The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1884-12-13
A BRAVE GIRL.
BY FLORENCE y. HALLOWELL.

"Now, mind you don't leave the
house, Jenny, even for minute. "-''No,
ma am. "-''And keep the blinds all
closed, and have supper ready for us.
There's some Clipped beef in the pantry,
and YOU can cut off the rest Of that cold
turkey. Skim that pan Of milk | put in
the cellar this morning, and make some
dry toast from that stale loaf in the bread
box. And don't let the fire go out. Wen
be back by six.
yes ma am, said Jennie, and handed
her mistress her parasol, and watched her
with longing eyes as she climbed up into
the spring wagon and seated herself by
her husbands side on the front seat On
the back seat sat old Mr. May, Mrs. Den
ning's uncle, and little Agnes, the only
child of the house. seems to me you
left a good many directions, niece, said
the old gentleman, as the horse, obedient
to touch of the whip, started off on a
brisk trOt. THAT child must be smarter
than she looks
''Pvetrained her pretty well, answered
Mrs. Denninc. land She knows well
enough what there is to do. do you
think it safe to leave her alone all day ?"
said Mr.. May.-'Oh, yes; we often do
so. She has Towser. and he is so fierce
that stronger can't get within ttty
yards of the house. There's no danger
as long as he is around
you got the child from the poor house
/ think you said 7"-"Yes; she was only
two years old, and dreadfully stupid
OF course she wasn't of much use for a
year or so, but I've taught her to work
and reckon she earns her bread and but
ter. if nothing else.
''Do you send her to school at all III
Il let her go three months of every
winter. can't spare her for a longer
time. I don't think it necessary for her
TO have much of an education, anyhow,
for she will never be anything better
than a servant but she can read and
write better than / can, mamma, said
Agnes. ooh, if uncle would only let
her go to school with me. WHAT an
idea, Agnes" said Mrs. Dennilg. "1our
uncle has something better TO do with his
money than to use it in educating q
charity child. Don't talk nonsense"
Then she changed the subject, and the
conversation soon drifted very far away
from poor little Jenny.
Mr.. May, who was visiting his niece
for the first time, had taken great fancy
to Agnes, and had offered to send her to
good school at his expense, where she
could receive advantages her parents
found it out Of their power to give her,
for they were poor and lived on small
farm. The only school Agnes had ever
attended was the one taught in the dis
trict school house by youth eighteen
wears Of age She was delighted at the
idea of going away. She was eager to
learn, and the prospect of being out of
the reach of her mothers frequent Tepri
mands was very pleasant. Mrs. Denning
was the unfortunate posSessor of an I'M
goyernable temper, and the members Of
her small household suffered in conse
uuence But on poor little, overworked
JENNY her wrath fell more frequently
than on anyone else; and many night
did the child sob herself to sleep in her
little attic room, and wish herself back In
the poor house. She was more unhappy
than ever now that Agnes was going
away, for they were firm friends.
IF you were only going too, Jenny,
Agnes said sorrowfully; and Jenny echoed
the wish, Tor she had keen thirst for
knowledge and read everything that
came in her way. There were tears in
her big blue eyes as she stood in the door.
way this autumn morning and watched
the springwagon and its load disappear in
the dust of the country road Mr. May
had invited his niece and her husband
and Agnes to 60 to an exhibition of cir.
ems in a neighboring town. He had sug-
gested that Jenny should g, too, for he
was a kind-hearted old gentleman, and
liked to give pleasure, but MIS- Dennlng