The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1896-01-02
STORYOFNEW WOMAN


The first beams Of June sun were
shining upon a world of dew and bios
SONS. Birds were singing everywhere,
and which made the divinest music, the
robins in the orchard or the bobolinks
in the meadow, it was hard to choose.
So thought Jimmie Thompson as,
hastily rising from his little bed under
the caves of Farmer Thompson's big
farmhouse, he prepared himself for the
duties of the day.
1t was busy season on the farm, fol-
hay was to be cut, and the ring of the
scythes as the women were grinding
them to an edge OH the old grindstone
already rose upon the air.
81 wonder what mamma will say to
find me late again?' murmured the
youngster as he hurriedly donned his
simple garments and tripped lightly
down the stairs
Breakfast was already laid in the big
stone paved kitchen, and the delicious
fragrance of coffee, mingled with that
of frying ham, combined to forecast
tempting feast.
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 a
love that shrank at no sacrifice in his
behalf, there was that in the strict dis
AL; ,ko;r hx,I lii
combined with a 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 go
breakfastless.
A mutinous look darkened for mo-
ment the eyes of the youth, and he was
about to speak when a firm, quick step
was heard entering the outer porch, and
a sharp knock smote the panels Of the
wood shed door.
A wave Of rosy color swept over jim
mic Thompson IS sweet face as, hurriedly
rising, he left the kitchen to answer the
summons.
''Good morning. my darlingl My
rosebud boy in the garden Of boys"
said 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 stern. voice of
Mrs Thompson babe the visitor enter.
It was grand young woman who
stepped with uncovered head into the
midst of the Thompson household and
gave it 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 in
the presence of one of natures noble
women.
Her garments, although scrupulously
neat, bespoke the working woman, and
there was that in the clear, sunburned
tint of her face which told of outdoor
toll
There was a 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. 81 have cut the swamp half acre
and am going over ON the beech meadow
now. dropped in on my way to see if
! could get the loan Of your horse rake
this afternoon. ne
81 shall be using it myself, said
Mrs. Thompson in tones Of studied in
science, land if ! were not I don't
know that / should care to lend it.
"Oh, motherl'' cried Jimmie and his
father in~reproacffhf unison, s' how can
youi" e:r. ,i.@r
The young woman who had thus nm
expectedly been subjected to Mrs.
Thompson g rude speech shifted her po-
sition lightly, and while deep flush
stole into her brown cheek remarked,
with an apparent effort at self control:
81 do rot understand you, madam.
We have been in the habit of exchang-
ing horse rakes and other courtesies. /
fail to catch the drift of your meaning. I"
"Well, I'll explain myself SO that You
will catch my meaning, young woman,
and reckon it won't be my fault if we
do not come to complete understand
r n - \
Thompson, rising from her seat and con-
fronting the undaunted girl with q
countenance inflamed with excitement
The silence had become intense and
was only broken by long drawn sigh,
and poor Jimmie slipped his hand into
that Of his frightened father and waited