The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-04-29

they knew they had never hoped to
have In their old treadmill city DAYS.
The third year Miss Plat was elected
Sunday school superintendent.
They had formed by that time a
really pleasant acquaintance in their
little world. Neighbors that are worth
having are slowly made, but these came
in time to the two women who were
standing alone npon their own feet.
The ladies had geutle ways and refined
speech that reacted on the Young folk
about them. if not on the old ones, who
murdered grammar and sang hymns
through their noses.
Miss Platt formed at length Sun.
day school literary society. Men and
women and boys and girls belonged to
it, They discussed woman Suffrage,
and prohibition and the tariff, and the
question OF where Cain got his wife.
There were q history class, reading
club. lessons in social etiquette, prize
essays and prize debates. and compe.
titive recitatiOns, all within the limits
OF that literary society Miss Plat had
organized in her capacity of SUNDAY
school superintendent. Mrs. Pratt
having been a teacher so long, easily
managed whatever Miss Platt lacked.
The fame of the literary club of Squaw.
hasset spread far and wide:
The fourth year another great event
in their lives happened. They bought
a COW:
It's the darlingest little fawn-colored
Jersey in the world, isn't it, Marian?'
said Mrs. Pratt.
lit is, Susan. If I'd thought a little
cow was so cute we'd have had her
long ago.
but what if she kicks?" suggested
Marian. I'D be afraid awfully If she
did that
Il must consult my farm books,''
said Susan, stoutly. ''Lct me see.
Kicking cows-subject. Dairy. Oh,
yes! You strap her right hind leg back
to post"
'Who's going to do it, Susan?''
''Dear me. never could do it in
the world, Marian
But fortunately Fawn was as gentle
rs the creature she was named for.
They learned to milk her without
trouble. They got money out of
her, too. She gave far more cream
than they wanted for their own use.
They sold it to a few families who
could afford to pay for it. A little
girl whom they adopted delivered it
for them. A shiftless married couple
died and left homeless bow and girl.
The boy was offered to them, but they
took the girl, because girls have the
toughest time of it in this world at
best, and they determined to give one
of the sisterhood happy childhood at
any rate.
miss Plat and Mis- Pratt. they al
ways stand up for their own sect, :" said
old Mrs. Bobberly.
Well, this last that l am telling you
happened ten years ago.
If you 90 to Squawhasset you will
SEQ u pretty little house, L-shaped,
with verandas and bay window, a
sweetscented honeysuckle vine climbs
the post. A tiny greenhouse close to
it is full of flowers and leaves. If yon
lock you will see within it some vege-
table seed beds, too, for early lettuce
and raddishes and cabbages.
But the chicken houses are tho pride
of the establishment. They are very
large and well built, and cost more
than the mansion itself. They contain
incubators and all the new improve.
ments.
The ladies bought several acres more
of ground. With their vegetables and
honey, their plums and strawberries,
and the chickens, eggs and cream, the
two brave women made q handsome
living and laid up money. They found
that there was most to be made at
raising spring broilers. They gave
much attention to that with remarkable
success. But how they did work a!
first, till their backs ached and they were
ready to drop. 1t was healthy work.
though. They used their brains with
all their might, too, and thought and
planned 50 that now they do not have
to work aud toll with their hands any
more, they use more ''gumption' and
less labor.
They have been prosperous, thank
you; yes.
III you 60 past inc preLty mouse late
in the afternoon this cold weather, you
will now and then sec handsom phea-
ton, drawn by spirited horse, pause
at the gate. Two ladies wearing seal
skin cloaks, white fur robe tucked
about their feet, alight. Their hair is
grey but their cheeks are pink and
their color is as clear as girls.
1t is Miss Pratt and Mrs Pratt.
They have all of this worlds goods
that any body really needs. They are
happy too-happier than nine-tenths
of their sex. But their prosperity has
been won only by hard knocks and
trials. Sometimes now that they are
grey haired, they wonder if they are
not getting rather tired, and if there is
not at last land where to desire is to
will, and to will is to create,