River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-02-20
BEN'S SISTER.
She Certainly Was Worth Her
Weight in Gold.

''Ben. most six o'clock"
"Yes."
Breakfasts all ready"
''I'm coming as quick as can"
The door at the foot of the stairs
closed with slight bang, and Ben dis
contentedly stretched himself
I'm sick of that old mill DrOning
and drOning there day after day; never
seeing any thing, and getting such mis-
cradle pay
o He forgot 10 think. as he slowly
dressed himself, that no very long time
had elapsed since he had thought him
self very lucky fellow in getting a sit
uation at the mill, with prospect of
better wages IL he proved himself faith
full and capable.
Hurry. now; you've no time TO lose" "
said Susan, following him to the gate
after he had finished his breakfast
work begins pretty prompt, doesn't
it,"
Prompt? Yes, guess it does and
keeps up pretty prompt all day. Work,
work, work. all the time. Jim Slade says
3 smart fellow can get twice as much
paw for half as much work in the city,
and have a chance of seeing something
a little lively, too"
But you wouldn't think Of going any
where to leave mother and me, Benz
s,P'raps would for awhile, Sue, il /
could make lois Of money for you. And
then YOU and mother'd come to where l
was. Wouldn't that be fine? But / must
go now"
Susan stood for few moments at the
gate with a heavy misgiving at her
heart. Ben had seemed unsettled ever
since Jim Slade had come home from
the city. taking less interest in his
work. and appearing less anxious than
formerly to do his best She did not
know that Jim's reason for coming
home to take a little rest just now, as
he had given out. had been a dismissal
from his situation under circumstances
which he was anxious to keep hidden
from his country friends; and that his
strong interest in her brother Ben arose
from the fact of his guessing that he
had little money laid by. and feeling
DESTROYS of sharing il with him through
cOaxing him TO return to the city with
him. But Susan had an instructive dis
trust for Jim, and had not liked to see
his growing intimacy with Ben
She looked anxiously after her brother
as he took his way along the pretty
mountain I'D like to work in that
mill myself-such a nice one" she said.
half laughing at the idea She had a
bovish taste for strong. large things,
and had been greatly interested in i'm
provements which Mr.. Graves had made
in his saw-mill, new machinery and con-
veniences which were novelties to the
country folk.
At dinner-time Ben seemed restless
and uneasy, avoiding her eye, she fan
cied, and talking in quick, excited
tones about matters OF no Importance
10 their mother, who was an invalid,
and had drifted into way of leaving
every thing to Susan's capable ordering
and performing.
I'm in a dreadful hurry" said Ben.
AZ length. springing from his chair.
ssGoOd-bye, mother" lie kissed her,
and then with an awkard laugh and a
heightened color hurried out of the
house.
You've forgot your handkerchief.
said Susan. making pretext Of it again
10 follow him as he was Fastening away.
you're ever so good 70 me. Sue" he
said. making a snatch at it as she held
il out to him. You've always beer
good 10 me. and I'm going to be good t.
yOu-yOu'u see
He was of without look at her, and
Susan went back to the house feeling
more and more perplexed and uneasy
As she resumed her work a terrible sug
Cestion flashed upon her mind Could
Ben be intending 70 leave home without
letting her and his mother know? II
would be unlike him to do any thing
which he must realize would be such 4
sorrow TO them. but she knew that Jim:
influence over him had been growing
stronger and stronger. and he had sue
ceeded in filling the mind Of the foolish
country boy with the idea that he could
do far better for himself and for thes'
two who were partly dependent upoI
him. by leaving the home which has
until lately been perfectly satisfying u
him
To do the boy justice. his stronges
feeling in the matter was the desire Z
be helpful TO the others
I'll fix things so poor little GUS!
won't have 20 work 50 hard any more,
he said to himself, mist arising to M
ewes as. reaching an opening in th'
woods. he turned for glance back.
She was carrying out q basket oil
clothes 70 hang Il the sunshine, and az
knew they were for summer-b0arders a
farmhouse near by. he gazed at hel
with very loyal desire to stand between
her and hard work