The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-06-27

e.4elEXs ~ ulous voice Lucy
xHh1 Mt Ross threw down
ya5[1aVylSgaH$ her book and hur-
T(IThIHFU VIZ + ri e d into tn o
didn't think the dishwater was
hot" she explained. Il forgot to put
it on till after dinner"
Yes, that's always the way You
never think OF nuthin' when your
nose is stuck in book. II I'd a
know'd what do now, I'd never a
sent you to school day."
Lucy made no reply to this TRADE;
but her sensitive lips quivered and her
eyes filed with tears which she strove
in vain to repress
Scenes like this were OF daily occur
renee in the Ross family; for the
motherSs natural irritability had been
greatly increased by years of hard
work and ill-health, and. Lucy pro-
voked her beyond measure by the
growing listlessness with which she
went about her household duties The
truth is that Lucy had become en-
crossed, heart and soul. in the pur-
suit OF knowledge-it being the tixcd
purpose OF her life to rise above the
station of-a-mere- telling machine.
Mrs. RossSincapable OF mental labor
herself, was equally incapable Of form
ing any conception of 1t. Drudgery
was her ideal work. What wonder,
then, that she mistook Lucy's preoc-
cupation for Incidence, and that she
lost-ne@ep paftnnity rating
soundly for it.
When the di shes had been washed
and put away Lucy returned to where
she had left her book, but to her sur
prise it was gone. She was not slow
to conjecture what had happened. One
of the children had hidden it to tease
her. Hardly day passed that she
was. not made the victim of one or
more of their pranks. Tim, the Oldest,
was four years her junior; and added
to this difference in age was a yet
greater difference in disposition Lucy
had, consequently, retired more and
more within herself. and had grad
ually come to regard her brothers and
sisters as so many necessary evils.
They, on their part, looked on her
quiet. studious manners as indications
of dullness and stupidity, and thought
1t fine sport to anger her, or awake
her up" as they termed it.
On this occasion she was too much
concerned for the fate of her missing
book to feel angry.
Mother" she called, as she
searched aimlessly about the room,
make the children give me back my
physiology. They will get it soiled or
torn, and then what viii Kitty sayp'
Mrs. Ross usually sided with the
children against Lucy in their diff
culties, but the knowledge that the
book in question was a gift from Kitty
Olwirt made her equally anxious for
its safe restoration. Accordingly, she
summoned the children, and tried first
to persuade and then to brighten the
guilty one into revealing its where
abouts. But all stoutly protested that
they knew nothing about it; and coax
ing,.threatsrand' ffogging proved alike
unavailing-
I'm not going to Kitty,s this even
ing without itp' declared Lucy. tear
fully.
Kitty was her one friend and sympa,
thizer. u The only being in the world
who truly understood and appreciated
her. A warm intimacy had existed
between them ever since, as children,
they had played together at school.
But Lucy's school days ended as
soon as she grew old enough to be use.
full at home, She struggled bravely on
in her studies, however, finding little
benefactress in Kitty, who supplied her
with books and assisted her in every
possible way. -.,-.sv
The two friends met regularly three
times week to discuss Lucy's self
assigned lessons, and the hours thus
=spent4-wereL the happiest OF =Lueyas
life
The poor girl was almost beside
herself over the disappearance of her
cherished physiology. 1t was pitiful
to see her that afternoon, vainly peer
ing again and again into every crack
and corner of the house and yard,
where it seemed possible for book tC
be secreted.
When four o. clock came. which was
the time appointed for meeting with
Kitty, she sought the children at their
play, and, withStears in her eyes and
voice, promised to do any thing in hei
power for the one who would tell heI
where her book was. Ez=7E
Her entreaties ELECTED derisivt
laugh from Tim, in which the others
joined, and with the words: CRY
baby! cry-babyi'' ringing in her ears
she FASTENED away.
Reaching o secluded spot In thu
orchard, she seated herself under 1
tree and gave full vent to her feelings
When she returned TO the house hel
mother ecolded her for not keeping hel
appointment with Kitty
You know the children'll give bacl
yer book when they've had their fur
over itl' she snapped. And yo'
could a. told Kitty you mislaid III"
Before Lucy could reply, her littl'
sister came running in. calling OK
citedly to her to como and look in tn
rain barrel. +