The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-31
No. 77--0NLY A GIRL.
How Katinka Demonstrated the Su-
periOrity of Her Sex.
by Mary Densel.l

They lived with their grandmother did John
and Katinka, in the old yellow house by the
river. There was plenty of room in the house,
in spite of its being only one story high. For
the milk-room opened out of the kitchen,
the sink-room" was between the pantry and
the "pump-room,' which in turn led into the
seed-chamber," and was connected by an arch
with the meal-closet" and "store-room," the
latter being next the barn. where lived Peter,
the fifteen year-old " colt"
The small garden lay in the rear. The gar
den was the principal spot after all. for by
means of that John intended to earn his living.
He gloried in being boy, and able to support
himself.
To be sure, grandma made his clothes. and
Katinka knit and darned his stockings; but
John did not take that into account. He
thought no more of paying Katinka for her
labor in the mending line than he did of re-
warding her when she helped TO weed the
garden. What were girls made for, unless to
help?
| So twelve-year-old Katinka worked cheer
fully by his side, carried water when the
weather was dry" rose at 4 o'clock a. IN. to
| pounce on potato-bugs at their morning revels,
or made herself into a scarecrow and stood half
the day waving her arms and shouting at the
crows when the corn was planted. But it was
clearly understood that John raised the vege-
tables, especially the cabbages
| Which will sell at three cents a head,
Katinka tink-tink. Then I'll have enough
money to buy Harp of Judah, and go to sing
ing-school," announced John, who was four
! teen years old, and learning to sing nerve
shattering part called-by himself-bdss.
! Katinka's eyes shone.
II wisht l could go to singing-school, too"
said she.
$50 you might, if you were boy and could
earn the money, answered John, loftily.
There's a caterpillar! Go for him Katinka-
| tink- tink ~
So Katinka "went for +" the worm then ran
for hoe, atterward fetched the waterproof, and
| finally, there being no more odd jobs on hand
for this particular lord of creation, she was
graciously permitted to attend to her own small
plat of ground, at the contents of which John
smiled scornfully.
There were bachelors buttons, bouncing
Bets, holiy-hocks, thrift-fowers, blue "baby's
breaths," and three great sunfowers
"Trash!" John called them, to Katinka's
anguish, for though she was aware that
| squashes and beans were vastly superior, yet
she was very fond of her silly flowers. She
even wondered If she might not beg John to
carry a few of them to the city, and try to sell
them with his vegetables. Then she might,
! perhaps join forces with Sally Lowder, each
paying half for Harp of Judah, from which
I they could MARBLE in company. But Katinka
| hardly hardly dared to proffer this request
when Johns vegetables We're ready for sale.
L IL.
Three cents head, and there are as many
as thirty of them," said John, one evening,
rubbing his cheek, and gazing out of the win
| dow. Tomorrow I'll harness up and take
them TO town.
Now the reason John rubbed his cheek was
that for two whole days it had panied him,
and tonight there was red place putting out
behind his left ear. The next morning there
was a swelling behind the other ear, and he
| had double chin fit for an alderman.
"Johu," said his grandmother, cit is the
humps"
1t was indeed, and fiercer boy than Master
| John you never saw, for "mumps' being catch
ing" he could by no means go into town and
| spread the disease as he sold his cabbages.
'All | can do is to stand here and see them
/ burst open at three cents pop said he, Bit
/ terly.
Katinka's heart was full of sympathy, but
| what could she do-being only girl-except
make poultces for the swollen face, and fly
out into the garden every five minutes to see
| if the cabbage over yonder" had burst yet or
| to scare away the blackbirds which were hold
ing high carnival, and jeering in their thievish
| hearts at the distorted face in the window?
The following day the mumps were even
worse, and four cabbages blew open The
waves of misery babe fair to swamp both John
and his tender little sister, until suddenly ka-
| tinka rose to the surface, and, .'Pm going to
Market" quoth She
You may be sure there was a sensation at
these words. Grandma held up both hands in
| horror.
"Pho," said John. And he meant "phoi"
He meant it in the broadcast sense of the word
You're only girl. What can a girl do, I'd
| like to know"
"You shall know" declared Katinka stoutly.
Grandma please don't say no."
Now grandma never did say mo" to Ka-
tinka. Perhaps it would often have been
wiser to do so but history must speak the
truth and the fact is she dropped her hands as
Katinka explained her plans.
And | must go this very day, grandma"
ended Katinka," for by next week / shall be
down with the mumps myself"
Besides that the cabbages will be ruined
added John.
"The little birds fly about the city unframed.
| Who would modest dear little Katinka?"
So reasoned gentle, unworldly grandma.
John still scotfed, but perhaps for that very
reason katinka cut the cabbages with firMer
hand. She gathered the string beans, some
! pease, few radishes, and even went SO far as
to dig some early potatoes. Then she marched
| to the barn to interview Peter.
Now Peter had opinions. Alas. some of
these ran in the same groove with his young
masters.
"a girl put on my bride! Perish the
thought"
!
it SO high that Katinka reached upward in
vain.
absurd little mink !" said Peter, commun-
ing with himself.
But suddenly Peter found himself tied to
post; there was barrel at his side; there was
a scramble aud a fiutter of petticoats Before
he could collect his. senses Peters eyes were
fenced in by blinders the bit was between his
astonished teeth, the wagon shafts were clasp
| ing his sides.
"Well see who can manage you, sir !" re-
marked Katinka.
1t took only moment for the little maid to
don her cape bonnet, and to tuck the vegetables
into the wagon. Then she mounted the seat
and was off and away.
Off and away at a brealneck pace, for Peter
had bided his time. Conquered by girl? Not
he. With tug and strain he ran up the first
quarter of mile His breath came hard. The
next and his run had become gallop. Two
thirds of the way, and the gallop was mild
trot. His bit was covered with foam. The top
was reached. Peter dragged his legs YEARLY,
then stopped short
"Har' said Peter, "times have changed"
Ho !" said Peter, in these days girls have
queer ways of their own" Hi! !" said Peter
"let's be respectable"
Katinka had never dreamed there would
be so many wagons at the market place. Her
heart failed her. Who would notice so small a