The Somerset reporter., 1895-12-17
STORYOFNEW WOMAN


robins i'll the orchard or the bObolinks
i'll the meadow, it was hard to choose.
So thought Jimmie Thompson as,
hastily rising from his little bed under
the caves Of Farmer Thompson 5 bis
farmhouse, he prepared himself for the
duties of the day.
1t was a busy season on the farm, for
hay was to be cut, and the ring of the
scythes as the women We're grinding
them to an edge on the cid grindstone
already rose upon the air.
Il wonder what mamma will say tC
find Inc late again." murmured the
youngster as he hurriedly donned his
simple garments and tripped lightly
down the stairs.
Breakfast was already laid III the big
stone paved kitchen, and the delicious
fragrance of coffee, mingled with that
Of frying ham, combined to forecast a
tempting east.
Somewhat timidly Jimmie stole into
the room and took his place at the table.
He was an only son, and, although loved
by his stern mother and his yielding
and more gentle spirited father with Il
love that shrank at no sacrifice III his
behalf, there was that in the strict dis
cipline ever maintained by his mother,
combined with naturally sensitive and
dOcile nature, which had repressed our
poor Jimmie and given him an air of
quiet hardly consistent with his bright
eyes and hair of willful shining gold.
Late again, my son, and for the
third morning - remarked his mother
as the young man took his seat and
carefully tucked the napkin Of snowy
linen under his chin. "'See that this Of
Tense is not repeated, or you may 20
breahfastles =
A mutinous look darEened for IA mo.
ment the eyes of the youth, and he WAS
about to speak when firm, quick step
was heard entering the outer porch, and
Il sharp knock smote the panels of the
wood shed door.
A wave of rosy color swept over jim,
mic Thompson s sweet face as, hurriedly
rising, he left the kitchen to answer the
SUMMONS.
Good morning, my darling My
rosebud boy i'll the garden of boys -
said a low voice as hasty kiss was
pressed upon the lips of the youth and
he felt himself strained to womanly
breast
For only an instant could the lovers
(for such they were) remain in the
outer shed before the stem voice of
Mrs. Thompson babe the visitor enter
1t Was IA grand young woman who
stepped with uncovered head into the
midst of the Thompson household and
gave 1t courteous greeting. One had but
to look on the high brow, the steadfast
mouth and the firm poise Of the statu-
eSque chin, to know that he stood il
the presence of one of natures noble
women.
Her garments, although scrupulously
neat, bespoke the working woman, and
there was that i'll the clear, sunburned
tint of her face which told of outdoor
toll.
There was brief silence as Jimmie,
with pleading look in the direction of
his mother, resumed his seat.
Good morning, Nell" said Mrs.
Thompson at last, somewhat grimly,
laying aside her fork and reaching for a
toothpick. What brings you out so
early"
"Oh, I've been stirring since long be-
fore dawn, " responded the young wom-
AN. 4 have cut the swamp half acre
and am going over ON the beech meadow
now | dropped in on my way to ste if
| could get the loan of your horse rake
this afternoon.
Il shall be using it myself, " said
MIS-. Thompson IN tones of studied in
science, land if l We're not l don I
know that should care to lend it. =
"Oh, mothero cried Jimmie and his
father in reproachful unison, chow can
you -
The young woman who bad thus I'M
expeetedly been subjected to Mrs.
Thompson S rude speech shifted her DO.
sition lightly. and while deep flush
stole into her brown cheek remarked
with an apparent effort al self control
4 do not understand you, madam.
We have been in the habit of eXchanq-
ing horse rakes and other courtesies. |
fail to catch the drift of your meaning
well, I'll explain myself so that you
Will catch my meaning, young woman,
and | reckon it Won be my fault il we
do not come to Il complete understand
ing before | have finished, replied Airs.
rising from her seat and con-
the undaunted girl with a
inflamed with excitement.
The silence had become intense and
was only broken by "a long drawn sigh,
and poor Jimmie slipped his hand into
that of his frightened father and waited
'or his mother to finish what she had to
Jay.
Il think you We're around here last
evening, also two or three evenings last
week, when you had no excuse to hor-
low horse rake, were you not?' ques-
Toned the angry matron, confronting
With smile of fine yet whitening Sco1n
he unabashed girl so calmly facing her
Il was" replied the young woman
ruietly, land l did not come to borrow
farming implements of any description "
What did you come for, them"
shouted Mrs. Thompson "Shall l tell
you? No, seek not to silence me, Jim