The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-03

Nita," REMARKED as 1 sat down, "it is
butte 30.'
Really" she said, 81 did not know
it was SO early, but i like to rise early
and see the sun come creeping up. 1t
was beautiful this morning, yet it is
nothing like Southern sunrise"
HHave you been in the South?" |
asked in some curiosity.
"a "0h yes,pr she replied. "Last year
papa and I'were in Florida and Alabam-
ian several months"
EDO you like to study" l next asked.
"Well, not too much, she said laugh
ingly, "but promised papa l would
study hard, and / never break my prom
ise." As she said this she drew her
lips ina firm line, and / felt that she was
one on whom one could depend. Sum
day afternoon we walked to the Congre-
gational church not far distant. Mia
walked on my left, Fred on my right.
Fred and | were good friends by this
time. Mia was very quiet and demure,
she would not allow me to draw her into
conversation. She looked remarkably
handsome in a black silk dress, and
scarlet rose among the folds of lace at
her throat. The following day Mrs. Do
iange and | were having little chat by
ourselves. In speaking of the scholars,
she remarked, that those competing for
the prize were most amiable to each
other, whereas, it usually caused bitter
feeling. "Who are they?" l questioned.
"Oh, Bland Marvin, Lucy Harris, Fred
Murray, and Juanita Appleton. "And
who do you suppose will get il? '
"Oh, either Fred or Juanita. They are
such good scholars. Juanita is very pc
culiar, but very Industrious. And so |
knew why poor Fred's boquet had re-
ceived such rough treatment. 1t was
two days afterward, Miss Winchester
was sitting upstairs in her rnoua sorting
some of the scholars painting. \ Whit
of wind carried one ont of her hand, into
the branches of the old oak. Near by,
Juanita sat beneath the tree with book,
and saw the accident. Before the teacher
could say a word she was up the tree, like
a wild animal, and had secured the
painting. Miss Winchester gave a cry
OF horror when she saw her climb; but
when she saw her making her way down
with the agility OF cat, she laughed at
her fears. All of sudden there was a
creaking sound; then crash, cry OF
horror, and the noise OF a falling limb.
When we looked out, Juanita was lying
on the ground white and still, with
heavy branch on her breast. 1t was but
the work of moment to run down
stairs and call help. 1t was a never-to-
be-forgotten scene. The terrified chill
dren and agonized teachers They car
ried her quiet form to her room and
placed her on the little white bed. A
doctor was summoned, but no avail
"She may become conscious" he said,
"but she viii not live many hours"
was one of the watchers in that silent
room, and saw her draw her last breath.
She became conscious about thirty min
utes before she died. Her face changed
terribly. She tried to talk, but was un-
APPLE to do so, so she died-with her hand
in mine in the dreary hours of the night.
There is little more for me to say. Her
father was summoned and took her body
to her old home, where she was inferred.
We did not go to the funeral, but took
my last look at her before the coffin lid
was screwed down. The face was quiet
and peaceful. But / have never found
one yet who could take the place in my
heart of my little Bohemian girl.