Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-07
GaIes AND Skettbes.
P0LLY GARDyER AND me DRAW.
BRIDGE.
BIT JULIA X. HILDRETH.


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
horseback idly kicking one foot hack
ward an forward. watching aunt Mary as
she d owe off on visit to sick neighbor.
The birds were singing. bees were hum
ming, 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 over
the hills Polly could hear the ring Of the
mowers scyihes. Everything was so
pleasant and peaceful that she wished her
parents were there to enjoy il with her.
Just rs aunt Mary was hidden from
sight bv bend in The road, she heard the
crunching of wheels in the opposite direc-
ton. and on looking up, found it was an
other wagon. driven by Mr.. Ward. the
grocer and postman Of Willow Grove.
lie checked his horse at the gate. and be-
gan fumbling in his coat pocket for some
Thing.
After considerable searching. he drew
out white envelope. and turning it first
one way and then another. shook his head
and began feeling in his pockets again.
brought forth his spectacles, adjusted
them carefully upon his nose. and once
more began examining his letter. At last
he read in loud voice:
miss Polly Gardner. in care of Mrs.
Mary West" Then he peeped over his
glasses severely at Polly, AMI asked.
sharply. who's Miss Polly Gardner?
Do ymn know, little girl
"Oh, that's me ~ cried Polly. jumping
from the horse block, land Mrs. Mary
West is aunty. Please give me my letter.
1t il from mamma. am so glad ~
"Can you read? '' asked Mr.. Wari. he
still holding the letter far above Polly's
reach.
'Yes, of course / can" cried Polly. j .
dignantly. II am nine years old next
week"
"Well. well. Miss Polly Gardner. here's
your letter. But il Your mar hadn't put
in haste on the outsid.. of it. you would
have had to come and fetch it YOURSELF
said Mr.. Ward, rs he handed the letter
TO Polly.
Thank You ever so much.'' said Polly.
tearing her letter open nervousy. After
reading it over once. she said, "Oh ~ in
delighted voice.
Nothing the matter?' inquired Mr.
Ward. who still sat looking at Polly.
mo: But father and mother are com
ing to-day. il this is the 2ith of August"
Yes, it's the 9th of August. But let's
see your letter, and can tell you what
they mean"
Polly handed her letter back to Mr..
Ward. who read it aloud slowly:
DEAREST PoLLY.-Papa finds he can
leave his business Tor 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 ut 4 so p. NJ, on the 9th 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, rs he gave
Polly back her letter, they'll be here in
about a halt-hour, for it's almost four now.
i guess I'll be moving; it time | was
back TO the store" So he chrped to his
horse. and then turned the wagon, and was
seon 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 mother alone. She had often
been there with auns Mary to watch the
trains come and 90. II was small sta
ton, and very few people stopped there.
just before reaching the station the rail-
road crossed n bridge. Polly liked
to watch the men open and shut the draw
as the boats In the river passed through
There was II foot-path over this bridge,
and Polly had once crossed it with aunt
Mary. They had stopped to speak to the
flagman, who was pleasant and good
natured. lie told Polly where she could
find some beautiful white lilies in n pond
not far away. That was more than
week ago. and the flowers were not then
open. and now as Polly ran down the road,
she thought she would have time to gather
some for her parents before the train ar
rived.
When Polly reached the station she
found no one there. and on looking ut the
clock, saw that it was only ten minutes
past four. so she had twenty minutes to
wait Then she ran on quickly.
The flagman stood by the draw. and
Polly saw, some distance down the river,
a small vessel coming toward the bridge.
She ran along rapidly. and as she passed
the iiagman he called out:
''t;"ing for the pond lilies? The pond
was all white with them when went by
this morning"
lSS. >iE = WIFI w PICK SOIue lot
mamma and papa. They wrote me
letter and they said they were coming in
the next train
..You don't say so, Well. guess
you're glad. Look out for the locomu-
tive, 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 tho lilies looked. with their
snowy cups resting upon the dark water
But their stems were long and touyh and
most of them grew Far beyond her r-rch.
She contrived to secure four. Polly
was sorry 10 leave so many behind. but
was afraid it 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 centre of the
bridge. and called out with smile:
Continued Tomorrow