The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-04-19

she will have me.
When DR.. Falkney once made up hi:
mind, he was not long in acting upon
it. He went that selfsame evening tc
Mrs. Mynton's and asked to see Mis-:
Clissold.
"Lar' said Mrs. Mynton, who sat al
her everlasting mending basket
''Didn't you know? She's gone away.
"GoneP" DR.. Falkney looked sui,
prised. "Gone whereP"
"Wen, it's the queerest thing" sait
Mrs. Mynton. I'VE don't know; and
don't fairly believe she knows herse...s =.
She said she was going to follow up
your prescription, doctor"
MY pres cription?'
Exercise and fresh air, You know
She said SIZED be back at the end of :,
few weeks and let us know how il
worked"
DIR. Falkney's jet-black brows con,
tracted.
'.And you let her go away like this P'
said re. $50 Young, so lovely, and go
inexperienced! Where were your ma
ternal instincts. Mrs. Mynton3"
Mrs. Mynton bridled little.
81 don't see what maternal instincts
have to do with it." said she. s'She's
no kin to me-only Mynton's sisters
child. Aud I've got four girls of my
own to look after. And when all has
come and gone, I've got no authority
over Phebe Clissold to stay her or to
stop her."
''Yes, I see, said the doctor with a
disturbed look. 81 dare say it is as
you say. But I hope she will soon
come home again."
Phebe had made up her mind what
to do.
'tTll be travelling peddler," she told
herself. "Part of my stock I'll carry
in my brains. and part on my arm"
That day, just as Mrs. Perkins, at
for dinner, Phebe Clissold knocked at
the door.
''Bless mep cried the farmers wife.
nearly dropping her biggest blue-edged
plate in her surprise; is that you.
Phebe?"
eyes" nodded Phebe. GLOW good
your dinner smells. Mrs. Perkins. |
t:iink | shall stay and take dinner with
you"
''And welcome. said the good wo-
man. "But | thought, Phebe, you had
gone to your city relations? You
hain't quarreled with them. hope and
trust"
''Oh. no." said Phebe; "I never
quarrel with anybody, Mrs. Perkins.
But I've got my living to earn. Uncle
Mynton isn't rich man, and l cant
be drag on him. I tried life in IL
store, but it seems l wasn't strong
enough for that sort of thing, so I'm
going to strike out on a new track.
I'm travelling milliner at present"
'What?'' said Mrs. Perkins.
Phebe pointed TO the light basket
that she had carried on her arm.
SIN that basket said she, laughing,
''there are three compartments. One
is full OF the latest style of spring
frames. packed closely, one within an
other; the second contains flowers,
wings and wreaths; the third is full of
of every color of the rainbow.
You'll take your spring bonnet of me,
Mrs. Perkins, won't you?"
well, if that ain't providential!"
said Mrs. Perkins. II was just going
to Linley arter it to-morrow-I was,
just as sure as you're born.
I'm suit you better than any of the
Linley milliners, Mrs. Perkins," said
Phebe; land I'll work cheap, too. Give
me trial.
"Well, I'll do that" said the good
dame. II remember, now, you was
always handy with the needle. Dim
ner's ready, an I'm goin' to call Per-
kins and the hired man. Sit down,
Phebe, and take pot luck with u.s."
After dinner Phebe set herself dill
gently to work to suit Mrs. Perkins in
a new bonnet. Scarlet lield-poppies,
black satin ribbon. aud a frame COW
cred with puffed black silk took the
worthy woman's fancy completely.
81 never had handsomer bunnit,"
said she. There's real style to it.
Eight shillings? OF course I'll pay
eight shillings, Phebe! l expected to
pay ten in Linley, and this is prettier
than I'd have got it there"
This bit of success took the edge off
from the criticisms and carpings of
Mrs Deacon Root, who lived in the
next house with her three daughters,
who had none of tlem, to use her own
"any faculty for ixin' up
bunnits." And Phebe was compelled
to wholesale" the family for 26 shil-
lings. which barely more than covered
expenses.
And then she repacked her basket
and once more set forth under the
trees and along the shady
lanes, where dandelions sprinkled all
the grass like drops of sunshine.
"Dr. Falkney was right" she said
to herself. ssAir and exercise are
what l needed. I feel like another
woman now-only it does make me
feel bad to think of never seeing DR..
kind face again"
And for moment the faraway blue
of the April sky glimmered through
mist of unShed tears.
"How foolish ami" said Phebe to
herself.
Aud then she knocked at Mrs. Par
than's door, and asked leave to show
her the new spring shapes in hats and
bonnets.
A woman can resist anything but
headgear. The fresh glistening rolls
of ribbon the box of birds wings, the
crisp roses and jonquils. the tempting
''shapes" in straw, and lace, and buck
ram, and Phebe's own naturalborn
skill in combining them-all these
proved irresistible to these country
folks, and ere long Phebe had sold out
her stock, and returned to the city
with a good sum over and above her
expenses.
This" she said gleefully to herself,
81 shall give to Aunt Mynton towards
the cost have been to her"
As she crossed the street towards
the dreary red brick walls of the
sOtranto Flats" where the Myntons
dwelt, someone refined up horse, with
a quick cry of ''Do you want to be run
over, Phebeg
She looked up. 1t was DR.. Falkney.
''Oh, DOCTOR" she cried radiantly,
81 have taken your prescription. and
you can't think how much good it has
done me!'
The doctor looked as bright as she
did herself,
81 shall call to see you tonight" ;"
said he.
"Another prescriptionp'c cried Phebe.
And then she remembered. with
sudden crimsoning of the cheeks, that
she had not yet paid his bill,
But l can pay him now," she
Al IL Al