Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-11-24

His barn fun of bursting bins
His wife presented him with twins;
HIS ne1ghbors marveled more and more
To sec the increase III his store.
and now the merry farmer sings
"There are two ways of doing things;
And wnen for good luck you would pray,
Hang up Your horseshoe the right way"
-Harper's Magazine.
PATTY OR PEARL7
A warm, clear April night, holding a
primrose of the summers splendor-a
night that stole softly into the library of
Benjamin Darren's stately city home,
and wrapped slender, graceful figure
in the sweetness OF its lilac-scented dusk.
Beside the open window stood man.
tall, gray-haired, resolute, stern.
"This is nonsense, Pearl~sheer nom
sense - he said, ang1ily. "Whe1e you
get such romantic notions I cannot i'm
agine. Loved for yourself-what stuff
girls talk! Why, child, you have the
best match in the country at your feet,
and you refuse him! Not as rich as we
are, of course" and his gold seals were
pompously dangled; but fine family,
good connections, brilliant talents
"Father," and there was an imperious
ring in the girlsh voice, "we will drop
this subject, once and for all. He has
not seen me since he drew me to school
on his sled, little child, ten years ago;
and more than likely he is as anxious as
am to be free from that childish en-
gagement, contracted by our parents
without our consent. And now, papa.
darling,'' with sudued change of voice.
"you will let this be the end-wiI YOU
not?"
And before he could say yes or no,
she had thrown her white arms around
his neck, giving him conciiatory little
hug, and, with a frou-frou of her silken
dress, had flown from the room.
Summer, with it's breathless, st1hing
heat-its enervating sultriness-beat
down from sky OF brass upon the star
ing city streets. Almost every one of
Importance had left town, on pleasure
bent, but Benjamin Darren's blue-eyed
helress petulantly and resolutely refused
to go.
"Where is the good Of leaving?" she
would say when they urged her. 81
AAtN'O hettA cWO SCttSOuo uOue-QOC
many, to be sure-but it is hresome;
and that fellow, Roy-Roy-whats his
name?-would be turning upsomewhere
and spoil it all. No, will stay in the
city and enjoy myself quietly in my own
way"
But when July came, with its binding.
uncomfortable heat, she began to repent
her hastily-made decision, and lon ing
sprarg up in her heart to escape from
ali this white, shallowless glare-to hear
the plash Of foam-crowned breakers on
the sandy beach, or to lie restfully calm,
ID the cool green shade of an elm trees
mighty branches.
So her father looked up in unfeigned
surprise, one day, when she came into
bis office, dainty vision, all cream and
heliotrope, and told him her resolution.
"Not to any of the crowded watering
places, papa,' she said, decidedly, when
he suggested Newport; "but away up
among the mountains to Aunt Deborah's
lonely, cozy farmhouse. After one win
ter's city life, am tired of it, and find
myself longing for rest, GOODNESS and
homemade bread"
Nh: Barren drew her fondly to him,
d GWluhl0 ID DIS ewes.
~ am heartily glad that this stubborn
little fortress has surrendered; and now
now there is only one tower left stand
ing-a slender tower of resolute opposi-
tion-and may the mountain breezes
blow that down, my darling!'''
But Pearl shut tightly together lips
brightly pink as oleander blossoms, and
gravely shook her head.
+ X X
The afternoon sun stared unblinkingly
in Oh the shining tins and sand-scoured
floor OF Deborah Darren's coy kitchen,
and on.Deborah Darren herself-a strong
featured, kind-eyed spinster, in snowy
kerchief and snowier cap, serenely peel
ing red-cheeked apples in the rocker by
the open window.
The moments licked on to three and
still she sat there, till over the snow.
hecked floor shadow fell.
She started up in dire amaze at the
sight of stately city young lady, clad in
cool, gray travelling dress with bands of
snowy linen at the throat and wrists.
AUNT Deborah, don't you know: me ?"
"I-no-that is Why, you-you
cant be Ben's little girl"
For the belle of many brilliant ball
room had come forward, with out
stretched arms, in that whitewashed
farmhouse Htchen-come forward, a sob
and laugh strangely blended in the
sweet young voice.
II am Ben's little girl, Aunt Deborah!
Where is my welcome? ?"
And, for answer, Miss Barren caught
her closely in her strong arms, and, with
many tender word and fond caress,
welcomed her city niece. p
By-and-bye, when they sat and talked
together, Pearl raised her eyes-vividly
blue as forget-me.nots-to her aunt's
face. 49,. T." =. = r.
"Aunt Deborah, I:want you:to prom
Use. to let me do precisely as Il please
here, want to wear calico dresses and
big hat, to eat apples and help YOU
make butter-in fine, to leave all my city
airs a. home With my Worth made
dresses in my Saratoga trunk. 4 May II"
"Bless the child's heart --yesY Miss
Deborah said,: taking two little hands
soft as rose-leaves, smooth as sa6n, into
her wrinkled fingers. =. Just as YOU like.
my dear. And-and"- moment
her eyes grew strangely dim would.
you mind if I called you Patty? Your
own name is prettier,. but T love the
other :, best; and you-yoa arp $50 like
And Pearl Darren knew that the kind
blue eyes were moist forlove of the GOLD
haired little sister who, 70 long ago, had