The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-05-17
BLOSSY'S VICTORY.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

gloomy, with skim OF snow whitening the
bare hills, and every probability of a heavy
fall as the day closed in.
Mrs. Arnold came up from the barn,
where she had been giving the last wisp oil
hay to her one mich cow, with small pail
in her hand. A little fairy of child, with
sea-blue eyes and sunny hair, met her in
] the doorway.
won't you give me just little drink O.
milk, mammal" she said, coaxngly; I'm
ever SO hungry, and Brindle's warm milk
is so nice"
Eyes, darling" replied the mother, put.
ting down the pail and going to the cup.
board for cup; poor Brindle is short of
food, and can't give much this bitter wealth.
er, and papa will come hungry by and by,
| but Blossy shall have a little drink
| She poured out few spoonfuls, which the
child swallowed eagerly.
"How NIGEL" she said, smacking her ROSY
mouth. "Oh, mamma, do you remember
how we used to have so much milk, and
nice white bread and butter, too; when
papa used to come home early, and-not''-
she paused, stammering and confused for a
moment, then with tears yelling up in her
wide, solemn eyes: "Oh, mamma she
cried, what does make papa spend all his
money at the tavern; what makes him get
drunk"
Hush, Blossy, hush," cried the mother,
in terrified whisper; you mustn't say
that about papa, never again in your life
Papa's good to you, and loves you. Never
say that again"
"No, ma'am," responded Blossy; and,
looking reproved and penitent, she crept
| over to the lounge, where an old doll lay,
all bundled up in bits of calico and flannel.
She took it up and began to pet and ca.
ress it, as she always did in her moments of
childish trouble.
Poor Dolly, poor Dolly" dropping tears
and kisses on it's faded face; ARE you ever
so hungry, too? Does your brindle cow only
give mite O. milk, and your papa go to the
nasty tavern and spend all his money? I'm
sorry for you, poor Dolly"
The sound of bitter sobbing from the ad-
joining room arrested her attention. 1t was
her mother, weeping as if her heart would
break. A brave, hopeful little woman, for
the most part, who bore her one trial with
accomplishing patience. But at times the
strongest hearts give way, and in the face
of the dreary winter storm, without food
or fire, and her husband expanding his daily
wages at the grog shop, poor Mrs. Arnold
was as weak as a babe.
Blossy listened to her mothers sobs with
wide, grave eyes and quivering lips.
Dolly" she whispered, at last, the rosy
mouth close to the dolls face, sudden re.
solve thrilling through her sweet voice;
Dolly, can't we do something-you and
me, Dolly? We must try-poor mamma
mustn't cry like that. Come, Dolly. you
won't mind the snow, will you?"
She caught up little red hood and hud-
died it over her bright head, and, hugging
the old doll close against her brave little
heart, went out into the darkening storm.
Through the gate, down by the barn
where Brindle was munching her last feed of
hay, across the bleak common, into the
broad highway-never pausing, never falter-
ing, though the pitiless winds beat her back
and the white snow covered her like gar.
ment.
At the door of the country tavern she
paused to take breath.
/ Warren Arnold sat within, in warm cor
ner, with glass of hot liquor before him,
and half dozen boon companions at his
elbow.
The little snowy figure and white, wistful
face rose before him like ghost. He
bounded to his feet in amazement.
Good heavens, it's Blossy Why, child,
what's the matter at home?"
Blossy quailed for a moment, and then
she stood up, strong in her purpose, facing
the cruel eyes that gazed upon her.
"Nothing's the matter, papa" an unut-
terable pathos in her young voice, "only
poor mammals crying, and there's no fire,
and no bread, and-and-Blossy's ever so
hungry, and, papa, love, won't you please
come home, and never come to this nasty
tavern again."
The man had heart, and the child's APP
peal went straight to its core. A sudden
thrill of emotion half sobered him.
"By George, 1 will" he replied, crossing
to her side. Come, Blossy!"
He caught her, hand and drew her after
him out into the thickly-falling snow Half
a dozen yards, and she looked up timidly
to his face.
Are you very angry, papa?" she faltered.
Don't scold Blossy; it was so cold, and
mamma cried SO, that l took Dolly and
come. You won't scold Blossy?"
For answer he caught her up and COW
cred her face with tears and kisses
mo, Blossy, l won't scold," in hoarse,
choked voice; "and, by Heavens help, you
shall never come on another such errand.
Come, let's go to your mother now"
"No, papa" looking up solemnly through
the drifting flakes; there's something you
must do before we go to mamma. Will you,
papa, love?"
Eyes, Blossy, I'll do anything you say"
Then come across to Mr.. Thornton
and sign the pledge. That's where the men
go to do it; and there's his house through
the trees. Will you, papa? That's the way
to make poor mamma never cry any more
will your"
Eyes, Blossy."
She led the way and the father followed,
across the frozen fields, up the lane to Mr..
Thornton's dwelling Blossy rang the bell
with her own half-frozen little hands.
1--WE brought papa to sign the pledge, Mr.
Thornton" she explained, with an air of
solemn Importance, as that gentleman met
them in the library; "and he's never going
to that nasty tavern again, and mamma will
never cry any more"
Mr.. Thornton was much delighted, and
the ceremony of signing the pledge was
performed with alacrity, after which Blossy
and her father started homeward.
Where can the child be-" said Mrs. Ar.
mold, coming down from the loft for the
| third time in her search for Blossy. "She's
nowhere in the house."
She had got over her cry and was pre-.
pairing what she could for supper, in antici.
patton of her husbands return, when she