Connecticut western news., 1882-11-15

Bessie Bessie P called Mrs. Lane from the foot of the rough, unpainted stairway.
 ssYes, mother, am just coming" re- piled a cheerful voice from the room above.
 Now Bessie was usually up betimes to help get breakfast, and to dress the baby. But when a girl of thirteen walks five miles carrying pretty big basket of eggs in one day, she naturally feels like sleep ing an extra half-hour the next morning. 'sWhat is it, mother, dear?" asked Bessie, as she hastened into the kitchen on coming down stairs. Anything the matter ?'' For her mother was standing by the pantry door with pan full ot flour in her hands, and a perplexed ex- pression on her face.
 ssWhen did Aunt Susan say she should be here ?" asked Mrs. Lane, looking al Bessie, but still making no movement to- ward the kitchen table, where the bre ad tray and kneading- board stood ready fol use
 Bessie wondered what in the world hel mother could be thinking about. "DC you mean in the letter that came Satur day night? ?' she asked. ''I think aunty said she hoped to see us about the 20tl of October"
 ..And now it is-Bessie, what day O the month IS it ?"
 ..The 5th, mother, I am sure, because Farmer Ray -"
 ssThen we must have corn bread fo breakfast, not biscuit. And Mrs. Lan' turned quickly into the pantry, emptieC the flour back into the half-flled bucket and presently brought out some yellov corn meal.
 Bessie Lane was more mature thai most girls of thirteen. Her home sur roundings had made her thoughtful beyond her years. She was but a bab. when her parents settled on the rougl land in Western Kansas, and now ther were five children younger; wild mischief loving Bert, gentle Amy, Edwin sober little man of seven, Willie onl.. four, and Baby Sue, the pet of tn family.
 Many Kansas farmers were in sor trouble, Bessie's father among the mum Der. The terrible drought of the summe had cut off most of his crops. There wa little harvesting to be done. The grass which shrivelled up in midsummer, lei little winter food for cattle. Provision were exorbitantly high, and none scarce.
 MT. Lane lost all courage, and gloomil brooded over impending struggles. l vain his wife thrusting back her oW fears, strove to cheer him. He could St no hope in the future.
 Bessie and her mother sat late by u kitchen fire that night, after the rest the family were in bed, consultir together.
 "I want everything pleasant f. Suran, said Mrs. Lane, when at leng she told Bessie they must both go to be "She hasn't been here for eight year and I don't want her to find us unhappy
 'No, indeed p said Bessie. "Isn't good that We have got into our he house? l am so glad father began build 1t last year. To be sure 1t is not { finished, but it is clean and comfortable
 "And If we can only make your fath feel more hopeful, we shall all be Ina pier,'' said Mrs. Lane.
 
 "We will try, mother" said Bessi "What was it about the flour this nor ing?" she added, after little pause.
 tWe have only little flour. Y know father has but few bushels wheat, and I don't know when he w get that ground. We must have flo when Susan is here, so we must be spi ing of it now"
 Had anybody peeped into Bessi room long after midnight, they wor have seen by the moonlight very wiC awake girl. Bessie was thinking h. she could earn money
 Here's letter for you, Mary" s, MT. Lane several days afterward, as came into dinner Farmer Ray broua it when he came to see about Brindle. 3
 :. But he isn't going to take her nov shouted Bert he's going to send le