Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-07-12
How the Girls Managed.

Farmer hammond prlded NM
self on being fair" man, will
ing to give everybody his due" and
yet he was unjust to the sensitive
girls growing up around his hearth
There were four of them-Lou
Ada, Rose and Villa. They clune
about their mother, feeling instinct
lively that father did not like to
have them near him. He gave
them plenty of calico dresses in
summer, dressed them warmly in
winter, and sent them to school
There was not much outdoor work
required Of them. They usually
cared for the hens, and occasional
ly in haying they were called upon
to rake after the cart"
Hammond farm was really a
dismal place. Fences were down
the house was unpainted, in fact
everything told of neglect, while
Mr.. Hammond was always lament
ing because his children were all
girls.
Mrs. Hammond lost her cheer
fulness, and crept about the house
with frightful look.
you are altogether too humble,
mamma" said Lou, one hot, July
day. IL don't understand how you
can be so calm. There's papa hang
ing to the fence as usual, and be-
wailing his sad fate. Id like to
manage his farm six months"
WED have garden, wouldn't t
we, Lou2' said Ada.
And bees" added Rose.
I'D be glad to work in the gar
den," chimed Villa, who was thir-
teen, and did not fancy housework.
ITS no use to complain, girls, :"
said the tired, discouraged mother;
I'VE must bear things as they are"
II am going away" said Lou.
where are you going, my dear,
incurred her mother.
"I'm going to Buxton to do
housework for Mrs. John White, ="
was the decided reply.
But she didn't. Fate had other
plans for her, and she was obliged
to accept them.
Charles Hammond fell from a
ladder in his barn, and the result
was IA badly fractured leg. Ankle
ly and fretting brought on high
fever, and for weeks his life hung
upon slender thread. What was
to be done?
Remember" said the doctor, Ito
keep him quiet. Absence from all
care is all that can save his life. "
"But who will harvest the crops?"
moaned Mrs. Hammond.
I'VE will" said Lou, with IA
sweep of her hand to include her
three sisters.
That's it, Lou! | always knew
you had courage" cried the doctor,
who had known her all her life, ad-
miringly.
"But how can voup" responded
Mrs. Hammond.
Mamma, papa has talked so
much, that even you think girls are
worthless" said Lou calmly; "but
you shall see, both of you. Come
with me, girls, and we will lay our
plans
Charles Hammond recovered
slowly. And when at last he was
able to sit in an armchair by the
window, he looked over his fields
with a gloomy brow. He rubbed
his eyes and looked again. The
forest was clad in its autumn dress,
and the fields were bare, but the
clean surface of the ground showed
that the harvesting had been prop
erly done. And more than that
the fences were in perfect repair.
BY the barn stood a new building,
the home of a dozen handsome
Plymouth Rock hens, and in the
orchard were several beehives.
Among the apple trees, now loaded
with ripe fruit, were four girls,
busily engaged in picking and
packing the surplus. Moreover
the smell of paint came through
the open windows, for house and
shed shone in a new dress.
"Wellw cried Mr.. Hammond
sharply, "what does this mean
We're in debt of course"
No" returned his wife. Lou
will pay the painter when she gets
the apples to market, and that is
the last bill. The grain is all in
tho harm and there are three hun-