The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-12-19
TALL JANE

Mn Ward
AYes, I do"
why, it's larger than yourn-"
II know it. She's taller than be.
Ehes grown all out of everything lately.
I've let down tucks an hens, an pieced
at the top, an now her pink gingham is
most up to her knees. had to buy her
this new so she'd look decent to go to
school. Jane, come here minute"
Then Jane came in hesitatingly. Her
small head, with its mat of fair hraids,
dropped forlornly, her slender shoulders
were bent. She pulled down her pink
skirt neryouslY, trying to make it longer.
Stand up here side of me-" ordered
her mother. 81 want Mrs. Mason 10 see
how much taller you be-"
James pretty young face flushed pink.
She stood beside her mother, and the
tears started in her eyes, although she
tried to smile.
'fYou can't get through the door If you
don't stop pretty soon, Jane" laughed
Mrs. Mason, who was visiting the Wards.
II never see such sight. An she amt
over fourteenY
''She amt fifteen till next month" re-
piled Mrs. Ward An If she don't git her
growth till she's eighteen I don't know
where she'll be. Her father tells her he's
goin to hire her out by an by for tel
egraph POLE"
Jane laughed feebly when her mother
and Mrs. Ward did. Then she stole back
70 the doorstep, and the tears rolled down
her cheeks It was nearly time for her
TO start to school. Presently her mother
came with her dinner pail "Here's
your dinner" said she. you'd better
start before long, 90 as not to hurry. It's
q pretty warm mornAn."
Yes'm." said Jane. She kept her
face turned away from her mother 80
her tear stained eyes should not be no
ficed.
You shall have your new dress to wear
tomorrow" said her mother as she final
~ started with her school books under
her arm and the dinner pail swinging.
You shan't wear that short thing
again"
Jane tugged at her pink dress skirt as
she went out Of the yard; she even
stopped a little to make it look longer.
Nobody knew how sore James heart was
slTex her height. She had mile to walk
~ school, and she never thought Of any
fling else all the way.
Presently she came to large white
eouse, with crabapple tree in the front
gard. Mary Eta and Maria Starr lived
there, and she saw the futter of their
blne dresses at the gate. They were
waiting for her.
"Hullor' said Mary Eta as Jane drew
near.
~HulloP' responded Jane, trying to
make her voice cheerful
Maria was eating crabapple and did
not say ''hullor' but presently both she
and her sister stared wonderingly at
Jane.
whats the matter" asked Mary Eta
finally.
'sNothin's the matter"
Yes there is too. You've been cryin."
Jane said nothing.
''She's mad said Maria.
Mary Eta fingered. whats the
NATTER she asked again, quite lovingly.
'1Nothin's the matter. wish you'd
let me alone" cried Jane, with burst
OF tears. That was enough. Mary Eta
and Maria hurried up the road, with curt
switches of their blue starched skirts,
md Jane plodded miserably on behind.
Poor Jane was the tallest girl In school,
md not only that, but the tallest scholar:
not one Of the boys was as tall as she,
md not only that, but she was taller
I'm the teacher. It did seem to Jane
et the committee ought to have chosen
nteacher who was taller, just out Of re-
Fa TO the becoming and suitable ap-
nxance Of the school A stranger
5eht almost have taken her for the
char, especially since her hair was
c11e up.
hen the bell had rung, Jane sat at
desk, her pink shoulders and her
kYs pink face above all the others.
locked like tall. pink hollyhock in
= - % daisies. This was trying mo-
toF her. The committee came to
ne school, and strange gentle
1& ma his wife came with them.
~ distinctly saw this strange lady
l,er white plumed head toward her,
hisper TO her husband. Then she
him look at her and ask one Of the
tbeemen who that tall girl was.
oild tel what he said BY the mo-
rs his bps Then he told his wife,
little smile stole over her serene
Rem Its soft curls of black hair.
fh0ught abe was Laughing at her.
not dream that the Lady had no
because her face was SO pretty,
beCause she was 80 tall.
3ecExzphy class came and the Wis
stdM there. Jane fled ont with
ehe thought she had her lesson
&, but shs missed in bounding
md hid to go down. a little
f 81 3 long slseved apron went
HE had 8 conviction that the
ying, "Whatl that great,
np SirI with her hair done
= ~ ell6s.e,n hs.-,,, ~ = -