Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-09-08
oussion she led poor Polly still further astray

oussion she led poor Polly stil further astray
by saying:
"Oh yes, the Farmer would be so much
help to you about giving the prevailing prices
all over the state in that way you know when
corn, butter stock and poultry are advancing
and tho best time to sell. Otherwise, we
women, tied to the house, not able to get out
and learn about things as men do, are at the
mercy of spectators, who come around, and,
taking advantage of our ignorance, buy our
things and take all the profits themselves"
''Thats 80, " said Polly sadly. 81 sold some
Of my corn last week Eve cents on a bushel
too low"
"If you had had the Farmer you would
have known corn was fast advancing and held
on. knew it, and so was saved.p
DO you s'pose il get the premium I'll
have the farmer in time for fall blowing"
Mrs. Volney did not see the connection, and
was greatly puzzled to understand Polly's agi-
tation, but attributed it to her embarrassment
for this sudden conversion and confession of
faith in newspapers, and answered
''Oh yes, you'll get the money and Farmer
as soon as the fair is over"
There were only two weeks before the fair,
and they were very busy ones to Polly, who
cleaned house from cellar to garrett and made
many changes to suit the tastes Of the possi-
bic coming farmer her old loves we're for
BOlttn III lib IefNOf Oh lulh new uODet una 30
many times was her pet cat driven of the
newly-coverod cushion in the big rocking
chair that she grew anxious, gray and thin.
Polly also bought 10 yards of groen alpaca at
bargain, and, going over to Mrs Volney's,
asked with unwonted bashfulness for polonaise
and oyerskirt patterns.
II shall want one suit Just right If should
| git the farmer" she explained to the uncom-
pretending Mrs Volney, land thought I'd
go the whole fgger for this onct"
'The very idea Of having newspaper is
an educator this premium offered may be
the entering wedge that shall break up Polys
| ignorance aud let in flood of light on her
soul, Mrs. Volney said to her daughter after
Polly had gone with the patterns and full iu-
structions how to use them, to which she had
listened as attentively as any devotee of
fashion.
She set four sponges for her prize loaf, and
made two loaves from each 'settn'," and on
the appointed day, arrayed in her most extra
ordinary dress-polonaise, overskirt and trim
! med skirt-wth three carefuly-selected
loaves, she hastened to the fair. While they
were being ticketed she anxiously asked the
polite official:
''Will git the farmer and So to onct if 1
draw the first premium 2"
without the least doubt, madame have
all the premiums here on hand to be given as
soon as called for"
Polly gazed earnestly at all the men in the
office, feeling that if her farmer we're as anx-
ious as to bis fate as she was in regard to him,
his looks would betray him. But she might
as well have studied the Sphinx as their faces
SO she followed her loaves, and when once in
place hovered around them as a hen near her
brood, listening to every word said, as if from
the general public opinion she might get a
clew to her fate. She passed sleepless night,
and next day, with carefully curried horse
newly washed buggy and herself in her best
array, she drove in. At noon the committee
came, smellod, tasted and discussed, while she
suffered agonies as if running the gauntlet
but at last the blue ribbon was put on one of
her loaves and the red on another.
Regardless of the latter, she seized the blue
ribbon loaf, and, hurrying to the Office, accost-
cd the suave official, who wondered at her
breathless excitement as she held the loaf up
and said:
Are both your prizes here ?"
''Yes, madame"
DO you SEQ that blue ribbon? Iwant my
% aud my farmer"
Here they are, =" and he extended the bill
and copy of the Farmer. when would
you like to begin with the Farmer, madameY"
I'm all ready, for l come prepared to take
him home. Which one is it?" and she looked
inquiringly at group of gentlemen, who,
noticing her excited manner as she came in
had ceased their conversation and we're OBJ
serving her.
This is it," said the superintendent. put
ting it in her hand-''dste OF September 6,
IS"
why, this is newspaper! I want my
farmer"
"wen, see-The Kansas Farmer" and he
displayed the titlo-page
''Was that what Won meant Inv tba farn,or
you was goiH to give for the best loaf O. light
yeast bread?"
Eyes, madame. Oh, not one copy, GER
tainly, but years subscription" he added
hastily, thinking he had discovered the cause
Of her trouble.
That paper !" she exclaimed with the ut
most scorn, as she shifted with her upturned,
freckled nose. ''Is this the underhand way
you take to deceive lone woman like myself?
wish had words to speak out my mind to
you aud tell you just what think about it p
"What did you expect? 1t was so an
nounced on the premium list. "
why, tdT3ner-a man, of course I"
The unfortunate official tried to explain, and
the other gentlemen assisted him, each assur-
ing her that doubtless somebody might be
| found 10 fill the bill but as no one offered
himself for the vacancy, Polly, not at all APP
peased, went off, leaving her Farmer and loaf
VI bAOahi but iiot ibt BtbtluB tlt crisp Dlll
In that dark hour of disappointment it was
source of comfort TO her, and kept her from
utter despair as she unhitched her horse and
drove home single and alone.
| At first she thought she would hunt up Mrs.
Volney and speak her mind TO her, but the
ride home, and the soothing purr Of the old
cat, who lay in the no longer tabooed arm
chair, ealmed Polly, and sober second thought
prevailed.
She did her own fall blowing it kept her
at home three weeks, and when next she met
Mrs. Nolney, who had heard of her disap-
| pointment through the superintendent. neith-
or of them made any reference to the Kansas
| Farmer
| But as the Farmer came TO her regularly she
| gradually learned to look for it, and felt new
importance in calling for mail at the post Of
fee. From reading current prices, weather
notes aud prospects of crops, she began to
care for other things so that at the next fair
| she presented herself at the Office with an
other loaf, and TO the smiling superintendent's
Miss Gordon, if you get the blue ribbon,
remember il is only the Weekly Kansas Farm
| er for one year from date that we can give
| you," was able TO answer with a return smile,
II don't want any other. This ia the best for
me-"
| At Mrs Volney's, however, the inquiry is
made weekly, HAS 'Polly's educator come
yet2" and it always creates ripple of laugh
ter among the young fOlks.-SundGy Repub-
Rcdn.