Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-11-10
THE FIRST STRAWBERRY.

Mamma ana 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.
II 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, 81 begin to
feel hungry already"
80, Wen find berries and things in
the woods" said Winnie brightly. The
day was beautiful and she began to
think running away good fun.
Berries, WINNER" queried Marion,
the doubter. 81 looked all over the
strawberry patch yesterday, and not
one was ripe. And what other things
are there in 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 tendrils 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 navigators-M Marion had miscal
culated her distance, and was standing
ankle deep in water. Winnie had tc
change her course and go to the rescue,
and in reaching out to help Winnie e
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 ont in
the sun to dry.
1T seems long time since we left
home said Marion 81 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 I've 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."
II shouldn't wonder if Jack was
sorry for calling me a erybaby, yester-
day." reflected Marion.
II wish ! had written a will. " said
Winnie, turning the stockings, ''and
left my Robinson Crusoe to Maurice.
He always said that Aunt Eleanor
should have given it to him. because it
wasn't book for girl"
Are they nearly dry yet?" asked
Marion. I'D like to go on and find
some chewing birch. wish we had
put some crackers in our pockets I'll
never run away again without some
thing to eat"
Are you very hungry, dear?" asked
Winnie, pityingly well. these are as
dry and warm as toast. now. Put
them on and wen go and look for ber-
ries. / know the earliest spot in the
whole place for them. never told any
one before. because / like To get the
first one for mamma myself. You
shall have all that we find; so cheer up"
Boots and stockings on. Winnie led
the way to little knoll around an old
stump. Here a diligent search began,
and for ten minutes not word was
said.
I'm afraid there are none" Marion
said at last but next minute gave
little cry of delight. %, here's great,
great big one. as red as fire. Look.
Winnie. Let us hurry and bring it to
mamma"
what a beauty exclaimed Winnie.
''Come on.
The first strawberry was the great
event Of each season. and in the excite
ment Of the moment they forgot that it
was not to seek it they had started out
that morning They were half way
across the swamp before their original
purpose came to mind again, Winnie
was selecting an island for her next
jump when Marion called out;
but. Winnie, we didn't mean TO go
back at H.
She stood still
Neither we did. Now that We are