Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-03-22
Knna's $3.50
Cultivation.

ENSIl pOuN = ZIP CuTleu Win HlnuSV-
ment when they first saw her, Such
funny little woman, and such
funny costume, and to crown it all,
such funny complacent air rs she
had. Anna Johnson had been married
only recently; her sister wanted her
to have white hat, and dress in light
colorS, as she thought all brides should,
whatever their age or complexion.
But Anna knew white was not be,
coming to her. She had spent too many
hours over the cook stove for that;
as for the light colors, she compro-
missed by putting in her electric blue
silk dress Il black silk front, plaided
with narrow bands of blue and yellow;
over this combination she wore long
tan-colored cloak, and her black as
trakhan cap was frightened by n large
pink bow on one side. Days when
Anna went to take music lessons. she
carried n crimson plush music roll
embroidered with blue forget-me-nots.
with green leaves, and the words, "NIrs
A. j." for Anna had waited so long to
be married that she wasn't going to
mae the tact from anyone,
| Anna had always been a girl in some
body'S kitchen, until within few
months, when her old lover came back,
and they We're married She had done
well, everyone said; and a more faith
full man than Andrew Johnson could
not have been found She and Andrew
had been engaged for fifteen years and
she was now thirty-tiye They were
we'll suited to each other at the begin
ming OF the engagement, when Andrew
went west His business was farming
and he had carried 1t on In several
states. He was very unfortunatc His
crops were ruined three times by the
grasshoppers in Kansas; he then pull
ed up stakes" and went to Dakota,
but two dry seasons there. and being
obliged to pay number OF back taxes
on his farm took all his money. and
drove him from Dakota.
He then driftcd out to Washington,
and after years of hard work and
strict economy, he purchased small
fruit farm. He had almost given up
making that pay, when the coming of
a railroad and the founding of Il town
right on his farm made his fortune.
Not stopping n moment longer than he
was obliged to. he started straight for
Anna, sure of n welcome and was not
disappointed, though surprised not to
see the rosy-cheeked, slender girl that
he had left. But with his accustomed
honesty, he never thought of not mar
rying her, for had she not been true
to him during all his disappointment?
So Anna became Mrs. Johnson, and
she thought her cup Of happiness was
full. Poor things! They thought they
needed only riches to make them as
good as anyone! But too soon they
found there was difference, and the
servants discovered it long before they
did Anna did not know how to oc-
dering through the beautiful rooms, ex-
aiming all the beautiful things, and
thinking, These are all ours" and
she could not ride alone all day; she
would not ask any Of her old ac-
quaintances to ride with her, and she
did not dare to ask anyone that she
considered "her equal"
She began to take music lessons.
How funny the short, fat fingers
looked, trying to stretch an octave,
and how tired she got practicing; her
back ached, and her head swan. "Oh"
she often thought, II had rather scrub
the kitchen floor than practice for ten
minutes, but, Andrew says, must
cultivate myself, and then can go
with the upper crust / wonder what
upper crust means. Is It like the
upper crust to pie? ] always thought
the part between the crusts was the
best"
But taking music lessons did not fit
her for the society she craved. She
had nothing to talk about. The only
thing she knew (hOusework) was to
booed In the society to which she now
aspired; and she was obliged to exc.
else all her powers OF self-control 10
keep from turning fiery red when the
conversation turned on servant x1rls,
and their "Impudent ways" as II nj.
most always did when Anna had
fashionable call, which happened oc.
easionally.
Andrew got on bette.. He became
acquainted with the msn In business
way, and on account OF his many ex-
perlences, was abe to contribute his
share OF the conversation. One day he
said, Lets have some company;
what is the use In having this great
house and all this china. and just we
two al the time"
But who shall we inyitcT asked
Anna II won't ask Mary and Emma
anderson. nor Jennie or Maggie, and
can't invite Mrs. Van Rensselaer,; she
would be laughing at me all the time.
although she would never show II: and
who can we askT'
well how are we ever going to get
into society," asked Andrew. but Anna
could not answer, She wished she
could cry, but she had been denied