Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-09-29
A Story for Girls.
BY ADELAIDE s. sEAvERNs.


tinted and monogrammed envelope upon
the ironing table.
No wonder Philura was surprised for
letters were rare at Jackson farm up
among the Vermont hills. At stated
intervals Mrs. Jackson received formal,
precise notes from her only sister who
had married Boston merchant, but
Philura herself had no friends or ac-
quaintances outside the village.
"Well, why under the sun don't you
open it?" snapped her father. as he
For Philura was critically examining
the envelope. hardly knowing at which
end to open the dainty thing.
"It's from Aunt Harriet" said Phi
lura, glancing at the signature, and she
read aloud:
Dear Niece Though l have never
seen you. I yet cherish kindly regard
for you for your mothers sake. Your
life must be very dull in your country
home, and L now write to ask you to
come to Boston and visit us. You and
my Sylvia are nearly of an age, and it
would, perhaps, be we'll for you to be-
come acquainted with each other. If
your mother can spare you, come the
first week in October.
| HARRIET HOWARD.
"And this is the goth of September.
0 mother, can l 60 ?" and Philura paus.
ed, flushed and breathless.
"You must ask your pa? Harriet is
very kind. I'm sure"
"Kind l'' growled Mr.. Jackson.
"Rather new kink, isn't it, for her to
be sendin' invertations up here. when
she's always tried to forgit you were
alive ever since you married me, Jo-
anna?"
"Now, William, don't! You know
Harriet moves in fine society in Boston,
and of course cannot be really intimate
with u.s.
"Stuff fine society! I'm as good as
her husband any day-and mebbe bet
ter"
"But, pa, can't 60? ?" pleaded Phi
lura. s
81 don't care" said Mr.. Jackson as
he stepped off the doorstep. "Your ma
can settle that"
Of course Mrs. Jackson was willing,
and she took great delight in furnishing
her daughters wardrobe for the project
ed Boston visit. She was mild little
woman, mortally afraid of her rough
husband, whose will was law. Philura
was the only child, and she had grown
up like weed in the rank household
soil. Her father was kindly but un-
educated farmer, bent on making money
and looking out for good bargain.
When the little girl was born he was
mighty disappointed" as he expressed
it, for "twas sich pity she war'nt a
boy" He had brought up the child as
if she were young colt, and now at the
age of seventeen, she was healthy and
brown, but unpublished and hoydenish-
"a regular boy" her mother would
sometimes sigh. She had been in the
district school of winters, but her father
didn't believe in educating girls. HI
would say, when the mother feebly re
demonstrated "Wall, / got along wei
, enough without an eddication, and SOC
you. What's the gal want of eddica
} ton? If it's material for gal to learn
she will. It's all mater, and if Philury'
got it in her, she'll learn enough withou
being kept at school studyin' all sort o
rubbish" And so Philura assisted il
/ the spring planting, raked hay ant
helped load the wagons in the summer
and was very useful in the fall harvest
ing, besides being initiated into al
; household mysteries. However, Philur
, loved her books, and it was material
i for her to learn.
But she was really going to Boston
the ultima Thule of the young girl
= dreams. She was very happy. the onl
? drawback being her slender wardrobe
which was in rather shabby condition
i Her father wouldn't give her a Ger
r beyond her fare. and so Mrs. jackson
L her carefully boarded egg and butte
money, expended enough to purchase
new dress and other accessories. thin
4 Philura was never so well dressed as,
b her brown delaine suit, and black stra
y hat with its nodding poppy blossom
e she was carried to the depot in the far
" wagon.
What novelty the ride to Boston W;
n to the unsophisticated girl She wei
,e into raptures at every mile, quite regar
t. less of her fathers, don't be a COOS
le Philura." For her father accompanit
e her. clad in the homespun coat whic
had been his best for years.
. At last, Boston. The dusk was ia
ly gathering when Philura stepped into t
,h great depot, holding fast her father
o. hand. Her uncle was there to me
~ ~ her. Mr.. J. was to return on the ne
ne train. and Philura said good.by with
:" great lump in her throat aud follow
It. her uncle to the waiting hack. Pc
% LITTLE rirl she uas alrnndu hnmnsif