Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-11-11
WILD BECKY.

W ILl' DLN n L.
II there is one thing that the country
folks OF Milville were proud OF over and
above the new organ in their 'meetlH -
house" it was the MilviIle boarding
school, which capped the very highest
pinnacle Of their village. \ light set
upon hill, which shed its literary radi
auCe over the whole place.
Cynthia Adams was the only day
scholar, but she was the squire dauEh-
ter. and il was n matter of course that
her schooling should be something be
yond that of the rest of the village girls.
One day as the scholars were hanging
over the school yard fence. or, sitting in
groups on the steps, waiting for the
school bell to ring. they heard man
with lUsty pair of lungs shouting Gee
haw, git up thar in a voice 50 loud that
it threatened To shake the hills
That is one of old Mllcr's whispers,
do believe, laughed Cyntma. lies a
farmer about here with Roaring voice.
Such queer fellow as he Is, 10 he sure.
| wish you girls could see him
The Gee -haws' sounded neGver every
moment, and now pair of oxen came
numbering over the brow of the hill, fol
lowed by riCkety hayCart, at the end Of
which was poised bare headed young per
son In a cloud Of dnSt Her ample bonnet
swung from the top of one Of the poles
which formed the side IF the cart evidently
for the purpose of proving to the PaSScE
by that she possessed the article, though
she did not choose TO wear it. She looked
up at it rather wistfUlly, however, as her
champion, Farmer Miller, with thunder
ing eNclamations, drove the cart up TO
the school house gate.
Pile out, Becky he rOared, land
well soon fix it up with 'em here. Dou't
be skeered, gal. Be you the school
marms'
The question was addressed to Miss
Peters the principal, who. at this june
ture, came politely forward.
Il haven't much lcarnin' myself
ma am, ," he continued, but I'm bOuuG
that my gal here shall have as good a
chance rs the rest of EN-. She's a good
gal Becky is, only trifle wild ike, RAd
needs setIln' bit. I'm a better hand
at settlin' bills than lively young crea-
lures like this one; 50 if you'll tend to
one I'll tend to t'other. and handing the
poor girl over, tumbling her bonnet after
her. he was half way down the hill he
fore Wild Becky had made up her mind
whether she would be settled or not.
1t was very diSagreeable standing there
with all the girls staring at her, she
thought: and glancing shyly out from
under her long lashes, her eyes rested
gladly on the familiar features of the
'squire's daughter.
.'How do, CynthiaH' she said, nodding
in such a civil way that it surprised her
self
Cynthia looked biankly into her face
a moment without making the slightest
sign Of recognition, then, wheeling
around on her heels, she turned her back
squarely upon her.
litter went around the yard. Every
one seemed amused hut poor Becky,
who shut her mouth tightly. and her
heart too, for that matter, and hated her
kind. As she Joined the crowd squeezing
into the school house she wondered why
she had ever consented to be brought To
school. The old wild life perfectly con
tented her. To roll about for hours
under the widespread oaks, with friendly
squirrels. or to chase the brook as 1t
dashed gayly down the hills, was pleas
amer than the society of girls, she had al
ways thought
But the fact was her grandfather had
taken il into his dear old head to make "a
lady of her. and. rather than disappOint
the kind soul who had done so much for
her, Wild Becky made desperate effort
to plume herself down that morning into
n civilized girl, and mingle with her fel
low beings.
Ii was harder even than she had i'm
agined. The close school room almost
stiflcd her, while the dull monotOnuUs
hum of voices had such n stupefyinE
effect that before she had been seated
long her head dropped on her desk and
she fell asleep. She was awakened by
something tickling her nose; putting her
hand up, quickly great bouncing but
terfly fluttered through her fingers and
shOt up into the air Now. this was
playmate Wild Becky could never resist;
without half realizing where she was,
she burst into a loud laugh, and was
making a dive for it, when, recollecting
herself, she slid down again into her seat,
with the painful consciousness that all
eyes were upon her. The pair that terri
fled her most were those upon the plat
form-not Miss Peters eyes, but those of
room during Becky's nap.
where did you come from" asked the
woman. sharply. for she was indignant
at the interruption of her class.
biscuit City, a'am, ~ was the prompt
reply.
"A land productive of biscuits and rude
girls returned the teacher, facetiOusly
at which the other scholars. particularly
u Il !
Unless yOu cen command yourself
YOU had better return there at once" she
continued.
Wild Becky did not need much urging
on that score. As quickly as possible she
sprang from her seat, and, vGultinG
through the open window, swung herself
down to the ground as neatly as a boy
could have done it, for she was IN great
wrath So off she trotted, never looking
behind her until she brought up at the
kitchen door.
Through the opening she could see her
grandfather bending over the big brick
oven.
'Sakes alivel School amt out yet, be
its'' he asked. lifting himself up to get
a good view of the clock
Becky flung herself down on the steps
and poured forth her injuries, winding
up with a declaration Of independence.
"I'n never go again, never. You will
not ask it of me, will you, grandfather
Not if you're set agin it, " said the old
man, with a sigh, as he passed into the
buttery and brought out a heaping dish
Of pancakes.
Il thought as how you'd come home
hungry, and so made a lot Of 'em."
Becky had a weakness for pancakes,
and was quite touched with the attention.
She moved a chair nearer them and tried
to eat, but somehow they seemed TO stick
in her throat. The idea that her grand
father was sorely disappointed made
them hard to swallow.
What makes You care so much about
my being a LADY," she said, at length
laying down her knife and fork, and look
ing fiXed'y at him.
The tanner wiped his glasses carefully
Il dun know" ne answered; pr 'aps
y. 1,,r