River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-06-29

00/- OQM aI,Iee into
N &M1 the town market.
Al This girl, sitting
upright on the wagon seat gazing
placidly before her, was eapable-look-
ing young person of about 10 years OF
age. Her bingham frock was stlfi1y
starched, and her white collar and cults
were spotless. She wore leather gloves
TO protect her hands, and a broad-brim
hat shaded her face. Liny Poss was in
a pleasant frame of mind that morning
as she drove her vegetables into town.
The garden was yielding finely, and the
peas, potatoes and cabbages would com
mand a very good price.
"One-ffth of the proceeds comes to
me, john" said Liny, addressing the
old horse. That's fair and square in
ma. amt it?"
When John reached the stream at
the foot of the hin he paused, and Liny
climbed out upon the wage 1 shaft and
unlocked the headstrap, then urged
her friend farther up the stream, so
that out of the way of passing vehicles
he might drink at his leisure.
Scarcely had Johns head touched the
water when there dashed through the
stream pony carriage containing two
girls. A great mastiff was trotting
contentedIy beside the carriage, and
the girls were talking and laughing
gayly.
The pleasant light died out of Linys
black eyes, and frown formed itself
between them before she replaced the
headstrap and climbed back into the
wagon to continue her journey. Yes,
she war jealous; she acknowledged it
to her end, the old horse, with fierce
vehemence, for Liny was honest; she
was jealous of Julia Gregg, the girl driv-
ing the pony, and she was jealous of the
other girl in the pony carriage who was
visiting at the great house among the
oaks.
Nothing on earth to do but have
good time" muttered Liny. Get up
late in the mornings, and no beds to
make; delicious things to eat at all the
meals, and no hand in the cooking; go
ing to have fireworks in the grounds on
the Fourth of July, and can go to Eu-
rope. too. 1t isn't fair, is it. John?
'She's seen me at the post Office off
and on every summer since we've both
been little tackers," continued Liny,
her ill-humor increasing, land we've
passed in the road time and again, and
we've stood side by side at the ribbon
cot r, and l bought yard of ribbon
off same piece, though l knew she'd
turn her nose up if she ever found out;
but, laws, no, John, we're not acquaint-
ed! She goes to Europe, and | carry
vegetables to the town market: she
pays nine dollars for her shoes, and |
give two dollars for the ones / wear on
Sunday. She'd laugh fit to kill, dare
say, if anyone was to tell her that I'd
like to go visiting to her house and see
how il is to be stuck up. But I've got
TO keep straight along gathering vege-
tables, and hauling them to the city for
other folks to eat; and I've got to-"
Liny's voice sank to a whisper, and she
finished with guIp. I've got to cut
wood out in the shed at nights when we
can't get a man in the daytime, and it
isn't girls work. 1t isn't fair
She slipped a plump brown hand out
of one of the leather gloves and rubbed
it hastily over her glistening eyes, and
then she laughed in self-ridieuling
way.
81 reckon I'm no better than ma she
said, "and ma was never foolish like
me; but when she was young she didn't
have girl her own age living only
three miles off who had everything
were her friends"
She dashed her hand across her eyes
again and said, bravely:
well, I'm not going to mind. get
one-ffth of the proceeds, and l can go
shopping as well as other folks. Fire
works in the grounds, indeed, and talk
ing about them month ahead, and not
American enough TO shake your hand
like the president of the United States!"
Linys varying expressions settled
into one of firm determination as she
drove on in business-like manner,
paying undivided attention to John as
the wagon rumbled through the crowd
ed thoroughfare. She was glad when
her vegetables were disposed of to her
dealer. and she had tied John in quiet
place square back of the market, and
she threw her head up trifie and gave
a swift smile, as she repeated to her
self that she reckoned now she could
go shopping as well as other folks.
Liny's shopping, however, was not ex-
tensive that morning, and she found
herself idly walking the streets, ex-
aiming the goods in the windows and
admiring the latest spring fashions
Then, suddenly, her ugly frown came
back.
Two girls had crossed the street and
were directly in front of her, great
mastih keeping close TO the side of the
girl with the yellow hair.
Il wish she wouldn't most run over
me in the road, and push in front of me
on the streets" thought Liny, yiciously
Lets go to see somebody or some
thing" Julia Gregg was saying to her
friend. We've nothing whatever on
hand. Suppose we visit the Old Mems
home. I've never been there, but I've
intended to go time and again. The
place isn't far from here, and visitors
are admitted any time in the day. It's
real interesting; there's an old Irish
man who dances iigs."
The friend laughed.
"Oh, didn't know it was like that
she said. by all means let's GO"
We've nothing else to do" said
Julia again.
Il have nothing else to do, either
thought Liny Poss, glow rising in her
brown cheeks. Il guess | can go visit
ing the Old Mems home as well as
other folks"
I'm such rash person" said Julia
Gregg, pausing at the foot of the stone
steps leading to the Old Mems home.
IF YOU hear me say anything that |
oughtn't to say, Mary, making foolish
promises or anything. just pull my
arm, please; I'm always doing hasty
things
If the old Irishman dances very
well" said Mary Alden, calmly, Il think
we might each present him with dime
If you're in for making the dimes dol
lars, I'll pull your arm"
"0h, l haven't a cent?" cried Julia,
III have to borrow for the Irishman
But l suppose wen see other things be-
sides dancing"
y minute later the three visitors were
admitted and conducted to the recrea-
ton room Of the Old Mems home. Then