Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-03
POLLY.

vacation with Aunt Mary in the country.
She wouldhave been perfectly happy
but that her father and mother were
obliged to remain in the city. It 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 back
ward and forward, watching Aunt Mary
as she drove off on visit to a sick neigh
Dor. Yhe birds were singing. bees were
humming, and the slender branches of
the great green willows that shaded 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 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 bend in the road, she heard
the crunching of wheels in the opposite
direction, and, on looking up, found it
was another wagon, driven by Mr.. Ward,
the grocer and postman of Willow Grove.
He checked his horse at the gate. and
began fumbling slowly in his coat pocket
for something.
After considerable searching, he drew
out white envelope, and, turning it
first one way and then the other, shook
his head, and began feeling in his pock-
cts 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 mis- glasses severe.
ly at Polly, and asked sharply, "Who's
Miss Polly Gardner? Do you know,
little girl?"
"Oh, that's me !" cried Polly, jump
ing from the horseback, "and Mrs.
Mary West is aunty. Please give me
my letter. It is from mamma. am so
gladp
"Can you read ?' asked Mr.. Ward, he
still holding the letter far above Polly's
reach.
eyes, of course I can," cried Polly,
Indignantly. 81 am 9 years old next
week."
swell, well, Miss Polly Gardner,
here's your letter. But if your mar
hadn't put In haste on the outside of
1T you would have had to come and fetch
it yourself" said Nh. Ward, as he hand
ed the letter down to Polly.
"Thank you ever so MUCH" said
Polly, tearing her letter open nervously.
After reading it once she said, son |" in
a delighted voice.
Nothing the matter ?" inquired MIR.
Ward, who still sat looking at Polly.
"No; but mother and father are
coming to-day, if this is the oath of
August"
eyes, it's the Oath 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 IL aloud slowly:
DEAREST Polly: Papa finds he can leave
his business for short time, so we have con-
cluded to spend the remainder of your vacation
with you and Aunt Mary We will take the
train that reaches Willow Grove at 4:3O p. m,
on the Oath. Tell Aunt Mary to meet us if she
has the time.
"Loye to all, and thousand kisses from
''MAMMA AND PAPA"
Well, said Mr. Ward, as he gave
Polly back her letter, "they'n be here
In about half hour, for it's almost 4
now. I 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 be-
fore o'clock, Polly determined to walk
down to the railroad station and meet
her father and mother alone. She had
often been there with Aunt Mary to
watch the trains come and 90. It was