Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-10
STORY OF 4 WHITE SLAVE
BY EMMA nERKleE WEED.

~ EMMA llEhhtt i NEf.l'.
s farmhouse kitchen, wide and
pleasant, the spring sunshine lying in
bright squares on the glossy floor, and
tho wind out Of the old apple orchard,
and long line of snowy cherry trees,
drifting in the open door, with its de-
Iicious perfume and breezy breath A
woman stands 1T the table, on which
are piled high the frcshly-baked loaves
brown and fragrant woman no long
er young. but whose hair is plentifully
sprinkled with grey, and whose form
is visibly bent, as if from the weight of
Years. And yet she has seen but forty
wears, albeit years that could but "leave
their traces on heart and brain, SO
full have they been crowded with the
burdens that, once borne, leave their
nefacAble impress for all time to
come. She had been fair once. If YOU
doubt it look nj the blooming girl who
enters from the porch, with ripping
FURNISHED hair and glad blue eyes-the
mage other mother they call her, as
that mother looked twenty years ago.
You have seen two roses ON their pa
rent stem, one with its creamy heart,
tich and fragrant just opening to the
Kiss of the June sun; the other u little
over down, faded wlthered, and with
scentless leaves, sadly folding from the
ight and dew, neither Of which is able
% renew its life and beauty. You have
aotcd the contrast, and yet have not
doubted that tho dying flower, in its
aeyday and morn of Seasoning, was
equally sweet and glorious with the
now unfolding ore. And if Lillian
Grey, is lovely and full Of womans'
promise, no less so was Miriam Grey,
standing in the May sunlight score Of
years agone. The elder woman looks
1t the young girl with an inctlahle
light of love yearning in her faded eyes.
\ Lille" says She tenderly, II finish
ed your dress last night except the lace
a the neck and wrists, SO you can have
K to wear this afternoon
why, mamma" Lillian Gray an
,wered, Il had intended to wear some
other. ! did not wish you to sit up
when you we're 50 tired. You know
did not
But | wish you to have it, dear /"
aer mother said fondly. "Tho other
girls will be in white. and | could not
bear that you should be disappointed :
Her daughter went UP to her, and
putting her arms around her neck
kissed her pale mouth tcnderly. 1t
was little deep, but it sweetened that
whole weary day of toll for Marian
Grey
You had better dress before dinner,
Lille" her mother said, so as to he
.eady when they call for you"
:" | will help you first about the dim
ncr," the girl replied.
But her mother put her by with the
assurance that she could do quite well
1lone And so the thoughtless though
really unselti,h girl left the kitchen,
and tripped to her own little chamber,
began her simple toilet, while her
mother, flushed and weary, bent above
Inc glowing range, and hurried 10 and
FRO, from pantry to cellar, and from
,tore-room to table, in her preparations
for the midday meal.
Hurried YES, She was always hurry
ne to and fro i'll his domain; she had
hurried for many years, would hurry
till, 10 doubt. until some day when
sllt power Wa SDilts anu lilt lthttlpil
came, and the WORKOUT machine re-
used to longer perform its accustomed
functions Then the hurry would be
over.
Farmer Grey came in from the field
flushed and heated lis great brawny
frame in striking contast TO the slender
igure of the woman who fitted about
while he washed lit the great sink III
the corner and then asked the stereo.
typed question
j. dinner ready
Yo4, She answered quickly. You
m call the men.
And without ono smile for the weary
sice opposite his own lit the table,
without taking note that her own plate
food was scarcely ton he'd John
trey ate his hearty wel-cooked meal
nsllence and when lie had finished.
sose from the table. followed by his
farm hands. and went out. AT the
porch he turned back.
You'll have to help mo milk To-
light, Miriam, bic called out. II don't
Nant o stop the teams AL long ia We
ean see to work, iii this hnrrving
time
Il was rarely tho patient woman re-
nonstrated with Ter lords dictations.
But this time j vision u the labor to be