The Press., 1891-11-26

before he died, and the sunny slope and sandy soil had given a fair return for the outlay There was half an acre in asparagus, now beginning to bear royalty, another half acre in straw berries, white with blossoms but weedy and neglected in part, as Burns was but slow worker and had only his two clumsy hands to aid him Quick as fash Agnes had settled it in her own mind that she must have boy to set to work on the strawberry bed The big patch of early peas looked we'll. and there was now a handsome show of lettuce under frames. The garden was in better condition than she had hoped to find it. and Agnes exulted She felt rise within her an infinite faith in her own practical ability. New energy and life seemed to flow to the tips of her capable fingers. She was her fathers child, with gift for getting lever under the world and not most of her family belonged
 Now s~r the chicken yard and the barn i.c meant to have the whole business thoroughly mastered before the end of the week. The barn and old sheds were as slovenly as such places usually are before the light of science has shone in on the benighted brain of the agriculturist- A few forlorn barn yard fowls pecked in the refuse and reek of the inclosure where two Alderney cows were penned after milking. and little white and tan calf. with the sweet milk dripping from it's innocent nose, fo so coat Agnes had been studying book on hen culture. and had planned chicken house on improved principles for which Burns had been drawing lum- ber, and the new pine boards piled about gave a fresh resinous smell. The old red barn had not been repaired for years, and water came through the patched roof Agnes looked at 1t all with critical glance. and reflected on the probable cost of new top to the crazy cid structure
 Her saddle horse, Selim. neighed in the stall when he heard her step, and stretch ed his glossy neck and looked about with a fiery. untaned eye. He was coal black animal, beautiful in form, and with a dash of Arab blood in his veins Agnes had been able to retain him among her personal effects, as he had been one of the last gifts her father had ever made her. Though thoroughbred to the last fiber, Selim was gentle under the saddle and fleet as the wind. He had never known the indignity of 8 harness. Now, as Agnes approached, Selim whinnied and stretched out his slender neck to be caressed. She patted his nose and laid her cheek on his satin hide, and spoke softly to him in language that he under stood
 ''Poor Selim, how will you like being harnessed to the market cart to drag loads into Littlefeld; you proud, sensi- tive, thin skinned creature, and yet it is what you are coming to my bonny nag But today Is our own and you shall carry me like bird over the land.''
 John Burns came out at her Indian whoop and Selim was saddled. Instantly Agnes leaped upon his back, scorning all assistance and not in the least minding the short skirt of her blue serge, in fact, rather exulting in it as means of greater freedom in sweeping over logs and ditches
 '.That gal will break her neck yet" said Burns, as he stood looking after her as she flew over the fields. making the smallest matter of brook or a stone wall
 You'd better be seein after that in- cumbater," said his wife, who had come out to place some milk pans on edge in