Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-07-10
Elsie MaSOl'S Lesson.
BY HOPE DARING.

had not lost the dewy freshness OF
early morning.
But early as it was the day
work at Bruce Farm was well un'
der way. The farmers and his
men were in the fields, IN the kitch'
en- Huldah, the stout German girl,
was busy over the dishes, while
the mistress of the hOnse, calm,
Saxon faced Margaret Bruce, was
churning out on the back porch.
IL was a delightful spot for a
morning hour. A screen of morn
Ing glory and trumpet vines allow
ed only an occasional dancing ray
of sunlight to enGer. Margaret
made no discOrd in the harmony Of
The quiet scene. Tall, erect, head
we'll poised, firm scarlet lips and
smooth brown BAR. Even her
gingham apron and her bare,
shapely arms were pleasing to an
artistic eye.
While she was brlskly raising
aud owering the dasher of the old
fashioned stone churn, a song on
her lips, step was heard Oh tue
walk.
Cousin Elsie,' Margaret excIaim'
Ell brightly, you are an early
caller. Don't tell me you have no
genius for housewOrk when you
can get out to make calls as early
in the morning as this
E sie Mason shrugged her shoul'
ders in silence. She was gypsy
faced, girlish.loOking creature, ten
years younger than her cousin.
Elsie had been for two years the
wife of John Mason, whose farm
adioined that OF Margarets hus
band.
How do you suppose did ilT
Elsie demanded, sitting down on
the top step and flaming herself
with her hat.
DID what" Margaret queried.
Managed to get over here so
early III the morning.
pm sure | don't know.
We'll, Pll tell yOu'-there was
an almost wicked CLEAN iu the soft
black eyes upturned TO the placid
face above the speaker. 'Ne had
breakfast late. John Was IL hnr'
~ to drive to Layton, and some
how when he is in bury meals
have a fashion of being late. 1t
didn't take us long to eat. You
see. there wasn't thing nice. Tie
coffee was muddy and the mullins
[ made-ihere wasn't any bread -
were horrid. Breakfast over l
pat on my hat. and here am see'
SeeP
Mrs. Bouce looked grave. 'And
your tablei' she questioned.
1T will he all ready for dinner,
Elsie saiG hippantly. Il did intend
to put the butter and cream in the
refrigerator but l forgot 1t. The
bed is unmade, the sweeping not
done, no bread set, and nothing
planned for dinner
There was moments silence.
A moment IN which Margaret s
churniug proceeded very slowly
while she studied the tace and
form OF her cousin.
Elsi.'s abundant Dlack hair was
twised in rough knot. Her bangs
had apparently been uncurled for
several days. AS for her pink cam
brio wrapper with its torn garnl'
ture Of lace, there was only one
word TO describe it, and that word
was--dirty.
well, why don't you scold9
Elsie asked 10 the tone of defiant
child.
Il am afraid it will do no good.
Mrs. Bruce SAID gently.
'Oh, am 80 tired of everything
Elsie cried. 1T there could only be
a change III my hte--I would no
care what 1t was. But Pd rathe
die than go on in this poky fash
iOD.'
No reply. Margaret raised tn
cover OF her churn to look at the
smooth mass of cream. That wa
all. After a moment Elsie went ol
; pettishly.
It's all very we'll for you. Yo
have girl
: And / have three children,thre
, hired men and the milk of on
COWS. You sell your milk. tn
tenant farmer boards Johns helT
, and You do the work for two In th
e family
n A little emphasis on the wor
| do deepened the pink on Elsie
cheek.
Il am fitted for better things
she began loftlly. Fate never IL
|. tended me for a farmers wife,
III n