.'
ale won't ch?"
Barbara shook her head. The last
durc the squirc's driving ways said she.
"Oh, / was SO sorry! He was nice. lie
nscd to lend me books and things over
the fence, and he taught the district school
in the winters. used often to come here
and talk with him over the stone wall,
because, you see, it's lonesome up at the
house if do have two grown sisters.
Lisettc is cross with me if ask to Dor
row any of her books. she has a dreadful
temper, has our Iisctte-and Maude is
too intellectual to trouble herself about a
slip Of a girl like me. Grown sisters are
dreadful" with solemn shake Of the
head.
"And suppose you are not grown"
said Squire Dallass hired man, with a
curious CLEAN of amusement around the
corners of his mouth.
No." said Barbara, Il am only sixteen,
and haven't got trains to my dresses yet.
But perhaps when the girls get married,
and one of them is sure to marry this Cap
tain Severn-Oh, take care, you re tipping
all the berries out on upon the grass!
Squire Dallas won't keep you week if
you're as clumsy as that
But the hired man luckily succeeded in
righting the basket before its crimson
contents were irretricvably lost
Its all riyht,' said he, see how rapid
ly it is filling up. But suppose this Cap
tain IL forget what you said his name
was!'
'You mustn't forget things" said
Barbara Squire Dallas never will be
suited with that. He's q very particu-
lar old gentleman. I mention these
things you know"7with IN air Of mild
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS you seem like a
nice, respectable young man, and I
should like you to keep the place."
~ am much Obliged to YOU said the
stranger, hurriedly putting strawberry
into his mouth.
"Now you are eating the Strawberries
said Bar bara, severely. You shouldn't
d. that"
''One or two is of no consequence"
apologized Squire Dallas's hired man.
but was going to say, suppose this
company gentleman-"
Captain Severn, his name is" inter-
posed Barbara.
"Ycs-suppose that Captain Severn
shouldn't fall in love with either of your
grown sisters!'
"Thcn he'd be a very great disappoint-
mcnt," cried out Barbara, "becaus
Lisettc is six and-twenty, and Maude
says she'll cut her throat sooner than be
an old maid:
"Hc might fall in love with you,' sug-
gested the young man, regarding his
pretty companion With a'aS S}Has'"~' e'""'e
'io' With me- repeated Barbal. Me!
"a little girl that wears dresses without
trains, and isn't out Of hel scales yet! now
tell you what, young man, you are talking
a great deal too much and working a
great deal to little. Perhaps, if you're
very smart with berries, Ill bring you one
Of Philliss tarts. and put it on the stone
ence tonight. Phillis does make the
deliciousest strawberry tarts!''
That would be deli ghtful,' said the
stranger, promptly.
Barbara gave scrutinizing glance into
the berry basket.
Il begin to think we've got almost
enough" said she.
" Not yet," pleaded her companion.
Yes" nodded Barbara :" And man.
ma will be in a hurry, End Maude will
scold dreadfully if Pm not there in time
to do her back hair.
1T strokes me- said the stranger, with
a half smile, "that you're q good deal
like Cinderella in the story books.
Barbara considered the matter for a
second or two.
so l am" said she. II never
thought about it before; but do believe
l am a little like Cinderella. But dear
me there is no glass slipper for me. And
as for you young man. relapsing all at
once irte the severe Mentor again." you
had better get back as fast as possible to
your work; and don't let Squire Dallas
catch you lettering again, if you've
any REGARD for your place.
The stranger stood with dotted cap and
attitude Of chivalrous attention.
"But you'll not forget the strawberry
tart?" said he.
"Certaialy not: If once l get old
Phillis's back turned long enough to
steal it out of the milk-room," said Bar
bara.
And off she tripped, with rosy stained
lips, golden hair floating reck!ezs'v in
the wind, and light elastic feet bowling
down the buttercups and red clover as
she went.
''Dear me, chile" said PILLS, as she
came into the kitchen, rosy and breath
less with the haste she had made, "what a
time you's benz"
"Not half an hour" cried Barbara,
1lnging away her hat, and splashing her
face with cool water out Of the bucket
Has he come, P.illis?'
>"De company young man, miss!" said
Ph;llis." "No, he amt. An Miss Lisette
she's a-scoldln' cause you amt ben to Or
range de roses fo1 de big bokay in the
middle ob de table; an Miss Maude she
done cant fix her hair to suit her; an
dar's de missus calm now. Run, Miss
Barby, run"
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