The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-17

We must De silent, ana glaQly learn.
No room for reckleSsness or abuse,
Since even burdock has its use.
Polly Gardner and the Draw-Bridge.
Julia X. Hildrethin Harper's Young People.l
Polly Gardner had been spending her va
cation with Aunt Mary in the country
She 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 forward, watching Aunt Mary as she
drove off on a visit to a sick neighbor.
Birds we're singing, bees were humming. and
the slender branches of the great gray
green willows that Swallowed the road NOV
ed 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 direc-
ton, and, on loo king up, found it was anoth-
er wagon, driven by Mr.. Ward, the grocer
and postman of Willow Grove. He check
ed his horse at the gate, and began fumb-
ling slowly in his coat-pocket for some
thing.
After considerable searching, he drew out
a white envelope, and turned 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 exam
lining the letter. 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 Gardner2 Do you know, little girl2r
''Oh, thst's mer' cried Polly, jumping
from the horseback, "and Mrs. Mary
West is aunty. Please give me my letter.
It's from mamma. / am so gladP'
''Can you read2" asked Mr.. Ward, still
holding the letter far above Polly's reach.
"Yes, of course" cried Polly, indignant
". "I'm nine years old next week"
"Wery well, 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 it yourself,
said Mr.. Ward, as he handed the letter
down to Polly.
"Thank you ever so much" said Polly,
tearing her letter open nervously. After
reading 1t once, she said ''Ohl" in de-
lighted voice.
Nothing the matter?" inquired Mr.
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 is the oath. But let's see your let
ter. 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 for short tims, so we
have concluded to spend the remainder of
your vacation with you and Aunt Mary.
We shall take the train and reach Willow
Grove at 4:30 p. N. on the oath. Tell Aunt
Mary to meet US if she has time.
glove to all and q thousand kisses from
"'MAMMA AND PAPA
"Well," said Mr.. Ward, as he gave Polly
back he letter, "they'll be here in about a
half-hour, for it is almost now. l guess
I'll be moving; it's time 1 was back to the
store" So he chirped to his horse, turned
the wagon, and was soon out of sight.
As Aunt Mary would not
return before o'clock. Pol
ly 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 60. 1t
was small station, and very few people
stopped there.
Just before reaching the station the rail-
road rossed draw-bridge. Polly liked to
watch the man open and shut the draw as
the boats in the river passed through
There was foot-path over this bridge, and
Polly had once crossed 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 beauti-
full white lilies In pond not far away
That was more than a week ago, and the
flowers were not then open, and now as Pol
ly ran down the road she thought she would
have time to gather some for her parents be
fore 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 4, SC
she had just twenty minutes to wait. Then
she ran on quickly.
The fagman stood by thedraw, and Polly
saw, some distance down the river, small
vessel coming toward the bridge. She ran
along rapidly, and as she passed che hsgman
he called out:
@Going for the lilies? The POND was all
white with them when went by this morn
ing"
"Yes, sir; | want to pick scme for mamma
and papa They wrote me letter ssnd said
they were coming in the next train"
"You don't say sol Well, l guess you re
glad. Look out tor the locomotive, and
don't take too long picking your fower,
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 waterl But their
stems were long and tough, and most of
them grew far beyond her reach. She con-