The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-06-14
BROWN BESS.

BROWN BESS.
81 wish | could sell Brown Bess, y
said Susy Ross, rinsing the dishes she
had just washed.
''Oh, Sasy!r cried her brother.
"What in the world do you want to
sell Brown Bess for ?'' her mother ask
ed, looking up from the dough she was
kneading.
Il could go to the academy, mother,
for two more terms, was the answer.
Then, perhaps eould-get the school
at the Corners"
Nonsense, Susy. l need you to help
me-" her mother said. keeping
school is a thankless business"
"It's money" said Susy, "and do
long to help myself, and you, too.
Money will do everything that needs
to be done"
"Yes, that's a fact" spoke up Tom,
''and there's lots wants to be done.
I'd like to clear that five-acre lot for
potatoes and corn, but l can't do it.
"And the house wants shingling,"
her mother said, plaintiyely, her care
worn countenanee taking on another
shadow.
''The front doors got crack all the
way across" Tom spoke up again, "and
there ought to be a fireplace in gran
ny's room. Then there's the barn; it's
all We can do TO keep the hay dry"
81 know all that" said Susy. al
known the house is getting to be a
searecrOw, and the barn is worse, and
that's why / want to be earning. AS
for the shingles, should think you
could put them on yourself, Tom; yes,
and mend the roof"
where's the shingles ?" Tom asked,
in his matter-offact way. where's
the nails? Where's the hammer? The
old one is broken past mending. And
where's the money to get them with,
should like to know?"
"Sure enough, said Susy, "unless !
could earn it. That's why / want to
| III Brown Bess."
/ "And II you do sell her you won't get
Blch," Tom said. "She's so full Of
hr trieks-the craziest colt ever saw"
"Tm more and more afraid to have
yu ride her," her mother said. "But
: iyou should sell her, there's the mort
iye to be paid in October"
J If sell her, :" said Susy, quietly, ''it
II be to finish my education"
That's always your cry" her moth
,went on, in plaintive tones; mo
tier what's needed; but L s'pose we
st give in. Bad as the roof is, it
Il sters us. What would We do with
m q house over our hesds?"
Ii ID sell the COW, too" put in Tom.
md then grandma would just about
se,r the mother supplemented.
MS sy turned away from the table, an
snd grieved, but she said nothing,
Gran upstairs to her own loom.
er helping her mother about the
| she donned her sunbonnet and
hto the barn. Tom was rubbing
Brown Bess, whose bright, CLOS
q shone like satin.
lch as can do to take care Of
FH' said Tom. "She wants regular
= who would break her Of her
81 little tricks. See how she throws
ad up, and look at her eyes flash
3EI Z. Are you going to the store?
AZ wants sugar and molasses and
r-and I've got to go in the
Pm going, said Susy, though
~ it, the bill is so large. If sell
feri Bess that's the first thing Pll
N ~ and the mortgage" said Tom.
rldo" PH saddle old Dick"
fil mounted to the back of the slow
MA1horse with gloomy forebodings.
~ warm September day. Even
- ,ipsidst of her anxiety the beauty
In lie to Hiilston soothed and de-
~ ,at tlaer. Every detail of the way
q an1 liar to her, yet when she came
isvIleA Ledge falls and saw the white
1ood. Aping over granite rocks and
~ all \among tiny islands she stop
Fsphie : Dick and sat enjoying the
fshe had never beheld it be-
,.w \. morning" voice said behind
Circlevill
- walk eoarliep' she exclaimed, with q
lnis county tdn't hear you coming"
s nnmber oThe falls are so loud. | saw
lafried, andbend and followed. Going
4. sesrs died arlie." she made reply, and
nce 10 Mid herself her voice held Gu
an exemplalr.
spected ciii-svorried over something" he
rsie snd fiv,1een lovers eyes noting the
IS we're eon
E nirlie, little-the same old
iAi has this ! Fsyant 10 set things to rights
cf Ar. rsrJPard work" she said, IN
nost emius
t. Why won't you leave
/. g : s.oo,paf- ltters anC come with me?
te his r.,SstSSz waiting for you-and SO am
;,sre e. has ing, make up your mind. !"
sie 70 the his hand, q look of unut-
n. and " making his rugged face
so0th Of
e, 2: g: sctase : ad only lived,n she said.
,;th homo sRxs bw il is impossible now,
t. the cess amt leave mother-not
'''s ~ We, r,bn NAV Just finish the course at
e1.erator ianieae 1aa a. fademy, and keep school
=. af ';o,s ioa ssnts sIsn's az before get things
& type. sesivs nt.n
'i2'nEs. "a long. low whistle, then
Ise tlorse, but stopped again
'- disss asa up with him.
I. strarT..I h III wait for you, Susy, As
gIh bat it's rather hard on