The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-26
,r.s..ss sy Specie. arrangement Copyrighted 1885.
RACHEI:
"A rrue story Of Western Farm Life. by Mrs.
Il. v. Wilson.

saooa. From the scholars in the little log school
house in the Stillman district rose o buzzng
eeand as they bent over their desks, intent on
books or mischief as the case might be. The
teacher, good-looking young man of twenty or
thereahouts. was busy with class in arithmetic
when shrill voice called out:
Teacher. Rachael Stillman's readin' story
book"
''Bring the book to me, Rachael, said the
teacher, quietly, and the delinquent, girl OF
absnt fourteen, slowly rose, and walking to him
placed q much-worn, ancientlooking volume in
his hands. why he said, glancing at the
open page. sit is the Pilgrims Progress No
wonder you are interested, Rachael. But you
1nust not read it daring school hours
The child lifted to his face pair of large blue
eyes. beautiful with their timid usefulness, as
She replied:
Il know oughnt, SIR but | wanted to see
how they got out of Doubling Castle so bad
He smiled. II will give you the book" he
said, after school; then you can read it to night
at home"
'+Oh, no." she whispered, father won't let me
read story books"
she surely would not object to this book,
answered the young teacher, "but will keep it
NATL recess tomorrow morning, and never fear!
Christian and Hopeful will outwit the old giant
yet"
The wistful eye lighted, and with grateful
szile Rachel returned to her desk
''First class in spelling take your places, !"
called the teacher. Rachel belonged to this
class, as did all of the larger scholars, among
whom was her brother Thomas, two years older
than herself. The teacher had promised prize
ut the end of the term to the member of the
class obtaining the greatest number of head
marks, and consequently a good deal of interest
was taken in the lessons. Rachel had been at
che head of the class the evening before, there
fore she now took her station at the foot. Tom,
her brother, was ''head,' and for some time no
change in position was made. but finally ''some-
body blundered" and Rachel, who was one of
the good spoilers, went mp in the long line.
Presently another hard word was missed, and
this time Rachel walked to the head Tom gave
said the teacher, ''for that is the last word
The class resumed their seats. and in a few
minutes school was dismissed for the day.
sGood evening"" said the teacher, as Rachel and
her sister, pretty, deicate-looking child of ten,
passed him at the school-room door, nov, don't
worry about Christian, Rachel"
81 won't" she answered laughing. 81 guess
he'll get out. Didn't he stand up to old Apol-
iyonr
Like good one." said the teacher, "Hope
I'll come off as WE'LL
She looked at him inquiringly, but he turned
to his desk again, and the sisters set out their
half-mie walk home Let us precede them and
see what manner of home it is to which these
children belong. The farm is large one; the
buildings substantial, and everything has pros
peroHs well-to-do look Mr.. Stillman, the owner
bf these broad acres and father of these three
Tom, Rachel and Susy, as we'll as of three more
girls and another stalwart sons stout, COM
Portable looking man of forty or fifty years;
comfortable to look at, but glance at his close
thin lips, and keen gray eyes, would convince an
ebservant person that he could and would make
1t very uncomfortable for any person in his power
who might differ from him in opinion. or venture
TO dispute his authority. just now he is chat
ting pleasantly about to-morrow's work with his
hired man. and pays no attention to the chill
dren who pass him on the way to the house.
Indoors, Mrs. Stillman, q slender. fair haired
woman who looks as if she owed the world an
apology for being in it. is pr eparing supper, be-
ing assisted by her two daughters. Elizabeth, a
sad faced woman of twepty-four, and Margaret,
girl of eighteen. with her fathers determined
mouth and chin and her mothers large blue eyes
and fair hair.
the kitchen, large room. which in winter did
duty as both dining room and kitchen.
RIM in the room. girls" said the mother,
'sand get warm, supper is about ready"
'Oh, we're not cold mother" said Rachel
s'Let me hang up your things, Susy. Mother,
got another head mark"
The mother smiled. II hope you or Tom will
get the prize she said Where is he?r
She was interrupted by a stamping of feet as
the door was thrown open and the men, followed
by Tom, entered the kitchen.
Supper is ready" said Mrs. Stillman eve
were lust going to call YOU"
swell, l guess it'll keep till we're ready" said
Mr. Stillman. roughly. Rachel bring some
water. The bucket is empty. of course. Marga-
ret where's the washbasin? Nothing in it's
place. as usual! Pity there wasn't two or three
more girls layin about"
Nobody answered this trade The hired man
picked up the basin. Margaret handed towel
Rachel came with the water and soon the fami-
~ gathered about the we'll spread table
81 tell YOU" remarked Mr. Stlman after q
few mouthfuls of the savory food had put him
in apparently better humor, II think we'd
have fine weather for hog killing by next
week. and / never had better lot of hogs,
either"
''Oh. father said Margaret, ''dont butcher
next week. Friday is Christmas and
christmas" interrupted her father. "Well,
don't we always butcher then2"
Eyes, know" answered the GIRL her lips
trembling in spite of her effort to control herself
''but father, we never enjoyed the holidays. and
thought maybe this year"
''We will do this year as we always have,
broke in the father angrily. II suppose" with
q look at his wife that made the poor woman
shrink as from blow, ''this is some of your
plans. You and your girls want to 90 gadding
around the country"
stMother never said anything about it." said
Margaret, her temper rising. "But nobody else
takes Christmas time to do their hardest and
dirtiest work.
s'Will you hush?" Numbered the father what
DO l care how anybody else does; l am master
here"
Nobody spoke again. The assertion was not
to be disputed He master, and well his
wife and daughter knew it. Poor Mrs. S.illman!
Two fortunate baby girls had died few weeks
after their birth. and the tears the mother shed
over the little collins not half so bitter as
those that fell on their innocent faces when first
they were held to her BOSOM
When on this evening the father had proved
his authority his two elder daughters rose from
the table, and, taking couple of large buckets
went quietly out of the house. and. going to the