Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-19
Brown BeSS
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est WISH I could sell Brown Bess,"

ssT WISH I could sell Brown Bess,'
said Susy Ross, rinsing the dishes
she had just washed.
"Oh, Susyi" 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.
81 could go to the academy, mother,
for two more terms" was the answer.
Then. perhaps could-get the school
at the Corners
Nonsense, Susy. I need you to help
me-" her mother said. keeping school
is thankless 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 a 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 I can't do it,
And the house wants shingling,"
her mother said, plaintively, her care
worn countenance taking on another
shadow.
1.-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
Il know all that" said Susy. 81 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, 1
should like to know?''
''Sure enough" said Susy, unless I
could earn it. That's why L 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
I'm 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"
eff 1 sell her." said Susy, quietly, lit
will be to finish my education.''
That's always your cry" her mother
went on, in plaintive tones; mo matter
what's needed; but L 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 I 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 fash
| ing fire. Are you going to the store?
Mother wants sugar and molasses and
vinegar-and I've got to go in the
field"
Eyes, I'm going" said Susy, though
dread it, the bill is so large. If 1 sell
Brown Bess that's the first thing I'll
pay"
Indb anu Tie mortgage, SdIQ 1OHl
''Well, 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
| in the midst of her anxiety the beauty
| of the ride to Hillston 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, Charlie!" 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
| spite of herself her voice held Gu
ious tremor.
| you're worried over something" he
| said, the keen lovers eyes noting the
| ,hadows.
| eyes, Charlie, 1ittle-the same old
trouble. I want to set things to rights
| -and-it's hard work." she said, in a
| low voice.
81 knew it. Why won't you leave all
| these matters and come with me? The
house is waiting for you-and so am
I. Susy, darling, make up your mind y
| He held out his hand, a 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 yet
and I must finish the course at the
B academy. and keep school at least
a year before get things Strengthened