The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-05-04
POLLY GARDNER AND THE DRAW.
BRIDGE.
BY JULIA X. HILDRETH.

would have been perfectly happy but that
her father and mother were obliged to remain
in the city. 1t was five weeks since she had
seen them, and it seemed to Polly like five
months.
One lovely afternoon Polly sat on the horse
block idly kicking one foot backward and for
ward, watching Aunt Mary as she drove off on
a visit to sick neighbor. The birds were
singing, bees were humming, and the slender
branches of the great gray-green willows that
Swallowed the road moved softly with every
light puff of wind. Away off in the field oyer
the hills Polly could hear the ring Of the now
ers' scythes. Everything was so pleasant and
peaceful that she wished her parents were there
to enjoy it with her.
Just as Aunt Mary was hidden from sight by
a bend in the road, she heard the crunching of
wheels in the opposite direction, and, on look
ing up, found it was another wagon, driven
by Mr.. Ward, the grocer and postman of Will
low Grove He checked his horse at the gate
and began fumbling slowly in his coat pocket
for something.
After considerable searching he drew out a
white envelope and turning it first one way
feeling in his pockets again, brought forth his
spectacles, adjusted them carefully upon his
nose and once more began examining the let
ter. At last he read in loud voice:
"'Miss Polly Gardner in care Of Mrs. Mary
West, Willow Grove. In haste" Then he
peeped over his glasses severely at Polly, and
asked sharply, "Who's Miss Polly Gardner?
Do you know, little girl?''
ooh, that's me!'' cried Polly, jumping from
the horseback, land Mrs. Mary West is aunty,
Please give me my letter. 1t is from mamma.
/ am so glad!"
"Can you read?" asked Mr.. Ward, he still
holding the letter far above Polly's reach.
Eyes, of course can," cried Polly, indig-
nantly. II am nine years old next week."
well WE'LL Miss Polly Gardner, here's your
letter. But if your mar hadn't put In haste
on the outside of it, you would have had to
come and fetch yourself" said Mr.. Ward, as he
handed the letter down to Polly.
"Thank you ever so much" said Polly, tear
ing her letter open ne vously. After reading it
once she said "Ohl' in a delighted voice.
Nothing the natter" inquired Mr.. Ward,
who still sa looking at Polly.
mo- but mother and father are coming to-
day, if this is the Oath of August"
'.Yes, it's the Path of August. But let's see
your letter, and / can tell you what they
mean"
Polly handed her letter back to Mr.. Ward,
WIZ iCoQ ~ diOuu oiO"Af.
".DEAREsr PoLLY-Papa finds that he can leave
his business for short time, so we have concluded
to spend the remainder of your vacation with you
and aunt Mary. We will take the train that reaches
Willow Grove at 1880 p NJ, on the oath. Tell aunt
Mary to meet us If she has the time.
"'Love to all, and thousand kisses from
"'MAMMA AND PAPA
"well," said Mr.. Ward, as he gave Polly
back her letter, they'll be here in about
half-hour, for it's almost four now. l guess
I'll be moving; it's time | was back to the
store.'' So he chirped to his horse, and then
turned the wagon, and was soon out Of sight.
As aunt Mary would not return before five
O'Clock, Polly determined to walk down to the
railroad station, and meet her father and moth
or alone. She had often been there with aunt
Mary to watch the trains come and go. 1t was
q small station, and very few people stop ped
there.
Just before reaching the station the railroad
crossed draw-bridge. Polly liked to watch
the men open and shut the draw as the boats in
the river passed through. There was foot
path over this bridge, and Polly had once cross
ed it with aunt Mary. They had stopped to
speak to the fagman, who was pleasant and
good-natured. He told Polly where she could
find some beautiful white lilies in pond not
far away. That was more than a week ago,
and the flowers we're not then open, and now
as Polly ran down the road, she thought she
would have time to gather some for her par
ents before the train arrived.
When Polly reached the station she found
no one there, and on looking at the clock, saw
that it was only ten minutes past four, 80 she
had twenty minutes to wait. Then she ran on
quickly.
The fagman stood by the draw and Polly
saw, some distance down the river, a small
vessel coming toward the bri .ge. She ran
along rapidly, and as she passed the fagman
he called ont:
..Going for the pond lillies9 The pond was
all white with them when went by this morn
ing"
s.Yes, sir; want to pick some for mamma
and papa. They wrote me letter and said
they were coming in the next train"
''Yoa don't say SO! Well, guess you're
glad Look out for the locomotive, and don't
take too long picking your flowers, and you'll
have plenty Of time to get back before the
train comes in"
Polly thanked him and ran on. In about
five minutes she reached the pond. How lovely
the lilies looked, with their snowy cups resting
upon the dark water! But their stems were
long and tough. and most OF them grew far be-
vond her reach. She contrived to secure four.
Polly WAS sorry to leave SO many behind. but
was afraid IL she fingered too long she would
miss the train. So, gathering up the blossoms,
she pinned them into her belt, and scampered
back toward the bridge.
The boat had Just sailed through the draw,
and the man stood ready to close the bridge
when Polly came up. He looked over at her
from the center Of the bridge, and called out
with smile;
Couldn't you get any more flowers than
tbeae9 II had time to 20 to the pond you