Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-10-25
THE PAUPER PUMPKIN

| she liked the sun because it mad,
things grow.
$50 does the rain. but we can't stanC
too much of it," laughed Mr.. Allan
The crops look pretty we'll soaked"
1t was now or never with Polly, Sc
she said:
MY crop is looking lovely, an | think
it's most ripe
Mr.. Allan looked amused.
Your crop. hey: What is it-pop
CORN"
III you would please come and tel
me what it is, said Polly. earnestly
Maybe It's a cokenut. but maybe il
amt"
"COcoanut. Don't set your heart on
it. for they don't grow round here: but
We'll see" said Mr. Allan. as he rose.
Polly led the way eagerly, pointing
her finger as they neared the huge ball
BLESS the child. its pumpkin" ex-
claimed Mr.. Allan.
"A pun'kin:" repeated Polly. expect
ant. rs it good to eat-inSide:"
y
Allan asked. looking astonished.
Not very well" said Polly, humbly
I'VE don't have pie"
We'll. people say it's unhealthy. and
suppose your mother knows what's
best for you. 1t isn't ready to pick
yet" he continued. feeling it carefully
Il knew this was good ground. and |
told Norton it ought to bring bigger
price. Such fancy sized vegetables
prove il"
'Who owns the field:' Polly asked
quickly.
The town owns il now 1t was my
brothers, but he left it to me- / live
out in Kansas. and my wife and | came
more land at the poorhouSe, and ii was
a good chance to SELL
Mr.. Allan'S eyes were rowing over the
field. and he did not note the changing
expression of Polly's face; but he was
concerned when he did look, and heard
Il voice quivering with disappointment
say:
Then its a pauper pun kin-a poor
house puu'kin. after ALL
1t was not long before Mr.. Allan
learned not only the history of the pau
per pumpkin, but of pauper Polly her
self. His tender heart was touched.
and when he parted with Polly to seek
his wife and repeat the tale. it ended
ny
Mrs Allan
We've talked of it often enough
but not pauper, We don't know how
she might turn out. l never did like
paupers.'
NO, it's hard to say how she might
turn out; but she'd have better chance
with us. Her eyes are for all the world
like Jessy's. and then the subject was
dropped
\ few weeks later Mr. and Mrs. AL
ian met Mr.. Norton at the pOStoffice.
and they began to question him about
Polly. Mr.. Norton knew little more of
her history than they already knew,
but they now learned that Polly WAS
sick. and Mr.. Norton shook his head
over her condition. Mr.. and Mrs. Al
Ian lost no time in getting to her bed
side. ON Il couch in the cheerless room
devoted to sickness lay Polly. who
weakly smiled on her visitors. Mr.. Al
Ian talked to her quietly. promising to
see that the pumpkin was duly picked,
while Mrs. Allan studied her and pat
ted her hand. When the husband ana
wife were outside, Mrs. Allan began TO
talk very fast.
I'll make her warm cloak to travel
in, and We'll start home as soon as
she's fit to go. She's a dear child"
I'VE don't know how she'll turn out"
said NJ. Allan. smiling at her
Il guess we can pray for wisdom to
bring her up right. rs we did for Jessy."
replied Mrs. Allan. The pOOrhOuse is
no place for her. and want her. so do
sign the papers and get her right
away"
The day that Polly Polly Allan now
left the pOOrhOuse was day long to
be remembered. Not that the fact of
her going away was remarkable, III
that any one felt very sorry-except
Silly Sam and some other half witted
Ones-but the time of her departure
was Thanksgiving Day. and Mr.. Allan
gave the poOrhouse people a dinner at
his own expense And such dinner.
Turkey and chicken aud cranberry
sauce, and the pumpkin converted into
many pies. crowned the feast Polly.
still weak. but very happy, was carried
into the long dining-room toward the
close of the meal. At the sight of her
Silly Sam set up feeble cheer, and at
tempted to wave his pie i'm the air with
poor success. but was provided with
another piece.
SO the last scene in Polly's pOorhOuse
lifs was one OF peace and plenty. This