River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-05-11
Brown BeSS
a. ~ ~ ~ ~ az M NJ M ~ a

WISH / could sell 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 FORE her mother asked,
looking up from the dough she was
kneading.
Il could go to the academy, mother,
Tor two more terms" was the answer.
"Then, perhaps 1 could get the school
at the Corners
Nonsense, Susy. / need you to help
me" her mother said. keeping school
is a thankless business"
Its money" said Susy, "and l do
long to help myself, and you, too.
Money will do everything that needs to
be done
Eyes, that's Il fact spoke up Tom,
"and there's lots wants to be done.
I'd like T. 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 a 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. Il know
the house is getting to be a scarecrow,
and the barn is worse, and that's why
/ want to be earning. As for the shin
L Il. 4 /,
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, l
should like to know"
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 shes so full of
Ter tricks-the craziest colt l ever
s3w.'
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"
IF I sell her" said Susy quietly. lit
will be To finish my education"
That's always your cry" her mother
went on. i'm 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, bat she said nothing,
only ran upstairs to her own room.
They don't see it, she sorrowfuliy
murmured. They can't understand
that it's for their good and comfort |
want to get that school. I'm willing 10
wear old clothes and to walk three
miles and back every day for the sake
of finishing my education. Let the roof
leak awhiIe-if Tom don't patch it. Let
granny sleep downstairs, where there's
a fire I'll help them all in a year or
two-but they don't see it-they won't
see it, If l can only sell Brown Bess!
I'd go and beg time for the mortgage
or Id borrow money-or. maybe l can
get enough to repair the house and go
to school, too. If only Brown Bess
wasn't such little vixen! 1t will go
hard to part with her, though; it was
my fathers last gift"
Tears rushed 10 the dark eyes, but
she repressed them and went down
stairs.
After helping her mother about the
house she douued her suubonuet and
ran into the barn. Tom was rubbing
down Brown Bess, whose bright, glossy
coat shone like satin.
Much as | 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 10 the store
Mother wants sugar and moiasses and
vinegar I've got to SO in the
field"
YES, I'm going" said Susy, though
I dread it. the bin is So large. If sell
Brown Bess that's the first thing III
pay"
THAT and the mortgage, said Tom.
well. Ill saddle old Dick"
Susv mounted to the back of the slow
old cart horse with gloomy forehodiugs.
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 10 her, vet when she came
to Silver Ledge fails 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
~ob. Charlie.' she exclaimed with a
start Il didn't hear You coming.
.Noe The falls are so loud, 7 saw
you at the bend and followed. Going to
town.
',Yes, Charlie she made reply, and
in spite of herself her voice held u eu-
rious tremor.
You're worried ovet -v-uething,. he
said the keen lovers eyes noting the
shadows.
Yes, Charlie. Gttle-the same old
trouble, want TO set things to rights
-nd -it's hard work, she setid, in a
low voice.
4 knew It. Why won't yeu leave all
these matters and come with nte2 The
house is waiting for you-aiid SO am
l. SuSy, darling. make az your mind.
He held out his hand. hook of unut-
terable love making his rugged face
beautiful
IF father had only iiecd she said.
But you know II is Impossible now.
Charlie. I can't leave mother not vet
and 7 must finish the course at the
B. academy. and Keep scicoi e lc;isf
year before 7 get things straighteRed
out.
He gave long. low whistle, then