The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-27
The Peoples Journal.
PICkENS s. Q.
BROWN BESS.

ooh, 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.
81 could go to the academy, mother,
for two more terms," was the answer,
"Then perhaps l could-get the school
at the Corners"
"Nonsense, Susy. l need you to help
me-" her mother said. Keeping
school IL q thankless business"
"It's money!" said Susy, land [ do
long to help myself, and you, too.
Money will do everything that needs
to be DONE"
"Yes, that's fact" spoke up Tom,
land there's lots wants to be done.
I'd like to clear that tive.acre lot for
potatoes and corn, but | can't do IT,
"And tho house wants shingling,"
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
Rranny's room. Then there's the
barn It's all we can do to keep the hay
q know all that" said Susy. 81
know the house Is getting to be q
Bcarecrow, and the barn Is worse, and
that's why l want to be earning. AS
for the shingles, | should think you
so% could npus put them The on yourself Tom yo'
"Where's the sh ingles ?" 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. should like to know ?'
Sure enough" said Susy, unless
could earn it, That's why want to
sell Brown Bess.'
And II you do sell her you won't
get much," Tom said. "She's 80 full
Of her tricks--the craziest colt ever
saw"
Pm more and moro afraid to have
If you should sell her, there's the mort.
gage to be paid In October"
" II | sell her." said Susy, quietly,
1t will be to finish my education"
"That's always your cry" her moth
er went on, in plaintive tones "no
matter what's needed but s'pose we
must give in. Bad as the roof is, it
shelters us. What would we do with
out house over our heads?"
" I'd sell the cow" put in Tom.
And then grandma would just
about starve," the mother supplement-
ed.
Susy turned away from the table,
angry and gtieved, but she said moth.
Ing, 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 can do to take care ol
her. said Tom. "She wants 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
ylnegar-and I've got to 60 In the
field"
Yes, I'm going" said susy, Though
dread 1t. the bill is 80 large. If sci
Brown Bess that's the first thing III
pay"
That and the mortgage" said Tom
Well, I'll saddle old Dick"
SusY mounted to the back OF the
slow old cart horse with gloomy fore
podlngs. 1t was warm September
day. Even in the midst OF her anxiet,
the beauty OF the ride to Hillstoii
soothed and delighted her. Every de
tall OF the way was familiar to her
yet when she came to Silver Ledg
falls and saw the white spray leapin,
over granite rocks and dancing anon,
tiny islands she stopped old Dick an
sat enjoying the scene as If she ha
never beheld 1t before.
Good morning." voice said be
hind her.
"Oh, Charlie w she exclaimed, wit
start, didn't hear you coming"
"No? The falls are so loud. / sa,
you at the bend and followed. GoinI
/" Yes, Charlie" she made reply, an,
In spite OF herself her voice held Gu
rious tremor.
YOU'RE worried over something,
the shadows.
" Yes, Charlie, little-the sam,
old trouble. l want to set things tt
rights-and-it's hard work" she said
In low voice.
knew 1t. Why won't you leave
al these matters and come with roe
The house is waiting for you-and 81
am l.. Susy, darling, make up youl
mind"
He hold out his hand, look of unut
terabie love making his rugged face
"If father had only livod," she said
nut you hEOW IL IL lmpOSSl Dlo now
Charlie. can't leave mCther--not vet
and must finish the course at the
B-academy, and keep school at leas,
year before get things Strengthened
He, gave long, low whistle, ther
urged on his horse, but stopped agair
Till Susy came up with him.
You know IN wait for you, s;usy
AS long as you say, but it's rather hare
on me, as I'm forehanded and ready tt
marry. Susy, come, make up your
mind. bly, house Is a large one. II
take your mother and granny. Ton
can run the old farm, and"
What Let you support me and
the family, too? Never |" and her
eyes flashed. 81 would never permit
It,"
.,,' ,"'Well, Susy, I've declared my
Willingness to help you, If only you
would let me-" said Charlie, ;" but,
since you won't, don't look so sad
and worried, my daring. It's worth
serving and saving for seven years If
Lea 1 can J. only win you at last for my