Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-09-24

ls 1t not lovely day." che said.
"Mrs. Hadyn will be here in a mo-
ment. VIII you come indoors. or do
you prefer tho vernnda? The air is so
lovely"
"Thank you," said the lady. 81 will
not go in. I just stopped by for mo-
ment"
They seated themselves in the rock
that followed jessie longcd for Mrs.
Haydn's arrival.
II suppose may as we'll tell you
what stopped about" said Mis- Im-
ogen, as most of the county called her,
though she had been married for thirty
years.
Eyes, indeed" murmured jessie
"Can do anything for you9 should
30 like to-"
mo, but have been talking with
several Of our friends about your rid
ing that-that-"
my bicycle" supplied Miss Jessie,
as Mrs. Preston did not seem able to
bring herself even to pronounce the OBJ
jectionable word.
YES" Mrs Preston answered, in a
relieved voice, ''and we think 1t is
hardly dignif1ed, hardly ladylile, SO to
speak, my dear Miss Jessie, for you to
use It going to your school duties, or
anywhere else, In fact, holding the
position that you do"
II would not do it for the world if
thought it undignified, Mrs. Preston"
Jessie answered, strengthening her
little figure and ccasing to rock.
Nov II 1t were horse" said the
lady, 'it would be different. The wom-
en- of the Prestons, the Phillips and
the Payson-Smiths have always ridden,
but not one of them has been seen on
IA bicycle"
"But, you see, I cannot afford q
horse or to keep one If had 1t, and
my uncle gave me this wheel partic-
ularly to use in going to school, for
the walk is very long for me twice 9
day"
''Of course, of course, but one must
think Of appearances. A woman must
always consider them, and wc decided
that some one had better speak to you
and advise you to give it up, if you
wish to continue to hold your present
position in our school"
II do not think shall give it up"
said the girl, slowly, until can see
the harm in it."
The lady rose, and just then Mrs.
Hadyn appeared, with Peggy towering
in the background, benring u tray Of
tea and cakes; but for once the colonels
lady did not wait to partake, though
she thanked Mrs. Haydn cffusivcly,
and she left, not altogether satisfied
with the impression she had made.
The little school-teachcr was SO gentle
that sitting on her did not seem to
affect her at all; she was Us placid and
sweet afterward rs before. But it did
affect her, although she rode to school
again the next day, and when tho les
sons were all over, and she had dis
missed the class she was tutoring, she
laid her sunny brown head on the desk
before her and cried softly. She was
afraid she would have to give it up,
after all She could not afford to
throw away the position she held, and
she did not see any chance of convinc-
Ing the social leader of Harmon that
riding bicycle was entirely compatf.
BILE with her school duties and the dig.
nifty Of her position. twas ono Of her
greatest pleasures, and It seemed hard
that from simple prejudice she should
be deprived of 1t. OF course, IL wa.
foolish to cry, but she was very tire5
AS she sat there alone some ono
came into the room, and, seeing the lit
tie teachers distress, went softly up tc
her.
1t was Cary Phillips, one of the boys
getting ready for college, a tall, sturdy
fellow of seventeen, afraid of nothing,
always in some scrape,. but with big
generous heart, and unable to see any
one In trouble without Offering hi.
help and sympathy
Come, Miss JESSIE" he said, stand
ing bit awlswardly beside her
won't you tell a fellow what is the
matter?"
She looked up smiling, ashamed Of
her tears.
II have got to give 1T up, guess,
she sale.
What do you mean-your bicycle2'
She nodded, her lips quivering lit
tie. She was scarcely more than {
child herself,
What ior?" he asked. II though
they had been badgcring you about it
| 1t is n shame"
Then She told him o the call she hat
received, and that it was practically
question OF losing her position if sh,
persisted in riding.
1 IIe sfood n rr;),, hocilo ~, ,-,t%%:u<
his brows and drumming Impatient,
on the desk.
Everybody is riding north, men
women and little children. and if SOM
one else would only do it here the,
would not notice me-"
The big follow stood lost in thought
seeming not to have heard her words
but in reality they had given him al
idea Suddenly ho burst out laugh
ing.
Miss Jessie, If you will give ME tina
wheel for a month, in exchange for m
horse, Butterfly, and his keep, vii
promise to let you have it back at tn
end Of that time, to ride undisturbe
for the rest of your life, and If fai
to keep my promise you can keep But
terly."
''Oh, Cary, how good of you'll Bu
what are yon going to do?" she said.
"Never mind; is 1t bargain2" II
put out his hand, and they shook hand
on it, and Cary carried the wheel of
promising to send Butterfly aroun,
that night and that ono of his mel
should take care of him for her.
Cary was riding the bicycle well b.
the next day, and the report had got
ten about, without anyone seeming t