The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-02-20
SEA PINKS.

An Episode of Club Day on the isle q
Man.
1t was not every girl who was a
lucky as Lizzie Milrea. Who and wha
was she? just Manx weaver of net,
nothing more.
But ones rank matters not ii onl,
one be the queen amongst ones kin
ship and acquaintance. Lizzie wa!
this. But then the Milreas were {
handsome race; its mon were stalwar
fishers, and its maids and matrons hat
deep blue eyes, aud quaint refine
ment of feature that in some vague
way set them apart from the rougher
looking wives and daughters of fisher
men.
The air of Peel was electric with ex
pectation the morrow was TO be hol
iday. All the shopkeepers were busy
and in every fishers cottage there wa
grand brushing up and arranging o
the mems best clothes clothes which
were worn once a year certainly; per
haps, too, when the men went 10 churcl
or chapel.
Some visitors--there were only few
such folk In the town, for the inroad o
noisy mill-workers had not commenced
were being shown over the larges
net factory in the place. Coming alonI
the knobbly, stony street they had seer
yards-millions OF yards of nets, so i
seemed, being hauled up from carts in
to a high warehouse window, tina
would be for storage or for mending
then they had gone on a few steps far
Their to the factory.
There were the looms, hand-worke6
the best nets are not turned out by
steam-power-rows OF looms with i.
girl to each. Every girl was dressed
in the same way, and her skirt wa
killed high beneath snowy broat
apron; little tartan shawl was pinned
across her shoulders; her feet wer,
bare, and the beat of treadles and tn,
| whirr of wheels and the CHATTER o
cranks went on with buzz and |
burr.
The visitors went along, and looked
and watched. There were the creamy
| even-meshed nets extended on high;
shuttle was sent along bya quick hand
were white as handspring 10 set
low crank-never mind the non-techni
cal word-then feet flew back, and
treadle was set going. So along tn
rows. And one girl was tall aud rud
dy, and another was small and frail
| looking; one was an Amazon, and an
other one--only one-looked worn ant
weary.
Then one was beautiful, undeniabl,
beautiful. This was Lizzie Milrea
Her foot and hand were swift and sure
and what a 1.-the, straight figure tn,
girl had!
1t was at her loom that the stranger
stood the longest, and she il was VIII,
showed all the doings and intricat'
turns of the machinery.
But she was proud. and she turned
hauehtly away rs one fingered benin,
and would have left a gift for TIE net
! makers
~ acre , the sense o yer being S,
ni.n?" aid the girl who we have call
ed the Amazon. Her frame was huge
but she had the soft Manx tongue
It'll be good for the rest of Us, il vel
be above taking it,"
It'll be on that bench, if ye're wish
ing fort Lizzie answered.
She, too, had the soft voice and easi
~ gliding speech OF the island.
A quick glance and quicker dar
from the girl who looked SO weary. an
the coins were taken possession OF.
We'll not have the luck o Lizzie!
came as sharply as the other girl
tones had been soft. '.Eh, Liz. if J.
your luck. I'd have done with this lon
ago."
"Would youP You are not like me.
There was quaint decision in the girl
manner as she still worked on deity
"Eh, I'm matchmaking I'll be sorr
when leave tho factory
That's, likoly"' the other rctorte
:cornfully.
1 BY and by work was done. and tn
sweet. pure evening had set in with tn
breeze blowing freshly in from til
western sea.
Some of the girls sat on the low SCI
wall; only one now had her feet bare
and she was Nan Clucas. the sharp 81,
who was careless of her appearance
careless of most things, in fact. {
course all the rest walked the street
shod, whatever. they might do, for tn
easy performance of their work.
All.the houses along the share-roa
faced the pay except one, and that on
stS1d, ecaI, and with one side set :
the dancing Summer waters. set !
face looking adown the road to til
pier, and harbor, and ruined castle.
A girl came out of this. II was fresl
" white washed. like every Aianx co
tage in Summer time, and the flower
behind its polished windows were Il
finest in the place. To have good llov
ers in ones window is pride OF the,
fisher-people.
"Ehw came in long cry from MAJ
sitting and dangling her feet. ID
and who has he gone walking with II
niehtP Lizzie! Hearken to mel
Lizzie did not hear, but went on b,
errand to cottage, and was back In
few moments.
I'D have more pride than that,
Nan shouted to her.
What will we be sayingp" The gi
came up.
when my man takes another la
out with him, I'll not go to his mot
er's asking for M" cried Nan moe
ingly 80,
'.You dare to say such q word!
Lizzie was proud, and could fire u
Don't answer her" h companio
the Amazon, advised.
THAT will | not
ats well to be grand. Tom Caine
as clancy as the rest, III go with hi
next time he asks me.
"And We may" Lizzie answered.
II she had n fault, and OF course. II
the rest of the world, she did have on
: 1t was that of naughty and pro'
spirit She turned away. saying:
.But never, till see with m ov
ewes, will believe that of Tom.
"Thcn where will be getting the
frompn
And the careless Nan pointed to
|. knot OF sea-pinks she hat contrary
/. her usual custom, set for adornment
! the fastening of her dress. under b
I chin.
Thara ara tin,as vvhen a girls hear,