The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-10-24
MRS. BROWNS
VACATION.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ,,l!ly
-~~~~~~~~~~~-~~~
CO HE house door stood Wide open.
The top OF, the kitchen range
glowed with fiery heat, which,
shimmering out into the sunshine, set
all the atmosphere to pulsing and quak-
Ing with Its Intensity. Just inside, at
4 white-cOyered board laid across two
chair-t0ps, tired-faced woman with
gray hair was ironing. At the sink, a
man stood with half-emptied dipper
In his appraised hand, while the tones
Of his expostulating voice rang out dis
cordaftly.
I'm surprised. Mirandy," he was say
Ing. tibet you should think OF sech a
thing now Of all times. Here's the
plantin' Jest done-look at the heaps OF
money that's cost mean the next
thing'u be hirin' Of extry help for the
haydn. An now You put up an want
money to 50 visitin' In town an buying
things"
He paused, breathless, almost, and
took deep draught from the dipper.
His wife raised her eyelids little az
she answered him.
"It's the frst time sense I'VE lived
with you that hev asked anythin' OF
you. Josiah"
Let It be the last then" he inter-
rupted, quickly; = woman's place is
to home. mindin' her own business and
dom Of her work. not gallivantin'
around an spendin' money"
The heavy pain OF disappointment
was tugging at her breast Just under
the spot where the letter lay. Her sis
ter, younger than she, had married q
well-to-do mechanic. In a small city
some thirty miles distant and had writ
ten inviting her to come there for 4
short visit and a little shopping.
Catch him ever alettin' Of me 70
anywheres or gittin' any comfort" she
muttered. az she sorted out great pile
Of towels and put them to one side.
Tell Helen amt like her. can't 20
an do 40 l please. hain't never had
that chance, sense knew him." She
cast q resentful glance out through the
doorway, whence the sound Of rural
industry came necessarily.
Then she turned away again. went
to the door. and looked sadly, longing
~. at the distant blue hills. Behind
them lay the city and her sisters home.
For years she had planned this visit,
worked and added to the savings OF her
husband. until at last, when she had
asked him, fearfully. yet expectantly.
he had refused fatty to consider her
request. And she knew him too well
to think he would repent or reverse his
decision.
Then one morning when the sun was
shining across the dew-laden grass
Farmer Brown strobe out through the
wide gate Of the farmyard and down
into the meadow lot, leaving a tired and
woman behind him In the
tidy kitchen. All the forenoon be work.
ed steadily. sparing neither himself nor
those he hired; and when the sun rode
high In the yellow skies he turned again
to the wide-open door Of the big farm
house for the sustenance Of the midday
meal.
There was no woman in shabby gown
to dish up the food or pour the tea.
Farmer Brown glanced anxlously
around, as II he half expected she
would come out through some Of the
doors that opened ont Of the kitchen;
but there was no sound of football nor
voice. He lifted every latch
and called her name. Only the echoes
gave back the accents through the emp
tiness OF the rooms.
AS he turned again into the kitchen
the CLEAN Of something white near one
Of the plates caught his eye. It was a
letter. He picked 1t up gingerly. looked
L over, and then opened 1t and present.
" had tleciphered its unsteadily writ
ten message:
Josiah
''As long az you win not give me
money nor let me go on my visit us I
Intended to. have taken It into my
own hands and gone without your let
Or hindrance. lou need not look for
me, for you cannot find me; and espe-
cially don't 60 to Helen's to look for
me. for she knows no more than you do
where am. All 1t Is. am going to let
vou get along without me little while,
and | am going to take q vacation.
When l get ready-when you have
missed me little, and learned how
much l do every day. and how much
am worth to you, In dollars and cents
Il am coming back. Don't worry
about me. for shall have enough to
Eat and place to stay. and that is