Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-08-05

"hNs "OiSs oCueNcu pOJ III SCHOOL, nau
been let of from his dIurnal half hours
detention, under solemn bonds of never
offending again IN the bent pin aud spit
ball question, and Miss Merritt was
drawing long sigh of relief, when the
door flew open with jerk, and Irene
Evans came in, carrying bundle of
books.
Mas Merritt opened her eyes.
"Wby, Irene, 1 thought you must be
SICK" said she. "You have not been in
school for two days"
Irene was tall and shapely, with large
blue eyes, black hair growing low on her
brows, and very red cheeks. Her calico
gown fitted her badly, and tho ribbons
on her coarse straw hat were faded in the
sun, and spotted by many shower.
"No," said she, jerking out the
words somewhat as she had jerkcd open
the door, ~ amt sick. But 1 amt
comm to school any mere. Father, he
says it's waste O. time"
ooh, Irene"
The girl sat down on one of the hacked
and whitfield benches and burst into
tears.
''If 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.
I amt nothin' but drudge, and hain't
no clothes to wear, and he won't pay me
q cent wages, beg and implore rs ( 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 'cm for nothin'. Oh, Miss NIer-
rift, what shall dot"
Miss Merritt smoothed down the black,
crinkly hair with kindly touch, as she
stood over the girls dropping form.
"But, Irene," said she, "if he puts all
this additional work upon you, he surely
should allow you some of tlie profits"
Irene gave short laugh.
"Catch him?' said she. "Ho Just
WON'T"
"Irene," said Miss Merritt, "haven't
always heard that half the farm was
yours2"
sit was mothcr's," said Irene. "He
was only mothers second husband, you
know, and their farms joined. It's mine
by will. But father he don't care moth.
ing about Wills"
'Isn't there an old house on the
placcl"
eyes" Irene answered. "But it ain t
so modern as the one VIC live in. Faith.
er's always talkin' about lettin' it to
some O. them Swedc farmers up north O.
here"
''Is it in tolcrablc rcpairl"
"For all know it is" Irene an
swered.
''Thcn why don't you fit it up and 90
into the boarder business yourself2
You're eighteen and past, for all you're
so behind in your rule of three and geog.
raphy. And you are an excellent cook
and a good housekceper, and you've
managed for MIR. Parsons ever since your
mother died"
''Mc" gasped Irene; call alone2'
81 would come and be your first
boarder," said Miss Merritt. "My pres
ent home is too far to walk, now that the
warm weather has SET in. must make
some change"
"But amt got no furniture" said
the girl.
81 will lend you a little toward that, Z"
smiled Miss Merritt. 81 can take it out
in board afterward. Mating for the
floors, and cheap pine furniture cannot
cost much. City boarders care more
for fresh milk, plenty OF fruit and strict
cleanliness than they do for style"
Irene's ewes snarkIed
"Two of the Jersey COWS is mine, ("
said she. "And there's nn carly straw
berry pasture on the side hill just beyond
the old house, and lots O. blackberry
tangles all along the river shore. DO
you think VIC could venture, Miss Mer.
ritta'
~ don't know why not" said the
school teacher, relectivcly.
"Whatw roared old Medad Parsons,
when the first load of furniture passed
undpr thn willnya alone, fho rood 10