The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-19

eXtravagant as To want another; ana
she was greatly astOnished st the blush
that crawled up over Polly's freckled
face. and lost itself in the roots Of her
scanty. tightly.drawn. hair, as she hesi-
tatingly went on:
"Well. to tell the truth, I'd like both
mighty well myself; moneys always
handy, and the farmer'd be convenient
in the house and ont Of door, too.
There's some things about farming l
don't know. and, being just alone by
myself, l can't look after everything
and go round, too. and find out about
things. and so get taken in. DO you
s'p0se could have the farmer longer
if it suited all roundr' she asked anx-
iously.
"Of course the publishers would be
glad for you to have it all the rest OF
your life. il you wanted it,"
"Publishers'' was an unmeaning
word to Polly, but she had dim recol-
lection OF hearing in her early youth
about something called publishing
the BANS that was connected with
matrimony; and that Mrs. Volney
spoke Of the farmer" rs 'it'' soothed
her maidcnly modesty, for as said
farmer" was only supposable case.
she could not yet bring herself to the
familiarity of the ''he" and him" the
assured wife of several years gives to
the husband of her youth, as If there
were but one masculine in the world!
Mrs. Volney was delighted that after
all her invectives and declarations.
Polly had become recOnciled to the idea
OF even having paper in her house.
and in trying to steer clear of any dis
cussion. she lead poor Polly further
astray by saying:
''Oh, yes, the Farmer would be so
much help to you about giving the pre-
vailing prices all over the State; in that
way You know when corn, butter. stock
and poultry are advancing. and the best
time 10 sell. Otherwise, we women.
tied to the house. not able TO be out
and learn about things as men do, are
ut the mercy Of spectators. who come
round, and taking advantage Of our ig-
norance. buy our things and take all
the profits themselves"
That's So" said Polly. sadly. Il
sold some of my corn last week cents
on bushel too low"
If you had had the Farmer you
would have known corn was fast ad-
vancing and held on. KNEW it, and so
was saved"
..Do you s'pose if get the premium
I'll have the farmer in time for Fall
plowing?'
Mrs. Volney did not see the connec-
ton. and was greatly puzzled to under,
stand Polly's agitation, but attributed
it TO her embarrassment for this sudden
conversion and confession of faith in
newspapers. and answered.:
''Oh, yes, You will get the money and
Farmer as soon as the fair is over"
There were only TWO weeks till the
fair, and they were very busy ones to
Polly, who cleaned house from garnet
to cellar and made many changes to suit
the tastes of the possible coming farmer;
her old loves were forgotten in the fer
vor of the new hope. and so 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 green
alpaca at Il bargain, and, going over to
Mrs. Nolney's with unwonted bashful-
ness. asked for polonaise and Overskirt
patterns.
IL shall want one suit just right if ]
should get farmerr she explained to
the uncomprehending Mrs. Volney,
..and l thought I'd go to the whole
figure for this onct."
"The very idea of having a newspa-
per is an educator; this premium offered
may be the entering wedge that shall
break up POlly's ignorance. and let a
flood of light on her SOUL" Mrs. Volney
said to her daughter, after Polly had
gone with the patterns and full instruc-
tons how to use them, to which she had
listened as attentively rs any devotee Of
fashion.
She ''Set' four '.sponges" for hel
prize loaf. and made Two lOaves from
each ''settin'," and at the appointed day,
arrayed in her most extraordinary dress,
polOnaise, overskirt and trimmed skirt,
with three carefully selected loaves she
fastened to the fair. While ticketing
them she anxiously asked the polite
official:
"Will 1 git the farmer and s. to onct
if draw first premium?'
without the slightest doubt, madam
l have the premiums here on hand to be
given rs soon as called for"
Polly gazed earnestly at the men who
were in The Office, feeling that if her
farmer was anxious to his fate as she
was in regard to him. his looks would
betray him. But she might rs well have
studied the Sphinx as their faces, so she
followed the leaves, and when once in
place. lowering around them rs q hen
near her brood. listening to every word
said, rs from the general public opinion
she might get clue to her fate.
She passed sleepless night. and next
day, with carcfully-curried horse and
newly-washed buggy, and herself in her
best array. she drove in.
/ At noon the committee came, smellcd
tasted and discussed, while she suffered
agonics, rs if running the gauntlet, bu
| at last the blue ribbon was put on on
of her loaves and the red on another.
| Regardless of the latter, she seize'
the blue ribbon loaf. and hurrying 4
the office. she accosted the same suav
official, who wondered at her breathlcs
excitement as she held the loaf up an
said:
fare both your prizes here?:"
Yes. madam"
"Do You see that blue ribbon? l wan
my 50 and my farmer" =
Here they are" and he extended Tn
bill and copy Of the Farmer. ''Whc
would you like to begin with the Farm
er. madam?'
I'm ready; for ! come prepared I
take him. Which one is it? an
she looked inquiringly at group Z
gentlemen who, noticing her excite
manner rs she came in. had stOppe
their conversation and were Observin
her.
This is it," said the Superintendent
putting il in her hand: "date OF Septen
Der 6. lS-"
why. this is newspaper wal
my farmer"
We'll, see, the Kansas Farmer," an
he displayed the titlc-page.
WAS that what you meant by I'll
farmer you was goin' TO give for tn
best loaf o yeast-light bread?''.
YES. madame. Oh, not one cop.
certainly, but u years subscription" }
added hastily, thinking he had discovc
ed the cause of her trouble.
THAT papcr"' she answered with IL
utmost scOrn, ~ she shifted with her VI
turned. freckled nose. lis this the III
demanded way you take to deceive
lone woman ike myself? / wish
had words to speak out my mind
you and tell you just what thin
about it."
"What did you expect? 1t was
announced on the premium list"
"Why. a farmer--a man, OF course
frko ,,oSo~t,, ~ oto "a; cio1 triad IN a