Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-08-14
.STORYOFNEW WOMAN


The first beams Of a 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 tho 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 a busy season ON the farm, for
hay was to be cut, and the ring Of the
scythes as tho women were grinding
them to m edge Oh the old grindstone
already rose upon the air.
II wonder what mamma will say to
find me late againf' murmured tho
youngster as he hurriedly donned his
simple garments and tripped lightly
down tho 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 q
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
cipline ever maintained by his mother,
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 T. remarked his mother
MS 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 &c
brcakfastless.
A mutinous look darkened for a mo.
ment the eyes of the youth, and he was
about to speak when n 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 5 sweet face as, hurriedly
rising, he left the kitchen to answer the
GOOD morning, my darlingl Ny
rosebud boy in the garden Of boysp'
said a low voice as a hasty kiss was
pressed upon the lips Of the youth, and
he felt himself strained to q womanly
breast.
For only an instant could the lovers
flor such they were) remain in the
outer shed before the stern voice Of
Mrs. Thompson babe the visitor enter.
1t was a 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 frm 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, anC
there was that In the clear, sunburneC
tint Of her face which told Of outdoor
toll.
There was a brief silence as Jimmie
with a pleading look in the direction o
his mother, resumed his seat.
GOOD morning. Nell" said Mrs
Thompson at last, somewhat grimly
laying aside her fork and reaching for
,toothpick. what brings you out 5
early7"
"Oh, Two been stirring since long be
fore dawn, responded the young won
an. ~ have cut the swamp half acr
and am going over on the beech meadON
now. / dropped In ON my way TO see
/ could get the loan Of your horse rak
this afternoon"
II shall be using il myself, " Eai
Mrs. Thompson in tones Of studied in
science, land II i were not I don
know that l should care to lend it..
"Oh, motherp r. cried Jimmie and hi
father in ~reproach'ul unison. chow ca
,your'
The young woman who had thus III
.expectedly been subjected to Mr.
Thompson's rude speech shifted her pC
sition lightly, and while a deep hus
stole into her brown check remarked
with an apparent effort at self control
II do not 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.
well, I'll explain myself so that 20
will catch my meaning, young woman
and ! reckon IL won't be my fault II "
do not come 70 a complete understand
ing beforeI have finished, " replied Mr.
Th0upscr rifirg from her seat and COZ
.ae crirtnted eiri T5ith
elu l- al
.lf.i.re IN
Has DA.y D-o-.A " a ivns drawn sigl