The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-01-17
ONLY A FARMER.

of Mrs Wilson and her three unmarrle
daughters, and the subject under such an
mated discussion was how and where the
should open their usual summer campaign
II has always been an interesting SUBJECT
and. to the maternal element attended wit
considerable anxiety, but never such matte
of perplexity almost amounting to despair, a
now.
The contents of the various wardrobes hat
been laid out and examined; silks and mus
Inns, cambrcs and lawns, sufficient 1t would
seem, for 3 dozen, and the two elder Misses
Wilson declared with tears in their eyes
that they had nothing absolutely nothing
to wear.
1t is noteworthy with what surprising
unanImity the two sisters agreed on TIL:
point.
Mrs. Wilson looked with dismay upon the
dnerv spread out before her, after listening to
the above assertion.
PPM sure, my DEAR" she ventured to say
some of them are hardly worn, and with a
little alteration
Now, mammal" interrupted Belle, "why
will you talk so ridiculously when you know
there is not thing here but what is wretch
edly out Of style As to altering anything.
it always gives me pain IN the side to sew,
and am not going 70 Saratoga all tagged
out, if I never go"
OF course this settled it. It's little
curious what a small amount of work will
flag girl all out who can dance until the
break of day without the slightest inconven-
fence.
There's one thing certain said Lucy, the
second daughter, "we've got to have at least
one new dress"
II don't know where it's To come FROM
then" responded Mrs. Wilson, sinking down
YEARLY into chair. ut was as much rs
could do to get pas consent to going at all.
1t was 2 o'clock ut night before be gave in,
aud then verify believe 1t was from pure
WEAKNESS and inability to keep awake any
longer"
Mrs. Wilson said this with an AIR of
woman determined to perform her duty at
all hazards, and anxious to obtain credit for
the same.
effect upon Josie, the youngest daughter
who had not before spoken, but who now
burst forth:
IL declare, if it isn't sin and a shame,
mamma, for you to worry pa sol'
Mrs. Wilson cast n reproachful look upon
the speaker.
Il will say, Josie, that you are the most
ungrateful chlld ever saw. Id like to know
how much money I'd get out of your pa if
didn't worry it out. But that's ali the thanks
get for lying awake nights, scheming and
planning how to give you chance to get
settled in life"
I'D thank you for not doing 50, I'm not
going to Saratoga or Long Branch. In the
1rst place know that pa can; afford it.
And then promised Mary Crofton that I
would visit her this summer"
Though Mrs. Wilson affected to be dis
L. oha
ly relieved.
Belle and Lucy were very well suited with
this arran cement too. Josie was very handy
at furnishing up and making over, and if
she was determined to bury herself in a
county farm house, she would not need so
much of that for herself and could therefore
devote more time to them. And so busy
did they keep her during the two weeks that
followed, that Josie was glad enough to see
the big trunks all packed and waiting in the
hall.
To save expenses, Mrs. Wilson had ar
ranged to dismiss the servants, and shut up
the house, with the exception of one room
for her husband, who was to take his meals
at his sisters.
'Of course, she won't charge him nythlng,
20 that will be one item saved" remarked
Mrs. Wilson as she regarded complacently
management had secured.
"As though pa would board there for moth
ing" was Josies indignant rejoinder, "when
Uncle William had such hard time TO get
along"
"Well, if your pa chooses to pay when he
needn't and it ism expected of him, it's his
own loss. For my part l don't see what's
the good of having relations If you can't
make use of them"
Mrs. Wilson certainly believed in making
her relatives useful, carrying out that belief
TO it's fullest extent, whenever it was practi-
cable. as some of them knew to their cost.
Even her love for her daughters partook of
the selfshness of her intensely selfish nature,
her chief anxiety being to get them "off her
hands" and in manner that would be as
advantageous and reflect rs much credit on
herself a. possible.
But they were gone, at last, and Josie was
at liberty To make her own simple prepare
tions, which did not take her long to COM
plete-
The father and daughter had a nice quiet
tea together. Josie was going on the NOR
row. and as. sitting opposite him and pouring
out his tea, she saw the hard lines soften in
his careworn tace and how happy he was in
her society, her heart reproached her for leav-
FL have half mind not to go, papa, il
seems too bad TO leave you here all by your
self"
But Mr.. Wilson would not hear TO this.
II insist upon your going; you have been
working hard, and you need change. My
life would be much the same anyhow"
"You can expect me in three weeks, papa,
smiled Josie, from the car window the mex
morning. "You will want your little house
keeper BY that time, l know
And Mr.. Wilson went back to the corrod
ING anxieties which had made him an ole
man before his time, thanked God for thi
Git of sunshine, and which left its glow il
che heart long after it had vanished.
There was only few passengers for Bay
ridge. a small town in the interior of tn
State. though there were the usual lounger
upon the platform of the station as JOSH
stepped out. But they soon scattered, leavin,
her to stare blankly around for the carriag
that she supposed would be waiting for he
at the'station.
She walked clear around the station look
ing in every direction. but not vehicle wa
In sight except rough box wagon. with
board across 1t, drawn by pair of spirite.
black horses, that stamped their feet an
tossed their beads as if impatient to be of.
A man stood beside the FESTIVE creature.
that vet seemed to be under perfect contro
There, Jenny Be easy, KateP' ne sale