The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-07
Fortunes Smiles and Frowns.

Mrs. Briggs has made n mistake.
Sfo owned as much. herself. And q
mistake must be very patent. indeed,
before Mrs. Briggs would own to it.
For she was one of those higll-nosctl,
domin cring females who pretend to an
almost supcrhuman foresight, and bc-
licvo that they can read character rs il
it were an open book.
IL never was SO disappointed in a
girl in my lifc,' said Mrs. Briggs. ="
Thought sho had some grit about her.
But, there! ! m ght as well have an
old dish-rag in my kitchen US Meta
Milton!'
Meta herself if the truth were to be
told. was equally disillusioni7ed. She
had fancicd that life in the country was
all roses, ncw-mown hay and nj ghtn-
gales; and whom il came to getting up
before daybreak. churning BY the half
hour in Il bluc-mold- smelling cellar,
scrubbing kitchen floors and baking
hot-cakcs for tableful of sh.rt-sleevcd
farm hands. she was completely taken
aback.
There werc no lanes whcrein to lin.
ger at dusk (Mr. Briggs was great
deal too careful of his land to let any
part OF 1t run to wastc), no picturesque
old well-swccps or ivy-clad ruins.
Cabbagcs grew in rows; onion
patches flung their purfume on the ar,
and directly in front Of the main door
there was q field of monstrous tobacco
leaves.
"And ct you've got any time to
spare" said Mr.. Briggs. you'd bott.r
lay it out in p:ckin' them plsguy big
worms off the terbacker, instead o
cuttin' round the country artcr Wild
hOwers!'
Meta had been q shop girl in q
Bridgeport store before she came to her
Cousin Briggs. Her health had failed;
the doctor had advised country air,
new milk and change of scene.
Mrs. Sriggs on being written to, had
spend the summer there.
"She must be poor cretur, indeed,
II she can't earn her board and little
more into the bargain" said Mrs.
Briggs. who was ono of those gripping,
grinding taskmistresses who think Of
trade and profit alone
But Meta had not passed triumph
antly through the ordeal. Perhaps She
had not fully regained her strength.
Perhaps she had become discouraged
with the endless tread mill of work
which Mrs. Briggs provided for her.
She was pale, pretty girl, with fair
hair, large. sorrowful blue eyes. and
color that camo and went with Il. l.ckcr.
ing brilliance.
::And it's my opinion" said Mrs.
Briggs. who was in the habit of flying
around the house with her head tied
up in cotton pockct-handkerchicf.
''that she spends deal too much time
a.fixin' up and and prinkin' before the
glass-white lace at her neck every
day and q ribbon bow and wh.to
aprons Of an afternoon. Checked
gingham is good enough for me, and it
ought to be for hertz
At the end Of tho first month, Mrs.
Briggs told Meta. with engaging frank
ness, that she had not proved equal TO
the emergency.
II guess We don't want you hero no
more." said Mrs. Briggs. "You amt
got no more strength than rabbit,
and, anyway. there ain t no calculation
about you. You may do very we'll rs
O store-girl, but you won't never earn
your bread at general housework.
Meta sighed.
..!'ut what am I to dop" said she.
''Whcre am to go?"
That's your affair."" said Mrs.
Briggs.
And then she went to tako her broad
out of the oven.
John Perkins, tho nephew of tho old
deacon who lived in the brick house on
the hill, aud had more money than tho
bcst arithmctician in Yellow Plains
could count, came tho next day to drive
Meta and her poor little trunk to tho
stage station.
John had seen Meta at church. He
had stood beside her more than once
ut singing-school; and one night, when
tho cattle were obstreperous, ho had
come 70 the 70 cue, and helped Meta
drive them home.
So: when Farmor Briggs sent over
word that his horse was lame, and
asked for tho loan of Deacon Perkins
roam cob to carry Meta Milton to tho
station. John himself had volunteered
to act as chariotcer.
Going away. hoyp" said John, when
thoy had ridden a short distance in ST.
lanco.
'Ycs," said Meta, sadly. II am 60
ing away"
''Didn't like tho folks?" said John.
Il trod to like them" sold Mete;
,,o nu' %ts. %ta S..ggs . WAS not, no. suited with