The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-21
THE FIRST STRAWBERRY.

tA'' h"hh6 A'N''-N'
THE FIRST STRAWBERRY.
What Brought Two Naughty Girls Back to
Mamma and supper.
Winnie and Marion were running
away. They had good reason they
thought. Had they not been called in
from an archery match with the boys
to mind the baby. And then, had they
not been scolded for being cross to him?
A few muttered whisperings while the
little fellow was falling asleep had de-
cided it all.
Il wish we had thought to put some
crackers in our pockets before we
started" said Marion, before they were
out of sight of the house, Il begin to
feel hungry already"
so, We'll find berries and things in
the woods" said Winnie brightly. The
day was beautiful and she began tc
think running away good fun.
Berries, Winnie?" queried Marion,
the doubter. 81 looked all over the
strawberry patch yesterday, and not
one was ripe. And what other things
are therein the woods that are good to
eat?"
"Well, there's" Winnie had to pause
there's birch bark for one thing.
Chewing birch, you know"
''Oh, yes, so there is" assented Ma
rion, treasured. She was fond of chew
ing birch.
"And sour sorrel," Winnie proceeded,
'and grape terdrils and young rasp-
berry shoots. Why, if it comes to the
worst, we needn't starve where there
are dandelion leaves
They had reached the foot of the hill
now, and a swampy piece of ground
had to be crossed. This gave an oppor-
tunity for what they called "navi-
eating" pastime of which they
were fond, but one which always
resulted in wet feet. A little
shrek soon announced that in jumping
from one island to another-the small
clumps of grass were islands" to these
young MISREPRESENTATION had miscal-
| culated her distance, and was standing
ankle deep in water Winnie had to
change her course and go to the rescue,
| and in reaching out to help Winnie to
| dry land she also got one foot into the
| water. Such adventures made the
delight and excitement of navigating.
In the pasture was a high and dry
ridge of land, and when they'got this
far they sat down, took off their boots
and stocking and spread them out in
the sun to dry.
at seems a long time since we left
home,' said Marion. Il suppose it's
about lunch time.
"They won't be thinking much OF
| lunch" said Winnie, a note of triumph
in her voice. "They will be searching
everywhere for us by this time, and
they will almost have given up hope OF
ever seeing us again. They'll wish they
had been better to U.S."
81 shouldn't wonder if Jack was
sorry for calling me a crybaby, yester.
day." reflected Marion.
81 wish l had written u will" said
Winnie, turning the stockings land
left my Robinson Crusoe to Maurice
He always. said that Aunt Eleanor
should have given it to him, because il
wasn't book for girl
Are they nearly dry yet?" asked
Marion. 'I'd like to go on and fine
some chewing birch. | wish we hat
put some crackers in our pockets. II
never run away again without some
thing to eat
Are you very hungry, dear?" asked
Winnie, pityingly. well. these are a,
dry and warm as toast, now. Pu
them on and well go and look for Der
ries. | know the earliest spot in thu
whole place for them. never told any
one before, because | like to get the
first one for mamma myself. 70,
shall have all that we find; so cheer up.
Boots and stockings on, Winnie lie,
the way to little knoll around an oil,
stump. Here a diligent search began
and for ten minutes not a word wa
said.
I'm afraid there are none" Marion
said at last. but next minute gave a
little cry of delight. -, here's great
great big one, as red as fire. Look
Winnie! Let us hurry and bring it tc
mamma"
"What beautyw exclaimed Winnie
"Come on"
The first strawberry was the grea
event of each season, and in the excite
ment of the moment they forgot that i
was not to seek it they had started on
that morning. They were half wal
across the swamp before their origina
purpose came to mind again. Winni
was selecting an island for her mex
Jump when Marion called out:
But, Winnie, we didn't mean to z
back at a IL.
She stood still.
Neither we did. Now that we ar