The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1893-07-11
BACK TO LIFE.

Brightly sparkled the sun on the
diamond panes Of the old fashioned
Kitchen window, and the fire cracked
Indignantly in the CRATE within. AT
the long wooden table stood Mother
Kimbo, with her old wrinkled face
lit up with smile.
Through the open window came
the merry sound of the school chill.
dren as they romped in the little vii.
lGge street and the sweet harmony
OF AChe sheep bells as the shepherd
leisurely drove his flock before him
Sbver the short brown grass which
Covered the sides of the stately downs
that Stretched away behind the farm.
Mother Kimbo was supposed'to be
peeling potatoes, but her mind was
far from her work. Presently she
turfsed round and faced her son, who
was smoking contentedly in the chin
ney corner.
II expect" said she in her quaint
Sussex drawl, "that she had better
go now"
"And I think that she hadn't bet
ter go at ALL" answered her son,
cramming his mouth with a huge
chunk of cheese.
ITS a pity like, the old lady an
s. s)wered, that my man didn't take
his dinner with him. 1t isn't often
he forgets it But some one will
have to carry it to him, and don't
see why Rhoda shouldn't manage it
She's that fond Of going on errands
too" s
John was too busy with his dinner
to say anything more, and the old
lady, finding he did not answer her,
went on:
Its unlucky like that you've to go
to the station, or you might take it.
Still, Rhodau do it all right"
She went ON with the potatoes for
awhile, and then putting down her
knife she walked into the little larder
and packed a basket of milk, bacon,
cheese and two huge chunks of bread,
With a little packet Of salt
Another moment the door opened
and tall girl of some IS summers
btaS@9into the room. She was very
beautiful Her auburn hair was fas-
tened loosely on her head, and a
bright snatle was on her lips.
k'Rhoda, " said the old lady in tone
-ofSmild reproof, "Rhoda, where have
yo1been all this timer"
''rve been climbing, auntie," cried
the girl brightly. "I've been reading
in the old cherry tree" .
"And did you think the plates
would wash themselves, child2" asked
the old lady trying to look severe.
A troubled look came across the
girls face.
what plates2' she asked in an air
of surprise, and then as if sudden
rush Of recollection:
"Why, ! declare forgot them al
together. will do them now. Oh,
Pm SO sorry, auntie y, and she threw
her arms round Mother Kimbo's neck.
.,Asuppose I'll 'asways have to do
that sort of work. " she said sorrow
fully, because hate it SO. Don't
you think so. auntiea Oh, how do
hate work!
With a look Of great tenderness
Mrs. Kimbo gently patted the girls
bright hair.
II expect you won't be, troubled
with work much this afternoon, las
sic, she said. I'm a-going to do the
dishes myself, and you're going to
carry uncle his dinner on the downs.
You'll go there straight end not loiter
on the way, now, won't you, dearie2"
NThe girls face light up with pleas
ure
"Ob. III love to gol" she cried joy
o,isly and chpping her hands like
Atle cLSid.
She slung me basket on her arm,
nd whisaing to the shepherd dog,
lHas sleeping in the sun outside,
dArted out of the lttfS gate,
bss; the strip. Of waste land and
San climbing the steep. slippery
|u1ns n& the dQwna
lother Ehnbo Stood at the window
IA watched the stixn, gsrlish figure
| IS she ctaEnbared hiIh6fy' up the
track. and wheq 81 iashehe went out