The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-03-30
A HOME MISSIONARY.
How Pcly's Hopes Of Doing Great
Things Were Realized

in pinafOreS of being a missionary on
''the burning plains of India" like
Harriet Newell; of going to nurse
wounded soldiers fighting in grand
cause. like Florence Nightingale; OF
leading great crusade against wrong,
like frances Willard. But there seemed
little probability that these dreams
would be realized.
A. the age of sixteen she was Just
plain Polly Hopkins. with snub nose
and irec.iles. Not that she was an
ugly girl; by no means. She was as
fresh and wholesome as peach that
has ripened in a sunny garden. Her
figure was good. her teeth were white
and even, and her hair, though it was
undcniably red. was rich and album
dant. But Polly was dissatisfied with
the likeness reflected by her little look
ing-glass She adored great black
flashing eyes, and raven locks, and
pallor. and classical features. Nobody
would ever take her for a heroine. she
was sure. She was. in her own estimar
ton, much better fitted to be milk
maid.
But Polly suddenly began to look
less in the glass and more at her duty
as daughter and sister. She had been
to the village circulating-library, one
day. and was returning through the
one long street of Bakerville, on her
way to the little red cottage where
1.-THE Hopkinses" lived She had 'The
Wide, Wide World" in her hand, and
was reading its first pages with the
same interest that girls used to feel
forty years ago in the fascinating
story. Suddenly she heard her pa
tronymic pronounced by an unfamiliar
voice.
"Hopkins?" said another voice
YES" was the reply, George Hop
kins He's a limb, an no mistake.
shouldn't be at all surprised if he was
concerned in that post Office business.
There was q chestnut tree on the
other side of the wall that skirted the
street, and somebody was looking for
nuts, unaware that the conversation
was being overheard.
Polly's heart seemed to stop beating
for an instant. then to go plunging on
rs if it would suffocate her. That post
office business! Well she knew to
what the gossip referred. The pest
Office had been robbed not long before
of an insignificant sum-five or ten dol
lars-and it was currently reported
that certain boys were implicated in
the affair.
There were boys in Baskerville. rs in
all villages, who had the reputation OF
being scamps and scalawags-boys who
robbed watermelon patches MIXED
COWS on the sly, stoned the windows OF
vacant houses. and frightened lone wom-
en- out of their seven senses. Polly had
never dreamed that George was one OF
of these; she did not now believe it; yet
where there is much smoke there must
be some fire. George must have been
associating with companions that he
would be ashamed of If he were found
with them. He must have secrets from
his sister and mother. How far he had
ZONE in forbidden paths Polly had no
means Of guessing. She could not con-
f3dc her trouble to her mother, for she,
Door ladyi was an invalid from heart
trouble, and had to be guarded from
al excitement
All that l have written flashed
through the girls mind in the moment
after hearing her brothers name pro-
nounced by the unknown nutters She
hurried home, her book forgotten, her
mind full of new and terrible fear.
Polly had q stanch and wise friend.
one of her teachers in the high school,
Miss Weymouth. To her she went
with her trouble, the next day. School
was over, and Miss Weymouth pro-
posed q walk.
1--WE can talk as we 60 along" she
said. "The fresh cir will help US to n
wise conclusion. One is always little
moro sane under the open Sky, |
think"
1t was q crisp November day, with
nothing dreary in its aspect The
grass was still lush and green. here
and there a belated buttercup showed
golden disk. blue asters still clustered
by the old lichened walls, the chicka-
does were calling cheerily in the grove
that the friends approached. and 4
partridge whirred suddenly IS they
passed in among the oaks and ever
greens.
81 am glad you have walked up" said
the teacher, suddenly.
Walked up"" echoed Polly.
Eyes. from your dreams of PARKWAY
exploits. of missionarying, and preach
ing, and nursing imaginary heroes"
Don't you believe it is noble thing
TO be a missionary"
''Oh! yes, by all means; but not nee
essarily a foreign missionary. The
home field has its claims. too; pressing
claims. in many instances"
''You mean there is work for me to
10 at home" said Polly. Then she told
Miss Weymouth all she had heard.
George needs a sister," said the
lady. looking intently into Polly's anS'
lous face.
"Tell me. Miss Weymouth. what can
do?"
''Fascinate him. Make home &C
bright. SO beautiful. that it will eclipse
every other place. Has he any special
taSteS?"