The National tribune., 1897-07-15
THE STORY OF MARY BROWN.
William Craig's "Take-off" on Modern
Realistic Fiction.

William Craig's "Take-oT" on Modern
Realistic Fiction.
Mary Brown stood in the back kitchen wash.
ing the dishes. She wore a green calico dress
with white spots in 10, trimmed with white
braid, and a blue gngham apron with the strings
tied behind. Her petticoat was gray linen, with
two 1ounces around the bottom one was ripped
8 little, and hung below her dress skirt. Her
shoes were Of black pebble goat, and two but.
tons were off the left one. Her hair was brown,
faded out in streaks where the sun blazed on
il.
She wore her hair braided. tied with green
ribbon the bow on the left braid was united
Her nose was turned up at the end, aud had ID
freckles on it. Her front tooth was filed with
gold, and Was slightly discolored. Her hands
were fiat and broad, with short fingers and the
nails were bitten to the quick.
Her mother came into the room. She was
fat and cumbersome, and her hair was done up
in crimping pins. She said: Mary. are you
going to town." "No. ma" said Mary; "not
to-day" why don't you go to-day" said her
mother. Because Frank is coming, and must
iron my lawn Dress" she replied.
Just then man passed the honse, driving q
white horse hitched to > buck board. The dust
blew threw the kitchen Windows "Close the
window, Mary" said Mrs. Brown. "Why?"
asked Mary. Because the dust Ia getting
everything dirty" "Ail right" Mary replied
and llastened to close the window. She threw
out her dish-water, aud washed her dish-cloths
with soft soap.
A man stopped In front Of the house. "Hello
there" he called. . Is that you. Mr.. Jones?"
answered Mrs. Brown, In shrill voice" add.
ing, :" II you want to see pa he is in the north
field hoeing potatoes" No, ma, you are
wrong" interrupted Mary; che is hoeing
corn"
Mary says it's corn, Mr.. Jones' Have your
folks made soap YETI" she continued. Nope"
he erunted. Well. then, stop and take bucket
bome with yon when you go back" and Mrs.
Brown wiped her forehead on her dirty apron
Just then it began to rain, and the
chickens ran under the pine trees. Mary
closed the windows and sat down to pare the
potatoes for dinner. Mr.. Jones drove bis horse
into the shed. and sat down in the Toulouse
until the men came in from the fields.
Come to dinner" called the small boy, Ned,
as he pumped the tin pail full Of water. They
all sat down at the table aud ate boiled beef,
stewed rhubarb, ginger cake, currant pie, and
jelly tarts. we'll washed down with coffee, or
bnttermilk for those who liked It,
The sun came out, and Mr. Jones went home
with pail of soft soap under his buggy seat.
A chicken ran into the kitchen. Mary chased
1t out, and sprinkled her lawn dress. After
awhile she made floating, island in glass dish
and set it away in the cellar to cool.
Mrs. Brown put on her black lawn dress
with blue dots, and her bonnet with the red
peoples, tied on her head with three yards of
brown vail. and went toe town with her hus-
band. Mary had supper ready when they re-
turned dried beef. warmed-over potatoes, two
or three spreads and the floating island.
When all had eaten she put away the dishes.
Her mother asked: "sWhat time do you ex-
pect Frank? 2" seeing that it was growing late.
Mary looked at the clock; it was already g.
" He won't be,here now" she said 81 think
will 60 to bed'; and she won't.
But first she washed her nose with butter.
milk and tansy to tskAiof the frecklss. She
had never read "Trjlby," and did not know
ROSTERS crowed, but Mary did not hear them.
She was tired, and even thinking of Frank did
not keep her awake.