The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-01-20
THE NEW DECLARATION.
by LIZZIE NJ. LArHAM.

d iANNlII NJ i4AlhAMs
Alice Brown was kneading bread at
the low kitchen table.
The melodious, whirring hum of the
reaper came through the window, and
the graceful shadows of the morning
glory vines danced upon her foury
molding board, and the mass of Welding
dough upon which she was bestowi1g
great deal of unnecessary energy.
Evidently the maiden's mind was not in
harmony with the peaceful scene about
her a tempcramental explosion seemed
imminent, and Dorcas, who watched the
gathering of the tempest, shrewdly rea-
soning that premature outburst might
mitigate the severity thereof. fastened
to provoke it with the inquiry, "What
seems to be the matter, Alice ?''
The girl turned quickly.
"Matter2 I'm sick of this everlasting
cooking, eating, and scrubbing. There
has been nothing else ever since came
home from school, and there is no pros
pect OF there ever being ANYTHING else.
don't object to work; but should like
a little variety--a chance to rest and read
occasionally; though I'm sure | don't
know what there is to read if l had the
opportunity"
There's passel of books on the
mantel in the parlor," said Dorcas,
placidly.
"Oh, yesl There's an old dictionary,
and last years almanac, and Pilgrims
Progress, and BaXter's Saints Rest
one would have to turn into genuine
saint to get chance to rest in this house
and few more antiquated volumes
that give me the blues to look at them.
I'd like something little more modern
and spicy. | want Haype,'s Magazine,
sand the Century, and the Woman's
Journal"
"Wcll," said the practical Dorcas
why don't you send for them2"
'Because | haven't cent to bless my
self with, though l have worked in this
kitchen steadily ever since / came home.
Women never do have any money, it
seems to me. Just think of it, Dorcas, 4"
and she gave the dough vindictive
punch by way of emphasizing her state
ment, "here is my father, the richest
man in the county, with the largest farm,
the best stock and machinery, with plenty
of leisure, and money in the bank: and
my mother, who has worked Just as
hard, and helped to earn it all just as
much as he has, is practically pauper.
She has toiled many an hour when he
was asleep, and yet she has nothing to
show for her incessant labor, moth
ing that she can call her own. Yester-
day when the agent for the Household
Magazine called, she wanted to subscribe,
but couldn't, because she didn't possess
the paltry dollar and half, and father
didn't think it was necessary. Poor
mother! Her pale, patient face haunts
me daily. No wonder she is old and
wrinkled and worn out at fifty, having
had, all her busy life, only what some
one else thought was necessary If l
thought my life was to be a copy of hers,
should want to end it now. But it
never shall be. I'll inaugurate a new
system, have Declaration of Indepen-
dence, and earn my own money"
WHAT will you do?" queried Dorcas.
I'm apply for the school in this
neighborhood. / haven't a very finished
education, know, but think could
teach the 'deestrick school as success
fully as that beardless college boy who
was here last fall"
"Your pa will never let you, Alice"
81 shall not ask him. l am twenty
one, and shall do as please. will
have my papers and mother shall have
her magazine if she wants IT, She has
earned it a million times over.n
"And what will you do with Ralph
EllisIn asked Dorcas. slyly.
The girls face flushed a rosy red, but
she answered bravely: 'l'll let him en-.
tirely alone. l do not deny that / used
to think | might be willing to Inarry
him, if he gave me the opportunity. l
thought | could find my happiness in
washing his milk pans, making his but
ter, and cooking for his hired men but
I've changed my mind. l should only
be his maid dof-all- l-work all my life, as
mother has been fathers before me.
should have TO live on a daily diet of
self-denial and sacrifice, and | find l
have no appetite for that sort of food.
Therem she added in a different tone,
giving the shapely loaves a parting pat,
''the bread is finished -
'And it looks nice, too" said Dorcas,
admiringly; "but if il ever dares to come
up after all that punchn' and poundin
you have given it, shall have great
respect for that yeast of mine. -
"Oh, it will come up, never fear.
There are some things in this world that
cannot be kept down"
81 believe you, Alice, and / shouldn't
wonder if you was one of them But,