Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-11-02

ing farmer; her old loves were forgotten in
the fervor Of the new hope, and 80 many times
was her pet cat driven of the newly covered
cushion in the big rocking chair that she grew
anxious, gray and thin.
She also bought fifteen yards of alpaca at
bargain, and, going over to Mrs. Volney's with
unwonted bashfulness, asked for polonaise
and overskirt patterns.
81 shall want one suit just right if should
git farmerp she explained to the uncom-
pretending Mrs. Volney, "and thought I'd go
to the whole figure for this onct"
1.-The very idea of having newspaper is an
educator; this premium offered may be the
entering wedge that shall break up Poily's
ignorance, and let flood Of light upon her
SOU, +" Mrs. Yolney said to her daughter, after
Polly had gone with the patterns and full in
struotions how to use them to which she had
listened as attentiyely as any dsvotee of fash
ion.
She "sst' four "sponges" for her prize loaf,
and made two loayes from each "settin," and,
at the appointed day, arrayed in her most ex-
traordinary dress, polonaise, overskirt and
trimmed skirt with three carefully-selected
loaves she fastened to the fair While ticket
ing them she anxiously asked the polite Of
fetal:
"Will git the farmer and So to onct if I
draw the first premium?"
"Without the slightest doubt, madam: I
have the premiums here on hand to be given
as soon as called for"
POllY GaGeu earnestly at tl6 men VINO were
in the office, feeling that if her farmer" was
as anxious to his fate as she was in regard to
him, his looks would beray him. But she
might IS well have studied the Sphinx as their
faces, so she followed her loaves, and when
once in place, lowering round them as a hen
near her brood, listening to every word said,
as if from the general public opinion she
might get clue to her fate.
She passed a sleepless night, and next day,
with carefully curried horse and newly washed
buggy and herself in her best array, she drove
III.
At noon the committee came, smelled,
| tasted and discussed, while she suffered ago
MES. 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 she
costed the same suave official, who wondered
| at her breathless excitement as she held the
| loaf up, and said:
'.Are both your prizes here"
Eyes, madam"
| "Do you see that blue ribbon? 1want my
So and my farmer"
Here they are," and he extended the bill
and copy of the Farmer "When would
! you like to begin with the Farmer, MADAME"
Pm ready; for come prepared to take
him home. Which one is it!' and she looked
inquiringly at group Of gentlemen who, no
| ticlng her excited manner as she came in, had
stopped their conversation and were observing
! her.
'sThis is it," said the superintendent, put
| ting it in her hand; date of Sept 8, IS"
"Why, this is newfpaper-I want my
farmer"
'sWell, see, the Kansas Farmer" and he dis
played the title-psge.
WAS that what you meant by the farmer
you was goin' to:give for the best loaf o yeast
| light bread?"
yes, madame. Oh, not one copy, certainly,
but years subscription" he added. hastily,
| think he had discovered the cause of her
| trouble.
s'That paperp she answered with the utmost
| scorn, as she shifted with her upturned, freck-
eled nose. ssIs this the underhand way you
take to deceive q lone woman like myself? !
, with I had words to speak out my mind
to you and tell you just what think about
itl'
on the premium list''
"Why farmer-a man Of course!'
The unfortunate official tried to explain, and
| the other gentleman assisted him, each assur-
ing her that doubtless somebody might be
found to fill the BILL but as no one offered him
self for the vacancy Polly, not at all appeasei,
| went off, leaving the Farmer and loaf of bread,
but she did not forget the crispy So bill In
that dark hour Of disappointment it was a
source of comfort to her, and kept her from
utter despair as she hltched 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
homo and the soothing purr of the old cat,
which Law in the no longer tabooed armchair,
calmed Polly, and sober second thought pre-
vailed.
She did her own fall blowing; it kept her at
| home three weeks, and when next she met Mrs.
Volney, who had heard of her disappointment
through the superintendent. neither 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 a
new Importance to have some mail for her at
the postofice. From recalling current prices
weather notes and prospects of crops, she be-
gan to care for other things; that by the
next fair she presented herself at the office
with another loaf, and to the smiling Super
intendenfs "Miss Gordon, if You get the blue
ribbon, remember it is only the Weekly Kan
sas Farmer for one year from date we can give
you," she was able to reply with return
smile.
81 don't want any other This is the best
kind for me-"
However, is in Mrs Volney's honse, the in
quirv is made weekly. HAS Polly's educator
come YETI" and it always creates ripple Of
Laughter among the young folks.