The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-05-06

send her III disgrace to the foot of her
class, II but moment tardy And she
had studied SO hard to keep her place
and win the head-mark that night, and
her most dreaded rival stood next below
her ready to take her place in triumph
If she failed.
inspired b. the thought to almost
desperation, she barred her arms, and,
catching up the great dishpan, rushed
to the stove for hot water to wash the
dishes. But-horror Of horrors In
her hurry she had forgotten to fill the
tea-kettle before sitting down to her
breakfast, and it was empty. And, to
worse matters, the fire was nearly out
and had to be kindled, and the water
bucket was empty, with quite step to
the well to fill it. At the same instant.
the full consciousness of all the many
things she had to do rushed like an ava
lanche upon her. Every item-clearing
up the table and packing the dishes, and
then washing and wiping and stacking
them again, and carrying them to the
safe; washing all the stove utensils, one
by one, and arranging them properly,
ana at the same time securing the stove;
then all the rooms to sweep and dust.
and the beds to make, and then getting
herself ready-all, every item clear and
distinct, flashed before her, clamoring to
be done right then-that Instant
thong really requiring hours to accom-
Pl1sh And, to cap the climax, right
then she remembered that her little
brothers were not yet up, and had to be
dressed and helped to their breakfast
taking an eternity, it seemed, of itself |!
don't care if [ do have to record it of
my little heroine. Many much older
and stouter hearts have quailed before a
much less formidable array of adverse
circumstances. She was doomed-head-
mark, honor, pride, all lost, gone--she
just sat right down and cried, as if her
precious little heart would break.
But 1t was only for moment. Like
ray of sunshine, the homely maxim of
the evenings before dispute shot through
her mind: "Take care of the minutes.
and the hours will take care of them
Selves" "Aghast at mole hills as mount
aims, rivulets as mighty streams.
There was hope for her yet. By talk
ing right hold of the first thing at hand,
and doing it quickly as possible, passing
right on to the next without counting
what was yet undone, she might still
get through in time for school. She
would at least try, and, if she did fail,
fail trying.
Strange how formidable things appear
when we stand doubling before them, only
to prove SO very easy and trifing when
once we bravely grapple with them! It
was marvellous how the work flew before
her fingers
The fire was hastily kindled, and was
soon blazing Justify. The pump was
soon primed, and the teakettle filled and
over the fire. Hastily the twin broth
ers were awakened, dressed, washed, and
eating their breakfast, while the water
was heating Not to lose any time, be-
fore they were through, Gussie made
some of the beds and busted the rooms.
By this time the twins were through,
and the water hot, and, not daring to
look up at the clock, she commenced her
dishes, and, not waiting to count them
goodness knows there was enough of
them to appall the stoutest heart), she
soon had them all washed, dried and
packed away. These finished, with the
pYts, skillets and pans all secured, and
hung in their places, and the stove too,
arranged, she finished making the beds
and tidying up the rooms. She had the
last thing done about the house and was
about to draw long breath of relief,
when, with dismay, she remembered
that she had not yet MIXED. This was
long, tedious job, and, though tears
gushed up In her eyes and she bit
her lip with vexation, Gussie bravely
caught up the pail and ran down into
the lot where the COWS were, two little
hands being soon at work with might
and main. Somehow the COWS never
stood better; perhaps some kind fairy
had whispered to them Of their little
mistress trials, and their great honest
hearts had pitied her. Certain it is that
the milking was never done better, nor
more speedily, and was strained and put
away almost in no time. The very last
thing of all the formidable array done.
Gussie glanced timidly up at the clock.
What had some good fairy, too, tam
pered with it's hands? She could scarce
~ DOIlCFC ICL OI11.J 1Id1l- kJdSU Q
full half-hour in which to get ready
and reach school. Hastily arranging
her hair and dress, she put up her din
ner, and, leaving the wondrous twins in
charge of grandpa, who had just hap
pened to drop in, Gussie tripped lightly
away for school.
And the mistress that morning, as she
glanced over the array of bright eyes,
rosy cheeks and cherry lips, saw no eyes
SO bright, nor cheeks so rosy as Gussie's.
She had fought and won q mighty bat
tie, and, though no tangible wreath of
victory crowned her brows, the glow of
a victor was at her heart. She felt, our
little miss, proud, womanly seif-reli-
ance that no gold could have purchased.
Her lessons were never SO easy before;
it seemed that all she attempted that day
wasmerelyplay. Notonly was the coveted
headmark carried off in triumph and her
rival completely discounted, but her
teachers commend for her promptness
In the morning and her excellent les