The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-11-09
A: SISTER WORTH HAVING.

+. ! ,---,-. s~o-
A SISTER WORTH HAVING.
Mrs. W. J. Hays, in Harpers Young People.
1t was a bright, breezy day, clear sum
shine after rain, and every one was full
Of energy. All the pleasure seekers had
gone of, some riding, some driving, aud
several walking parties had been made
up. 81 ..t....
Two boys on the end of the piazza
were discussinga proposed excursion,
while the sister of one, slight, bright
eyed girl of twelve, stood listening to
there plans.
We can 60 and take our luncheon with
US just as well as not" said Tom, the
elder of the two,
''But it will be an awful climb, and you
don't know the path" replied Stanton.
Besides. Cassie can't 60 go far.
"Leave her at home, then; girls are
no good anyway" said Tom, rudy; then
remembering himself, he added, II beg
your pardon, Miss Cassie, didn't mean
exactly that, but you know girls always
give out on an expedition of this Sort
"Just you try me-" said Cassie, not in
the least put out, for she was accustomed
to boys. -ar F.. Z, T.
"Well," said Tom, reluctantly, 81 sup
pose we must. But you viii be tagged
out in less than no time, and then you'll
want one of us to 90 home with YOU"
':If I do I'll promise not to go again
Ill summer. What are you looking for,
Stanton?" ."' '@,.,-'' =. = = ~
;: 'My3 axe, to blaze the trees; you
don't want to be lost; do your" -
''No. Of course dent. Then you will
take me? Good. III go after the bask-
ct, and nay pressing book for ferns. Shall
I.get anything to read?" ..
mo. Who wants to read in the woods?
There's always lots to do"
Cassie thought differently, and slipped
little thin volume beside the bread and
cake and fruit which the housekeeper
gave her. ~ = 80 .''''''
The boys meanwhile had Whitfield
three fresh sticks, and attached knives
and drinking cups. Their object was to
which had no road through It, and to
reach a mountain-top, the crags oftwhich
had seemed: to look with scorn upon
them all summer -. -. :,5..,.
Tom was very much vexed that Cassie
had heard their desire and shared it.,
and he was not disposed to be Ut all gsl-
liant. Stanton, being fond of his sister,
was more concerned lest she should be,
as he phrased it, tagged out" So for 4
while their walk was silent one.
" Cassie did not care, She was not one
of the pouting sort who shrug their
shoulders and get huffy. She knew she
was strong, and she hadn'ttime 70 waste
on little humors and moods. and then
she had 80 much to do. There was her
collection of butterflies, her pressed
flowers and ferns, her acorn work and
pine cones, frames to make for sketches,
and, besides all this she was crOcheting
Tam .r9 g shan shan s. for the boys: :,
and stone walls. Then they plunged in
to the thicket which was dense and
brambly, and very rough every way.
And now Stanton's axe became Of use.
''For you know we will want to get home
again" he said as he gave q vigorous
cut here and there on each prominent
tree, "and this is the way hunters a.
ways do"
As he spoke he struck, what appeared
to be deayed trunk, when instantly
out flew a swarm of angry bees. A ring
ing laugh from his companions was soon
followed by an ominous silence, for all
found themselves surrounded BY the
disturbed insects. Cassie, thinking dis.
erection the better part of va]0r, hurried
away with her dress over her head, but
the boys had hard fight to get of; as it
was both were stung, and had to apply
mud poultices. This did not increase
their good nature, and the sun was now
adding to their discomfort.
Cassie began q little song, but the way
was SO steep, and the rocks 80 precipitous
and slippery with pine-ncedles and moss.
that her notes died away for. want OF
breath. She was getting very tired.
when Stanton complained OF hunger,
and Tom espied brook; 90 they all
concluded to make halt, and refresh
themselves. After the rest and luncheon
with many a draught of the delicious
spring water, on they again tOiled; and
now they seemed to have overcome the
worst troubles of the way The under.
growth which had been 30 dense de.
creased; broad patches of huckleberry
bushes offered their fruit; velvety moses
and nOdding ferns made the way beauti.
full; and here and there through the
trees came Rlimpses Of the mountains
stretching away in the blue distance
On the top OF the crags which lay before
them was an old lrafless, tree which had
been scathed by lighting. Up this the
boys proposed to climb, and fasten = it,
tie flag they had with them; 90, hurry
ing on, they left Cassie to more slowly
overtake them iii! - -'.t:''< '.,}'
The spot was 90 pretty that Cassie ling.
cred, picking leaf here and there, and
listening to the soft Whisper the breeze
Suddenly crash - of q falling boueh ar.
| rested her attention: then a cry Of alarm
succeeded; by - sudden silence. sHur.
rying forward, she found Tom bending
F! over Stanton, who was lying: al in q
1 heap ut the foot Of the tree. =! :eii:g II
@@".What- is it-a fall? Is he dead"2 she
!: Tom; turned his white face to her, ut.
"Get watef:qiu1ick! But oh. lool
here!l-he il bleeding!@he is cut!" =" !
:eYes, hc;fell with the axe I'm his hand
, The limb must have been rotten; It gave
way, y said; Tom at last!i III 90. III
- But he; will bleed 70 death, don't YOU
see? What can, We dor ~. Is 80
! What indeed?'' muttered. Tom, still
!, with . dazed look in his eyes. s.g,t'5tlsf-
| The blood, warm and Of q bright red
:! gushing from the, hand. It hooked % i
an artery had been severed. Cassie's
/ heart sank as she saw Stanton white and