The Opelousas courier., 1892-08-13

and worst behaved boy in school, had
been let off from his d1urnal half hours
detention, under solemn bonds of never
offending again IN the bent pin and spit4
ball question, and Miss Merritt was
drawing a long sigh of relief, when the
door few open with a jerk, and Irene
Evans came in, carrying a bundle Of
books.
Miss Merritt opened her eyes.
"Why, Irene, I thought you must ba
sick" said she. "You have Mt been in
school for two days"
Irene was tall and shapely, with large
blue eyes, black hair gresElng low on her
brows, and very red cheeks. Her Calico
gown fitted her badly, and the ribbons,
on her coarse straw hat were faded in the
sun, and spotted by many a shower.
mo-" said she, jerking out the
words somewhat as she had ierked open
the door, 81 amt sick. But I amt
comm to school any mere. Father, he
says it's a waste o. time"
sob, Irenel"
The girl sat down on one Of the hacked
and Whitfield benches and burst into
tears.
eff l knew anywhere to rum" said
she, 'Pd run away. Yes, / would.
Father don't treat me more'n half de-
cent, and he hain't, since mother died.
| amt nothin' but a drudge, and / hain't
no clothes to wear, and he won't pay me
a cent wages, beg and implore as I will.
And I'd sort o set my heart on takin'
summer boarders this year, like Ellen
Holt did last season, but he says he's
hired extra farm hands, an I've got to
cook for EN- for nothin'. Oh, Miss Mer.
rift, what shall / do2"
Miss Merritt smoothed down the black,
crinkly hair with a kindly touch, as she
stood over the girls dropping form.
"But, %Irene," said she, ssif he puts al
this additional work upon you, he surely
should allow you some Of the profits"
Irene gave a short laugh.
"Catch himi" said she. "He Jus
won't!"
'Irene," said Miss Merritt, shaver
always heard that half the farm was
y%ours2"
SIT was Mothers" said Irene. III
was only mornerg nusDand, 70,
know, and their farms joined. It's mins
by will. But father he don't care moth
ing about wills"
'sIsn't there an old house on tn
placea"
Eyes," Irene answered. .But it ain
so modern as the one we live in. Faith
er's always talkin' about lettin' it t
some O. them Swede farmers up north Q
here"
sis it in tolerable repairap
"For all know it u.s." Irene an
swered.
"Then why don't you ft it up and 6
into the boarder business yourself
You're eighteen and past, for all your
30 behind in your rule Of three and geog
raphy. And you are IN excellent COO
and a good housekeeper, and you'v
managed Tor Mr.. PARSONS ever since you
mother died"
"Me!" gasped Irene; TALL alone2s
81 would come and be your frs
boarder," said Miss Merritt. my pres.
emit home is too far to walk, now that ths
warm weather has set in. / must max,
some change
aBut ] amt got no furniture sal,
the girl.
81 will lend you a little toward that, ;
smiled Miss Merritt. 81 can take it on
IN board afterward. ssMatsing for th
floors, and cheap pine furniture canno
cost much. City boarders care NOR
ar fresh milk, plenty Of fruit and stric
cleanliness than they do for Style
Irene's eyes sparkled.
1.-TWO Of the Jersey cows is mine,
said she. sAnd there's an early straw
berry pasture on the side hill just beyon,
the old house, and lots o. blackberr
tangles all along the river shore. d
you think We could venture, Mics Me-
rista''
81 don't know why not said th
school teacher, r~efectively.
"Whstin roarsd old Msdsd Parsons
when cha dRst load of furnituga uaxsss