The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-16
ONLY A FARMER.

TRUTH
And Miss Ada Anterior founced into an
easy chair, and prepared for lit OF the
sulks.
Her mother looked up, amused at the
frankness of her youngest daughter, and,
as for her eldest daughter, Dora, she sank
back in her seat with a panied blush In her
dark cheek.
Il am sure, Ada, you need not complain.
You have far easier time living at the Hol-
lyhocks than either mother or /, she said.
why everything need be so hateful,
don't see, grumbled Miss Ada. frowning
under her flaxen curls. IF father hadn't
died now, he might have run along for years,
until Dora and I were suitably married, and
kept up appearances SO we could have made
good matches. Now everybody knows we
are poor"
t'And everybody knows We are honest!'
cried Dora, who still trembled at the men,
ton Of her dead father 1--WE settled every
thing as honorable as possible, and came
here to live glad of Uncle Alfred's offer-at
least, was
''And am sure was my dear, said Mrs.
Anterior, with a sigh. II am thankful to
have roof over my head in my old age"
'Uncle Alfred was absorbed in aori-
culture, and made pet of the place for
years. It's lovely here, / think, said Dora,
leaning to look out into the bright summer
garden.
II don't care for flowers, :" returned Ada,
modify. II can't make myself happy
with hose and watering pots: did think it
would be better than this, with the Waters's
place opposite. But Allen Waters is away
and the gates shut against us. In fact,
there is nobody here!"
~ IL 81
of a man you don't know in the least, Ada"
said Dora, returning to her sewing.
I'm not in the least like yOu Dora, with
your notions of congeniality and similar
tastes" burst forth Ada ''I've a taste for
comfort and luxury, and could love any
man who would give them to me. Besides"
somewhat moderating her violence, as her
mother looked annoyed at her extreme
statement, ''you know we have always heard
what fine fellow Allen Waters was'"
Dora said no more. Her bright, dark
face burned with indignation. She was
ashamed of Ada, erieved, yet secretly tried
to make some excuse for her sister.
Perhaps the Hollyhocks was dull beyond
endurance to Ada. They had never been
alike. It was wrong, perhaps to blame her
too much. Yet she still shuddered at Ada's
unwomanly words.
Day by day Ada continued her complaint
of the Hollyhocks. She was miserable her.
self, and she certainly made everybody else
SO. While Dora was as busy as q bee, Ada
mopcd herself almost sick.
The little old phaeton which Dora had
driven in as q child was left the family. and,
at her mothers suggestion, Dora hired
mild, fat Dobbin of ncighboring farmer
one day and invited Ada to drive.
"There,s lovely scenery along the valley
road. It will make a little change for you
Ada. Besides I've bit of news to liven
you up"
Ada turned languidly.
"Allen Waters is coming home" said
Dora, with family mischievous smile.
After moments thought Ada arose, ar
rayed herself in her prettiest dressing Co.'S
tune, and entered the carriage.
"Drive past the Waters estate, Dora.
What fat, lazy horse! There is no fun in
driving if you can't drive in style. There,
now, see the Waters place. It's all I ex-
pected it to be. There'd be some comfort
in living if one could be mistress there. It's
no better marriage than / ought to have
made if papa had not failed:
And, with disconnected lips and an arro-
CANT toss of the head, Ada was driven past
hay wagon in which was q man in his
shirt-sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with frank
curiosity.
Did you bow, Dora? Impudent fellow!
How he stared! Country folks!" sneered Ada.
II bowed because he bowed to us, Ada. You
would not have me repel such mere civility.
He is probably some one who knows us,
though we are strangers here.
II detest such people.
II don't think could detest any one who
! wore such white shirt-sleeves, and looked
SO comfortable under broad straw hat this
hot day, laughed Dora, carelessly.
But the very next moment Ada was thank
full for the existence of such people, for
| the phaeton broke down, and, with q dismal
scream, she was tipped from her seat and
landed among the roadside buttercups and
clover.
The mild, fat old horse instantly stopped.
Dora looked an1ously about for help. No
house was near. She looked appealingly
up and down the quiet road; then-oh,
glad! saw the hay-wagon, the straw
hat, and the white shirt-sleeves drawing
near.
"You have broken down, said the owner,
THANK You, yes. The carriage seems
coming all to pieces" said Dora, trembling
from fright. Gould you do anything to
help me? should be, oh, SO much obliged
to you!"
yes, said Ada, shaking the dust off her
silk skirts. I'VE are the Misses Anterior.
We will pay you, of course"
The man bent to examine the axeltree.
His face was turned toward Dora, aud she
| saw him smile.
Its not so very bad, then? she said, anx-
iously.
1t might be fixed, think, so you could