The advance. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1899-19??, 1900-09-22

to her indoor tasks 1t was wasb-day,
and she had just completed filling the
tub on the bench by the door with
fresh water, when her mother called:
''Set the outside door open again,
won't you Abby; It's so hot in here
with the steam aud all, 1t seems ms
il should smother" As Abby COM
piled she went on: Come in here
and sit down minute, Abigail.
want to talk to YOU"
Abby glanced at the stove. Il must
go aud cut some wood pretty soon,
ma. Pa didn't have time to cut any
this morning
Its too bad, John does have to
work so hardl'' said Johns wife. as
Abby took the seat that rrissy Ann
had sd lately vacated. And. Abigail
do feel real troubled nbout the chill
dren in this neighhorhood that have
TO walk 50 far to school when the
cattle hfc getting SO fractions. You
heard tell the other day how one of
them run Mis- Staples clean out of
her own ward and into the houSef
She said she'd have been killed. sure,
IL she hadn't streaked it for the house.
and even then, she was so nigh caught
that the steer banged his head against
the door after her"
~ heard Mis- Staples telling that
Abby acknowledged briefly. But
there's no alfalfa field down round the
schoolhouse, so there's nothing to tole
them that way
mo, but there's lots of fields OIL the
way. why, those children have to
walk nearly two miles TO school! Think
Of thatr'
'Twon't hurt emf muttcrcd Abby,
rather sullenly.
| Mrs. Fenton stihed n sigh that was
almost d groan. II hate TO think YOU
are selfish, Abigail" she said, slowly.
But we all know that the folks round
here got up petition asking the conn
| ty superintendent to form a new dis
| trict, so the children wouldn't have
TO go so far, and he came ont hero
and looked the ground over. and said
he'd grant the petition it the folks
could get an acre of land for school
ground in a central location, and they
couldn't, so the plan all fell through"
well, you don't need TO tell me
all that | guess | knew it before, y
replied her daughter. ungraciously.
4 reckon shat nobody knows about
| 1t better than You do. Abby, but il
your grandma had willed that forty
TO me instead of you, the schoolhouse
would be standing over there in that
little grove on the corner. just across
The rcad-so handy!-instead OF where
| il is. And the district was ready and
willing TO pay you a good price for
the land. Abby"
ITS all out to alfalfa, and alfalfa 5
five dollars ton" objected Abby.
How much do you suppose is raised
in that acre in the grove, anyway"
queried Mrs. Fenton. sharply.
Abby did not reply, but after little
she said, slowly: You think I'm self
ish, don't you, ma?'
1t was Mrs Fenton's turn to re-
fleet. Week in, week out, month in.
month out, for five long years this
girl beside her. with face too old
and hands too worn for her years
had borne the heavy burden of care
for a household which comprised an
invalid mother and rebellious, grow
ing children. Perhaps she herself hal
not always done what she could 70
make the girls burden lighter. And
she resented her mothers willing Tie
bit of land to Abby instead of to her
self.
mo. you amt selfish. Abby" sic
said, at last. Il reckon maybe you'se
contrary sometimes, though"
Il am" Abby admitted, candidly.
I'm Just ugly that way. The more
anybody urges me the more set / get
Land, what's that?"
Something in the kitchen had fallen
TO the floor with resounding crash;
the crash was followed by splash
as of miniature tidal wave. Abby
springing to the door, stlfied n scream
at what she saw.
What is it, childf demanded hcl
mother, struggling TO rise.
Lie still. mar Abby commanded
Its that old white COW Of the Triangl,
Bar outfit"
, What" Mrs Fenton's face grew
: shade whittier. "Why, she's the mos
: dangerous critter in the whole coun
try Can you see any more of EN- z
} NO, | reckon she's alone. expec
: she was after the water in the tui
She's standing in the doorway yet,
r and with this explanation, Abby VIC
gan to wave her arms. "Shoo, why
j Get OUT" she commanded, shrillK
n The COW, with low below ofA
: tiance, stood her ground. Mrs. Fer
= ton. who had succeeded In sitting VI
whispered fearfully: "What il sh
II should take a notion to come in her,
II Abby:"
l. Shed take a notion to go OF
D, again' declared Abby. The XII
1t seized stick of tirewood and hurle
y it mt the brute's head. The COW a,
)" knowiedged the attention with an0tht
!" ominous hollow, and put one hoof @
II the door-sill. Abby glanced quick
l. round in search of some weapon
ID defense. The only thing at hand WI
n chair which she caught nm Swim