Mower County transcript., 1890-11-19
ZEPHYR'S DOLLAR.

ZEPHYR'S DOLLAR.
On It the Hinges Of Her Destiny
Turned.
20 :: .: =; :: ::
~ EYA Farmer Croft,
NMSONDDE "where 8
s. ~ Sz Mrs Croft
II looked sharply
II k%SE%SS& up from the but
Il AGZkWM y ter she was
x .WWH working over in
Y a MS " ~ wooden bowl.
kM#YM Is.. I'M She was one Of
MMW~ NXNV those querulous,
MfRA ~&ESIzM. com p q | n ing
oINEN ~W&X2Yk. women whose
%N>W WNU very voice is
~-Z ZzzmM pitc ed in a
y /%Z%//Va minor kew.
C1I7RX0 VUN wv here 8
/HEW N ZEPHYR" she
ZW/( repeated, "why.
~ where should
she be? How do know? Staring out
OF the garret window. l suppose, or
picking yellow jonquils at the foot OF
the garden, or incoming away her time
in any thing but good, solid work. l
never did see such shiftless creetur'!'
And Mrs. Croft gave the golden mass
of butter slap first in this direction,
and then in that, as il she were boxing
somebody's ears.
1.-The place is strange to her yet,
apologized Mr.. Croft. "When she gets
used to things she'll be different You
see she hasn't got over fretting after her
mother yet"
'Humph!' said the woman. 81 do
like people to show little common
'ense! She'd ought to know that no
amount of fretting can bring back any
one that's dead and buried! She's got
to go to work and earn her own living,
and the sooner she does it, the better!
That's my way of lookin' at it."
And she glared grimly after her de-
parting husband, as he meekly with
drew into the porch.
"Zephyr!' he called, softly, down the
SoAOCA patus ACpAyI:
''Thero was no answer. The sun
shine was sleeping the grass in gold.
On the sheltered slope south of the
wall, one might tread on blue carpet
of violets- Farmer Croft shaded his
eyes with one hand.
''She's down by the river bank" said
he. Strange how she likes to set there
and stare at the water goin' BY"
Yes, Zephyr Lowell was very discon-
tented, very ungrateful, of course.
Ought not any girl to rejoice and be
exceedingly glad of the privilege of a
hard bed in Mrs. Croft's attic bedroom.
and seat at the table, where cold
pork was served deal oftener than hot
sausages? As for sympathetic glances,
words OF gentle consolation, those un-
obtrusive, unstudied deeds of affection
that are often sweeter than any
syllabled sentences-what right had
she to expect such? Even if Mrs.
Croft had known what such things
meant which she didn't, she was not
very likely to waste them on her hus-
bands penniless niece.
"Of all things" said Mrs. Croft, "de-
liver me from genteel paupers."
':Zephyr!" the good farmer called
once more, as he neared the tall reeds
and rushes that fringed the river shore;
and a tall, slight figure, like an Undine,
started up.
Eyes, uncle; is it you?"
Zephyr, what are you doing here?"
II don't know" the girl listlessly an
swered.
1.-The airs kind, o. chill, for all the sun
shines so high" said Mr.. Croft, anxious
ly. II dunno as I'd stay here, if I was
you, Zephyr. I'd go back to the house
and keep your aunt company, or help
Miranda Jane with her quiltin'."
Zephyr smiled.
my aunt and I don't seem to be
much company for each other, Uncle
Croft" said she; 'and I did try to help
Miranda Jane; but she says my stitch
ing and hers don't match at ALL"
Zephyr" said the good man, with a
troubled air, ''1m afraid you amt real
happy here on the farm"
mo, uncle, am not" Zephyr frank
" admitted; ''but it isn't your fault.