The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-03-12
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 ns,
hastily rising from his little bed under
the caves Of Farmer Thompson's big
farmhouse. no prepared himself for the
duties Of tho day.
It was busy season on the farm, for
hay was to be cut. and the ring OF the
scythes as the women were grinding
them to an edge on the old grindstone
already rose upon the air.
~ 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 tho table.
lie was an only son, and, although loved
by his stern mother and his yielding
and more gentle spirited father with
love that shranli at no sacrifice in 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 morningv" remarked his mother
as tho young man took his scat 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 a mo-
ment the eyes of the youth, and he was
about to speak when firm, quick step
was heard entering the outer porch, and
a sharp knock emote tho panels Of the
wood she'd door.
A wave Of rosy color swept over jim
mic Thompson S sweet face ns, hurriedly
rising, lie left the kitchen to answer the
Summons.
"Good morning, my darling! My
rosebud boy in the garden of boys"
said q low voice as hasty kiss was
pressed upon tho lips of the youth, and
he felt himself strained to womanly
breast.
For only Tn instant could the lovers
flor such they wore) remain in the
outer shed before the stern voice Of
Mrs. Thompson babe the visitor enter.
1t was grand young woman who
stepped with uncovered head into tho
midst Of the Thompson household and
gave it courteous greeting Ono lad but
to look on the high brow, the steadfast
mouth and the firm poiso 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 tho clear, sunburned
tint Of her face which told Of outdoor
toll.
There was brief silence ns Jimmie,
with a pleading look in the direction Of
his mother, resumed his scat.
GOOD morning, Nell" said Mrs.
Thompson at last, somewhat grimly,
laying aside her fork and reaching for
toothpicll. "What brings you out so
eirly?"
"Oh, I've been stirring since long be-
fore dawn" responded the young wom-
an. 81 have cut tho swamp half acre
and am going over on the beech meadow
now. l dropped i'll OH my way to see If
l could get tho loan Of your horse rake
this afternoon.
81 shall DO using IT myself" said
Mrs. Thompson in tones Of studied in
science, 'and if ! were not / don't
know that i should care 10 lend it. f"
"Oh, mother!" cried Jimmie and his
father in reproachful unison. "kow can
you"
Tho young woman who had thus IN
expec,odly been subjected TO Mrs.
Thompson s rude speech shifted her po-
sition lightly, and while deep flush
stole into her brown cheek remarked,
with an apparent effort at self controls:
az do not understand you, madam.
We have been in the habit Of exohang-
ing horse raLes and other courtesies.
fail to catch tho drift Of your meaning"
"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 como to complete understand
ing before have flnished, replied Mrs.
Thompson, rising from her seat and con-
fronting tho undauntcd girl with q
couutonance inlamed with excitement
The silence had become intense and
was only broken by long drawn sigh.
and poor Jimmie slipped bis land into
that Of his frightened father and waited
rul Iis mothes % finish what she had TO
say.
81 think yor wero around here last
evening. also two or three evenings last
week, when you had 10 excuse to bor-
row q horse rake, were you not?" ques.
tened the angry matron, confronting
with smile Of fine yet wiihoring scorn
tho rnabaEhed girl SO calmly facing her.
81 was.' replied tho young woman
quietly. "and did not como TO borrow
fam ng implements of any description. :"
"What did you come for, them"
fhouted Mrs. Thompson. "Shall tell
you? No, seek not TO silence me, jim
mic, she exclaimed as the pale young