Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-10-16
SHE SHOULD HAVE WAITED.
The Secret OF an Unhappy Day with the
Green Parasol.

/ in all the world!
1t had been their mothers best one,
| but she had bought another, and now
this was kept in the upper drawer of
/ the big bureau in the spare room, and
every Sunday of the long, hot summer
time the little girls were allowed to run
in and take it out to carry to Sunday
| school
Only they must take turns in the car
rying.
And when it ives Matilda's turn, and
the little white cambric sack was drawn
on, and the small straw bonnet with
its knot of daisies on top, was tied Sc
curely under her fat chin, she would
race into the spare-room with all her
might, tug wildly at the heavy drawer,
and come out with a very red face, but
an exceedingly triumphant manner,
holding the precious parasol aloft, while
she called loudly to Louisa to Hurry,
we'll be late"
And louisa would never go under
the cool shade that the green silk and
long fringe afforded, even on the most
sultry, baking days, although kindly
and persistently invited with the most
patronizing air.
The sun might pour down his scorch-
ing rays so that even the birds crept
gladly under the nearest leaves, the
other little cambria sack and small
straw bonnet with the knot of daisies
on top would march sturdily by the side
of unhappy magnificence, protesting
with flushed cheeks that she wasn't
warm bit!
And when it came Louisa's turn, the
neighbors would see Matilda stalking
off as far as possible from her happy
sister, as if there were not such thing
in all the world as parasol
"You feel so smart" said Matilda one
day, peering under the long fringe into
Louisa's chubby face, IAN you always
have it the very incest days, you dol"
1t really seemed true that the sun
NEST hottest days of all that warm
summer time did indeed fall to Louisa's
lot, when she could sail off. cool and
proud, an object of envy to all
She tossed her little round head up
among the spokes of the parasol, and
said, with most moral air: "You
shouldn't envy folks; teacher said twas
wicked"
81 amt envyin'!" declared Matilda,
stalking sturdily on. Il only wish l
had it j"
''Well, you can't" said Louisa, cling
ing to the long handle with confidence,
"cause it's mine, you see, an we've got
an awful long ways to go yet before we
get to Sunday-school, too. 'Tildyl"
Matilda preserved a grim silence, but
some thing dark was just at that mo-
ment passing through her mind. Why
not hurry and get dressed first the Sum
day it came Louisa's turn to carry the
parasol, rush into the spare-room, capt
ure the prize and run smartly off with
it before the little fat sister knew
thing about it,
"She's had it all the best days" she
reasoned to herself, walking on, IAN so
it's fair-yes, 'tisr'
The idea grew so delightful, the
more she came to think of it, that she
forgot all about the next Sunday, when
she should have it all to herself as a
thing that fairly belonged to her.
And all the days between, over and
over, at school and at home, Matilda
!
time came, when--in the little white
cambria sack and the small straw hat
with the knot of daisies on top-she
stood before the big bureau drawer.
Hastily she drew out the precious
green parasol with the long fringe, and
rushing out of the house, she fairly
few up the street, not breathing safely,
till she turned the corner.
Then she didn't dare raise it. till she
was quite sure that Louisa was not
scuttling just after. And so she didn't
begin to get the least enjoyment out
of it, until she was nearly at the Sun
day -school room.
And every stepof the way each breeze
that blew the sweeping fringe seemed
to say: "Oh, you mean little thing you'll
Oh, you mean little thing you!"-un-
til she was ready to dash it into the
middle of the streets, and sit down on
the curbstone to cry in sheer vexation.
But she was presently obliged to
sneak into her class, where she usually
brought smiling face-and tucked her
self into the smallest corner.
"Where is Louisa?" asked Miss Root
'She's she's a-comin'," stammered
Matilda, with very hot cheeks.
SIS she sick?" pursued the teacher,
anxiously.
Nom" said Matilda. that isl
d'no," she finished desperately.
The scholars laughed outright at that
But Miss Root looked grave, and took
up her book to begin the lesson.
And just then, in walked Louisa, with
her grandest air, and most contented
expression beaming from every line of
her fat face And wonder of wondersl
in her hand she held in the most con-
spicuous position, bright blue parasol,
with a dear little bow on top, and
shining white handle.
Matilda rubbed her eyes, and stared
with all her might?
You got the great one, didn't you?"
said Louisa, after getting into her seat
with dignity, and glancing at her sis
ter's side. 'Oh well, it's yours now.