The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-02-07
CLARA'S WAY;
Or, a Declaration of independence.


Hazelnut Farm was at its prettiest
when Clara Field came to live there.
The old house, with its square, old
fashioned porch, vine-covered gable
ends and newly-painted green blinds,
glimmered white through the emerald
freshness of the maple trees; the grass
was purpled all over with wild violets,
and the dim old woods on the noun
tain side were embroidered with a
thousand flowers. And the pretty
Young bride, standing on the rustic
bridge that spanned the brook, with
tufts of lilies on her breast, looked up
at the rising moon and drew a long
sigh of contentment.
40, John, how beautiful this isl"
she said, softly. "How happy we shall
be. We can walk in the woods and
gather wild flowers and ferns, and we
can row on the river, and have readings
on the lawn, and sketch all these ex-
quisite bits of scenery, and life will be
like beautiful dream"
John Field whistled rather dubi-
ously.
't0f course it will, my DEAR" said he.
"And I'm glad you like the old place.
But l rather think there'll be something
to do besides read and row and sketch.
The next morning, when Clara came
down to breakfast in white bunting
dress, with cherry ribbon bars all over
it, Aunt Keziah looked at her in owl
eyed surprise.
"My DEAR" said she, eff you and
John expect to get on in the world
you'll have to keep earlier hours than
this
"Why, Aunt Keziah, its only seven
clock" said Clara, artlessly glancing
up at the clock.
"Humph" remarked Aunt Keziah
as she placed the broiled ham on the
table, each slice surmounted by the
golden disk of a delicious fried egg.
"John's brother William, lives on the
next farm. and his wife has been uI
since daybresk. I'll go bail"
''Since daybreakP" echoed Clara
'sWby, what can she possibly find Il
busy herself WITH"
''Just exactly what you ought to busy
vourSelf fwith, said Aunt Keziah, taking
pan of buttermilk biscuits out OF the
oven, and filling the crooked handlet
little pitcher with thick, clotted cream
ga farmers wife can't sit down ant
fold her hands, unless she wants Il
ruin her husband outright"
Clara looked piteously at Aunt Kezi
abs inexorable face, but she asked n,
more questions. After breakfast, how
ever. she put on her little gypsy hat
with its dropping brim, and its wreatl
of daisies.
John" she said to her husband, VIII
was busy giving directions to his farm
hands. ''I am going across the mead
ow to see Wills wife"
Johnlooked at his young bride rathe
doubtfully.
.'Are you. pet?" said he. '.Don'
you think it would be good idea T
help Aunt Keziah in the pantry?"
Clara laughed and shook her head.
''She is all tied up in pocket-hand
kerchiefs and bib-aprons, whitewash
ing" said she. ''I can't whitewash.
MY mother always did all the white
washing that was done in the plac
until she died, remarked John.
''What was your father thinking G
that he didn't hire some man to do
for herr" asked Clara, biting her lips
people out this way do their owl
work. observed John Field. a littl
shortly. ''Money doesn't. grow o
every bush like blackberries, and tb
women of Hazelfield are taught to
proud of their industry and thrift"
Clara shrugged her shoulders an
tripped lightly over the dewy meado'
to where the pretty home of her brotl