The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-04-07
Paying Their Debts,

his farm, his careless, loose dress dis
play ing to advantage his tall. muscu-
Ter figure, and a broad straw hat shad-
ed handsome face. with large dark
eyes set beneath q forehead whose
breadth and height indicated power
full brain. The hands that guided the
plough were strong hands, but whittier
and more delicate than such pursuits
usually allow.
Daisy How sat watching him. Her
dress was print but made with founc-
es on the skirt and rufies on the waist
Her short golden hair was curled into
a fringe carefully over her forehead,
and gathered in longer curls into a
comb behind, above which was very
jaunty hat covered with puffs of white
muslin and bows of blue ribbon to
match the spots on her dress.
The face under Daisy's hat was
gloomy. not to say cross. A very pref
ty face. but not pleasant, having pet
ted. spoiled-child frown, and brood
ing discomfort in the large blue eyes.
Presently the farmer drew near her.
and taking off his hat, famed himself
with it, stopping his horses while he
leaned indolently against the pillow.
You look deliciously cool under
this great tree" he said. "And-hem!
very much dressed for nine o'clock
in the morning.
Sin fivepenny cal;cor' she said,
contemptuously. when are you COM
ing IMP"
Eat noon. to dinner"
at is too absurd" she broke out.
angry tears in her eyes. ''for you to be
ploughing, and hoeing. and milking
cows, and doing the work of a labor
ing man! thought when you came
home from college you would do some
thing besides work on farm
"And let the farm 90 to ruin. That
would be poor way to pay my debts. "
Your debtsr' she said. looking as
tonished DO you owe debts?"
Certainly! You and I are both
very heavily in debt, Daisy. l think
when Aunt Mary took us in. poor lit
tic orphans, l her nephew. you her
second cousin"
Third cousin" she interrupted.
"since you are so particular! 1 know
what you mean, but I am very sure
that Aunt Marry never intended us to
drudge on the horrid old farm!"
'.Do You know that all the money
she saved in life of hard work was
spent upon our education? Do you
know that she has nothing now but
the farm, and that to take her away
from it would probably shorten her
lifc?'
She always has taken care of il
herself"
'Are you blind that you cannot see
how the four years she has been alone
here have aged her, how feeble she is:
While we were living at ease at col
lege and school, she has toiled for us
until she is wear cd ont.
But you could send her money il
you were in the city in some gentle
manly occupation"
perhaps so, ten or twelve years
from now. TO day, ] propose to work
this farm, and see how many bushel:
of corn l can IA sc on it!'
He took hold of the plough handles
as he spoke, started the horses.
and left her. her eyes full of tears.
He might as we'll have said what hi
meant" she thought. springing down
and starting to the house. HE thinks
ought to cook. and wash. and make
butter. and work like q servant-girl
when have studied so hard and triet
to make myself lady. that he Nigh
not be ashamed of me-"
And yet in her heart. she knew tina
he was ashamed Of her. and that she
could sit in her room. selfishly en-
crossed in making pretty articles o
dress, or reading. while her cousin. or
as she. too. called her, Aunt Mary,
worked in the kitchen. the dairy. thu
poultry yard. from days dawn til
night.
She was not all selfishness and heart
lessness, though there had grown
thick crust of both over her better ma
turc. Her ideas of ladies and gentle
men depended largely upon clothing an
pursuit. and she had not yet quite real
lied how much more nearly john
standard reached the desired point tina
her own.
As she drew near the house the stin
of Johns words penetrated more an
more through the crust she had draw
over her heart. until fresh stab me
her at the door. she saw white hea
bowed in weep ng, slight figure shak
en- BIZ sobs.
Quickly through all the selfishness
self reproach struck at the girls hear
md in moment she was on her knee
beside the low chair. her arms aroun
the weeping woman.
"Oh. Aunt Mary. what is it? Oh
please don't cry so! Oh. what has hal
penedP"
WHY. Daisy dear''-through sol
that would not be checked at a mt
ment's notice-.'don't mind me. II
only tired, dearie-only tired"
Could she have struck deeperP Three
At seventy, homework does become
weariness!" At seventy, il may seel
rs if one ought to rest while youu
hands and active feet take up the bu
dens. She was very tired, this patiel
old woman. who had given her life
work for others; first, for her parent
then for an invalid brother; lastly, II
the orphan children; with such innur
cradle acts of neighborly kindness
only the recording angel of good dee'
knew.
Well might she be tired! 1t was ne
A.. L., -, 10 raraSoad IN have tapd,