The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-21
AN AMATEUR MILKMAID.


door closed behind him, Judith turned to-
ward her mother and sister with fierce
Indignation in her brown eyes.
Il wish you wouldn't do that, mother"
she said in a low voice. 1T is perfectly
horrid to ask visitor to milk the COW.
You know father will be home in half an
hour and ne can do 1t then just as well
as not Ever since John Harwood has
been coming here you and Sylvia have
seemed to want to make hired man of
him, getting him 10 bring in wood and do
errands and milk. Father, too always
keeps out of the way Wednesday after
moons so as to get out of doing all the
work he can. l feel ashamed to look peo-
pie in the face"
There that will do" said Mrs. Sim
mons, sternly. 81 guess John isn't too
good to help us a htIe."
But he has his own work to do before
he comes here"
We'll" said Sylvia with a shipper, he
seems to like to come, just the same. How
many times has he been here to supper
the last two months?"
And to-day" Judith said hotly, of all
times. when he is going to take Sylvia to
that dance, and has come with his best
clothes on"
well, we gave him your fathers over
You are altogether too particular" said
Sylvia contemptuously. Don't you know
that If you get folks to do things for you
it makes them like you all the better?
And, besides, it isn't any of your affair,
so you needn't get so excited about it.
He doesn't do the things for you, SO you
can forget all about it," and Sylvia laugh
ed rather unpleasantly.
When little 1ater, John HARDWOOD came
in he wi
smile, went forward and took the pail
from his hand. $50 good of you," she
murmured
She carried the pail into the pantry.
Here, Judith" she said, cant you
strain the milk? Don't make me stand
here holding it all night" She did not
know it, but the young man heard what
she said.
At supper time Mrs. Simmons passed
the cake to the guest. Sylvia made IT,
she said, with a fond glance at her eldest
daughter.
Indeed" said John, land did she make
that delicious bread?"
mo" said his hostess a little shortly,
judith made that"
Now, if you will go in the sitting room
and wait a little While, l Will be all ready
said Sylvia when they rose from the ta-
BILE. "If you can help me, mamma, IL
won't take so long"
Thus Judith was left alone with the
dishes. When she was alone 1t was her
habit to sing to herself. So, forgetting
all about John Harwood. she was soon
singing happily about her work.
Suddenly a strong bass voice Joined IN.
She looked quickly toward the sitting
room, but no one was in sight, so, with
only a slight hesitation, she kept on,
feeling a thrill of delight as her clear
soprano was supported by that vigorous
bass.
When the song was ended John appeared
at the door. He looked at Judith with
interest.
Il did not know you could sing" he
said.
II don't think you know it now" she
said, deprecatingly. IT just hum little
to myself once in a while, but the others
don't like to hear it."
you ought not to disparage your abil-
ity / took a few lessons once, but if
ia had as good as voice as you 1 would
not have given it up"
'T wish could take lessons, but 1
never have time. 1 know 1 don't do il
right and that is why / never want any
one to hear me. i forgot you were list
ening.
Just then Sylvia appeared.
Judith, she was left with her dish wash
ing. Once she passed the back of her
hand across her eyes and the hand was
| quite wet.
1t was the next Wednesday but one,
| and Sylvia and her mother and John
! Harwo.d were in the sitting room. Jul
dith was getting supper in the kitchen.
When it was $50 o'clock she went out
into the back room and put on an old
| calico skirt Jacket of Anticipated fash
| ion and on her head a huge sweeping
| cap.
Then she took the milk pail and lantern
and went out to the barn. "There'n be
time for me to get through before he
starts out, and I can get these things OFT.
/ should hate to be seen in such regi-
mentals
Fifteen minutes later John HARDWOOD
went to the barn Sylvia and her mother
had failed to find the milk pail, so he
had taken the next best thing, large
| tin nail with straight sides and no strain
er. The lantern was missing also. but,
he said, he could manage without 1t.
when he got to the barn he saw in
the light cast by the lantern a grotesque
figure seated beside the COW.
what are you doing?" he asked as
soon as he had recovered from his first
surprise.
'sMilking," was the brief answer.
| He listened a moment. II beg your
pardon" he said then, but you are not
| milking, you know-and you are cry
| ing"
She sprang to her feet and faced him.
The pail fell with clatter ana the COW
| kicked spasmodically.
"Of course. I'm crying" she sobbed.
| '"Who wouldn't cry to find they hadn't
| wit enough to milk a horrid old COW?
| And-and she kicked me over three times.
| Why, Mr. Harwood. what are you dong?"
Il am just putting my arm about you,
and as it is going to stay there for a
while, you needn't look so horrined. First
let me get my handkerchief and wipe
away these tears-that is better. Now
want to know why you were trying to
milk that cow"
Because l hate to have you do 1t, and
I couldn't stand II any longer"
but | don't mind doing IT,"
well. mind having you. Now, please
let me go. or you will be late to that
| party
what party?'
''Why, over at Upham Center. Aren't
YOU going to take Sylvan"
mo. / am not. l did think OF II, ont
as long as l did not say anything to her
about it l am not going. Not that
should feel obliged to go. even II had
said anything-now. Do you want to
know what I am going to do this even
ing?'
YES"
81 am going to stay and visit you. And
! o., hor,a van are going To promise