The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-08-11
Brown Bess


said Susy Ross, rinsing the dishes
she had just washed.
"Oh, Susy!" cried her brother.
"What in the world do you want to
sell Brown Bess for ?" her mother asked,
looking up from the dough she was
kneading.
II could 60 to the academy, mother,
for two more TERMS" was the answer.
'"rhen, perhaps could-get the school
at the Corners"
Nonsense, Susy. need you to help
me-" her mother said. keeping school
is thanlless business"
Its money" said Susy, land I do
long to help myself, and you, too.
Money will do everything that needs to
be DONE"
Eyes, that's fact" spoke up Tom,
land there's lots wants to be done.
I'd like to clear that five-acre lot for
potatoes and corn, but can't do it,"
"And the house wants shingling,"
her mother said, plaintively, her care
worn countenance taking on another
shadow.
"The front doors got crack all the
way across" Tom spoke up again, land
there ought to be fireplace in gran
ny's room. Then there's the barn; it's
all we can do to keep the hay dry"
II know all that" said Susy. Il know
the house is getting to be scarecrow,
and the barn is worse, and that's why
I want to be earning. AS for the shin
giles, ! should think you could put them
on yourself, Tom; yes, and mend the
roof"
Where's the shingles?" Tom asked,
in his matter-of-fact 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, I
should like to llnow?"
"Sure enough" said Susy, unless
could earn it. That's why want to sell
Brown Bess."
"And if you do sell her you won't get
much," Tom said. "She's so full of
her tricks-the craziest colt I ever
saw"
'Tm more and more afraid to have
you ride her." her mother said. But if
you should sell her, there's the mort
gage to be paid in October"
IF l sell her," said Susy, quietly, ut
will be to finish my education"
That's always your cry" her mother
went on, in piaintive tones; mo matter
what's needed; but s'pose we must
give in. Bad as the roof is, it shelters
us. What would we do without house
over our heads?"
I'D sell the cow, too" put in Tom.
"And then grandma would just about
starve," the mother supplemented.
Susy turned away from the table, an
cry and grieved, but she said nothing,
only ran upstairs to her own room.
After helping her mother about the
house she donned her sunbonnet and
ran into the barn. Tom was rubbing
down Brown Bess, whose bright, glossy
coat shone like satin.
'Much as l can do to take care of
her." said Tom. "She wants a regular
groom who would break her of her
nasty little tricks. See how she throws
her head up, and look at her eyes flash
ing fire. Are you going to the store?
Mother wants sugar and molasses and
vinegar-and I've got to 60 in the
field"
"Yes, I'm going" said Susy, though
dread it, the bill is SO large. If I sell
Brown Bess that's the first thing I'll
pay"
THAT and the mortgage" said Tom.
We'll, I'll saddle old Dick"
Susy mounted to the back of the slow
old cart horse with gloomy forebodings.
1t was a warm September day. Even
N the midst of her anxiety the beauty
of the ride to Hiilston soothed and de-
lighted her. Every detail of the way
was familiar to her, yet when she came
to Silver Ledge falls and saw the white
spray leaping over granite rocks and
dancing among tiny islands she stopped
old Dick and sat enjoying the scene as
If she had never beheld it before.
"Good morning." voice said behind
her.
"Oh, Charliei" she exclaimed, with a
start, 81 didn't hear you coming"
"No? The falls are so loud. saw
you at the bend and followed. Going to
town."
eyes, Charlie" she made reply, and
in spite of herself her voice held Gu
rious trelnor.
You're worried over something" he
said, the keen lovers eyes noting the
shadows.
Eyes, Charlie, a little-the same old
trouble. ] want to set things to rights
-and-it's hard work." she said, in a
low voice.
II knew it. Why won't you leave all
these matters and come with me? The
house is waiting for you-and so am
]. Susy, darling, make up your mind. !"
He held out his hand, look of unut-
terable love making his rugged face
beautiful.
IF father had only lived" she said.
but you know it is impossible now.
Charlie. can't leave mother-not vet
and | must finish the Course at the
B. academy, and keep school at least
q year before get things Strengthened
out"
He gave long. low whistle, then
urged on his horse, but stopped again
till Susy came up with him.
You know I'll wait for you, Susy, as
long as you say, but it's rather hard on
me. as I'm forehanded and ready to
marry Susy. come, make up your
mind. Ny house is a large one. III take
your mother and granny. Tom can run
the old farm, and"
What! Let you support me and the
family, too? Never!" and her eyes