The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-07-18
DOUBLE DICK and JOE;
The Poorhouse Waits.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHATTER vi.
sHoRT-LIvED JOYS.

pattern on the carpet looked Driiliant
such beautiful, bright colors she hat
never seen on floor.
There was prodigious noise outside
Chickens were cackling and cackling,
cocks Growing. geese cackling, turkeys
gobbling, men shouting and calling tc
each other There was sound indoor;
"a rafting of pans and sound of dishes
and many feet moving.
Joe sat bolt upright. Everything was
so strange She did not know where she
was until she recalled her journey. She
had slipped out of her bed. was slipping
quietly into her clothes, when suddenly
a head was thrust in the door.
"Oh. you are up. Well, you'll find
some things on the chair over there, and
ali apron.
Then the head was withdrawn.
The voice was Samanthas 1t was
sharp and disagreeable. Joe did no,
ike It, But she turned to the chair,
where she found a brown stuff dress. a
world too vide and much too long for
her j he sleeves were so long they
came down over her hands. When she
was faily in the dress she gave herself a
shake
~Humph. | feel like-like a granny
IN THIS | suppose I've got to wearit.
I'd rather have my old one-but here
goes
She turned up the sleeves and put the
apron on and tied it Then she discovered
it vas wrong side out She turned 1t,
and wondered if she did not look like a
woman. Then she walked down to the
k hen
You are here, are you?" said Mrs
Wonder "Go out and bring in the pans
the chicken feed was in. Wash them
out-clean, mind; then wash the milk
pals, and mind you scald them with no,
water.
Joe, who was very quick witted, won
dered how they could be scalded with cold
water, but She obcyed the orders prompt
" Samantha observed her critically,
then deliberately washed the feed pans
and scalded the pals.
"Now, maybe you can do it the next
time
one or two of the farm hands Were
looking on. They were waiting for the 1
breakfast, and Joe bushcd for shame.
The men ate breakfast first. Mr.. Jot
Wonder was so busy he did not see Joe
for good while. Then he asked her
abruptly:
well. how'd you sleep last night?
Tooty good, reckon My wife's beds
amt exalted in Acorn County: leaStwise
] never lind none Ike en-. "
81 slept very well, thank you," said
Joe with burning cheeks.
When the men were gone, Mrs. Won
der, Samantha, two girls that were here,
there. everywhere Joe thought, at once,
aud Joe sat down to the table. The
breakfast was not as bountiful as the
supper: but there was more on the table,
and IA greater variety, than Joe had ever
beheld on Mr.. Ieke Gapers private ia
bic, of which She had obtained many
gimpScS in passing his rooms.
When breakfast was over. Joe. with
out being prompted, was helping To wash
the dishes, when Mrs Wonder told hcl
t. drive the COWS down the lane into the
meadow, and put the bars up after them.
Joe Went about her task like one who
understood il. One little COW, brindle
with crumplcd horns refused TO follow
tie others. She turned on Joe. and Joe
retrelted precipitatcly Again and
again Joe returned IL the charge. ans
the cow with the crumpled horns inyar
lib drove Eer back.
Finally, when She was a little fright
ened, she picked up a stone, threw it.
hit the COW on the horn, and brindiC
ahout-faced and trotted into the meadow
after her fellows. When Joe returned
to the house, she was pcrSpiring witt
her eNcrtiOuS
There was n curious twinkle in tho
other girls EYES. and even Mrs Wonder
seemed to be trying 10 keep her coun
tenance. Samantha Snorted ont:
"lou let brindle get ahead Of You
Soll.y got t. make the cows mind yor
Il you'll make your salt in the coun
try miss"
w hat must | do now?" Joe asked Mrs
Wonder
Mrs. Wonder gave her numerous or
derS. They Wee 20 many that Jos
Thought it impossible to perform the Gu
ties in one day. But She oheyed her in
struetions TO the best Of her ability
Then to her surprise She found She hat
abundance Of time
Awaiting herself of the opportunity
Size stole ont To tho Darn where tn,
chickens Mere hunting food Then she
ran dowl u the brook, and watched til,
GRrhs aud geese playing in the pond,
made for them.
Suddenly She remembered her banjo
and accordion.
To return to the house. get her treas
ureS, and slip out the back way, ant
make a circle To the Sarn occupied les
than fifteen minutes.
i can play here, and No one will hear
mo- said Joe to herself gayly as 81.
fllnmmed the ban q, and hummed :
Song. Then She tried the wheezy ole
accordion by way Of variety. When sh,
satisfied herself she had found a hidins
plate for these treasures, She concea .,
them. AM returned 10 the farm house
where Samantha contriyed to find worl
for her
She placed a pile of carpet-rags befor,
her. instructed her how 10 sew them
and For Joe was left acne with tn,
rags
When Job Wonder entered the hous,
in the middle Of the afternoon, h,
found Joe lying with her head againS
her chair. fast asleep, her needle lyins
i'll her lap.
lob called his wife What makes
you set her 10 sewing them rags
Il didn't do ii. :
Where's Samanthy?- Samanthy's did
II then
What is il now?" Samantha asked
com ng in.
Job don't want the new girl 10 b,
Killed with work, reckon" said Mrs
Wonder, scornfully.
faint that. ezackly-only | wan
yon to break her in easy like. She ain :
used 10 st.ddy work
We'll, she'll learn il If She lives here,
responded Samantha tartly.
Now. Samanthy, You 80 slow. Nv,
some say here | reckon"
You wouldn't. then. if | was you,
wife I'd not have any man meddlin' il
the house +"
Job felt i'll n ease lie was not auit,
sure lie had zone right bring ng a cir
home from the poorh1nse But he con
troled himself aud walked out
Poor Joe, who was wide awake nov
the conversation aroused herr. from
that moment disliked Samantha fully a
much as Samantha disliked her.
In time She began 10 feel more a
home At the end Of 4 week she knew
and called every farmland BY his name
knew the names OF the horses and cows
and learned, like the others, 10 cal
samantha "a crank,
Bgt She made many notifying mis-
Roth ba uarpar, 10 ha,