The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-07-27
BRINGING HOME The Cows.

We'll, Bessie, the new teacher is 60
ing to board with us this summer, said
Farmer Mapleton, as he listed two
Drumming pals of milk and set them
on the kitchen table. Il saw him down
at Shelby this afternoon, and he en-
gagged board at So week. He seemed
awful anxious about the family, some
how"
"Why so, father?" asked the girl adj
dressed as Bessie, deity slipping the
shining pans from her arm into a row
alongside of the milk pals.
"Oh, he wanted to know how many
there were in the family; and, when L
told him only myself and wife and one
little girl, he put on a mighty satisfied
look, and asked if the little girl was old
enough to go to school.
And what did you tell him?' again
queried the damsel, with an amused
look, as she lifted one of the pals and
poured the rich, foamy fluid slowly into
the huge strainer.
ooh, yes, l said, she is old enough to
go TO school, but l don't think we shall
send her this summer, rs her mother
prefers to teach her at home"
A clear, ringing, silvery laugh fol-
lowed this speech, and Bessie took up
the empty pals and strainer and went
out to the kitchen pump.
Bessie Mapleton, Mr. Mapletons'lit-
tie girl, 81 he always called her, was in
reality magnificent specimen of wom-
ankind. She was fully five feet eight
inches in height, with massive shout
ders, beautifully-rounded bust, shapely
arms and hands and well-turned foot.
She had also splendid head of wavy,
red-brown hair, matched by pair of
glorious eyes. With these, clear,
creamy complexion, deepening on the
cheeks to pale rose, full, red lips, and
rounded, dimpled chin, combined to
form very pleasing exterior
In point of intelligence Miss Maple
ton was far above the ordinary 18-year-
old country girl. She had graduated
with signal honors at ladies' board
ing school, and had now come home, as
she said, to add to her other accom-
plishments a good stock of common
sense. AS her mother CHANGED to be
without domestic she, of her own &C
cord, proposed to take that share of
the labor usually performed by the
hired girl, and thus learn the mysteries
of housekeeping.
She had proved herself an apt pupil,
and, after six months apprenticeship.
Mrs. Mapleton, who rather prided her
self on her excellent housekeeping
abilities, decided that Bessie could do
almost as well as she could herself
Now, Mr.. Mapleton had not meant to
deceive Edgar Pierpont when he spoke
of his little girl. He had fallen into q
habit of calling her 80 in her early
girlhood before she had developed into
her present grand proportions, and he
still kept it up. There is no DENYING
the fact that he was somewhat proud of
her magnificent form and comely
features, and, when he saw how quickly
the young schoolmaster snapped up the
unintentional bait, he was fain to let
thenmatter pass without further com
melt, and let the truth flash upon him
from Bessie's bright, bewildering eyes.
"a will bring up the COWS tonight,
father" said Bessie as she rose from
the supper table the night Mr. Pier
pont was expected to put in his appear
ance.
Il don't think you'd better, Bess. >"
said Mr.. Mapleton, teasingly. THAT
young schoolmaster might come while
you're gone You'd be rather ashamed
to be caught driving UP the cows,
wouldn't you?'
"Not bit of it, father" and Selling
her sunbonnet she rangayly out through
the open gate and down the lane, send
ing back clear, ripping stream of
song which fairly made the old orchard
ring with it's melody.
Now, whatever was Bessie Mapleton's
object in going after those COWS this
particular evening, perhaps no one but
herself will ever know. 1t might be
that, knowing the half-mile walk would
brighten her eyes and deepen the color
in her cheeks, she desired to avail her
self of its advantages, as she was one of
the few women who have q real con-
tempt for all the so-called cosmetics of
the day. Or it might he that the chord
of romance which vibrated strongly
through her being prompted the act.
Certain il is that she had taken more
than the usual amount, of care with her
toilet, which, though simple and
entirely in keeping with her avocation
as a farmers daughter, was neat and
tasteful. And certain it is, too, that, il
she had the least idea of getting up a
romance on her own private account,
she succeeded beyond her most san
suinc expectations.
She had reached the lower end of the
pasture, and after, as it seemed to her,
avastly unnecessary amount of coaxing,
I'LL 81 81, Oh.
had ut last succeeded in getting the
COWS into line, and fairly on their home
ward way.
She was congratulating herself on
her success, when, prestoi Juno, o
magnificent 4-year-old, dipped hel
horns 20 the ground, and with a sniff
and snort and n sudden lifting of the
heels went cantering away across the
fields, with Brindle and Pink and
Brownie and Blossom rushing pell-mel