The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-10-12
hr;nu Won into bad company

But she won't let me JOIN Vic ohc"
if keep on living at home, said SUSIE
with an obstinate pout
"She's right: she's right, Susie. On!
say, do give up all this! What are
YOUR little brothers and sisters gong
to do without you? Why. they can
never 90 out at all if you go. No more
play for them-oh! say, Susie
Just then Mile paused and looked
with her infantile candor, full into the
faces of the two girls.
"Im going to have green peas Tor
dinner to-day, am. I've been good,
and nv mothers cooking the green
peas now"
Instantly the attention OF the two
was caught by the child's confidence
and beauty.
"Ain't she funny little thing?" said
Kate, kneeling beside the child.
II amt always good" said Mile,
gravely.
"Oh, l guess you amt ever very bad,
are your said Susie, looking down,
her pout lost in amusement, so faclle
was her disposition.
Mile pondered this seriously for
three seconds.
81 fret and worry my mother" she
replied, conscientiously, and looking
down with shame and wonder whether
her elders would speak to her after
such a confession. Both girls laughed
with delight in the child's pretty SIM
plicity.
Its very wrong for little girl to
fret her mother - that's what my
mother says" said Mile, stoutly per-
sisting.
And what if you was big girl?"
said Kate, not looking at Susie.
NO matter if was as big-;ls big
Mile paused and her eyes roved for
comparison-''as big as the engine
house." she ended, surprised by her
own imagination of attaining such
size.
You dear little girl! Whose girl
are you?" said Susie, trying to clutch
and kiss the child.
But at the tone of praise all Miles
joy came rushing back to her.
But now I'm good-and I'm going
to have green peas for dinner" cried
Mile. skipping with delight past
Susie's reach, and then strutting i'm
pOrtantly away.
AS the girls watched her their faces
were sweet with smiles of delight and
humor-smiles that gave them again
for few moments the looks Of their
less troubled childhood. When Kate,
turning, caught this look on Susie's
face u deeper satisfaction came into
her own.
We'll. let's go home, them" said
Susie, as Mile disappeared. wasn't
she dear little thing?"
Kate was too wise to risk any ref
erence to Susie's former mood, for
word of argument or moralizing might
stinacy by renewing her sense of the
monotony of home and the attractions
of the Bowery Paradise. All that Kate
said was:
"Let US have green peas for dinner,
Susie. If there amt any in the house
I'll run round to Mullen's, for sOme''
Yes, I'm good, too. now. Kate" said
Susie, with a look of tears antl smiles.
And I'm going to have green peas for
dinner" she cried, initiating the very
accents of Mile. skipping in her fash
ion and then strutting away impor-
family by Hates side.
Kate still said nothing.
Suddenly Susie stopped and looked
earnestly at her friend.
.'.The Bowery Paradise won't have
me for fairy, if you want to know,
Kate"
swell, I'm just as glad, Susie And
we're both going to have green peas
for dinner!''
Kates failure in attempting to imi-
tate Miles tone made Susie laugh
more than before, and the two went
happily away with arms round each
others waists.
Meanwhile Mile entered the little
kitchen where her mother stood with
the flushed face of toilful vet tr-
umphant cook
II guess dinner must be ready by
this time,'' said Mile
''It is" said her mother, and pointed
to the pine table, with two plates and
three dishes cleaning from it's coarse.
clean cloth. Mile, with a gleeful
smile, climbed into her own chair.
You must have. had quite long
walk" said her mother. as she took
the remaining chair. 81 s'pose you
stopped and talked to people: You gen
orally do, the neighbors tell me-
II talked to few people," answered
Mile, ''but I guess | forgot what !
said"
"Oh, I know, you little goose. =
laughed her mother, as she unc0vrre,i
the peas "You told them you were
going to have green peas for dinner
eyes" said Mile. with an int,,llec-
tual abstraction caused by whettcl ap-
petite. Il guess that's what | did tell
'em, but Amt quite sure II guess
l was pretty excited, ard didn't 'xactly
know just what | said.
Her mother laughed again, and
helped her generously from the dishfu]
OF peas. And Mile ate them with a
fine relish and in splendid norance
OF how wholesome and imp .rtant a
part they had caused her to play in the
mighty scheme of human cvents.-Ed.
gar Fawcett, in Youths Companion.
Genius Rewarded.
Congressman sometimes adopt quee,
expedients to gain the good will OF
their constituents. Years ago, a mem
Der from western state was afraid
| that his first term would be his last. as
he had not managed to make himself q
power in congress. While he was de-