Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-04-20
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE GIRL FARMERS
Observation-Disclosures

AOs2OAO &OSO&OesAO AOSOAONOdoa
Characters: Miss Cecilia Preston (2J),
Hiss Dorothy Landon (2H. Scene: An
artistically furnished farmhouse parlor.
Miss Preston sitting by herself before the
fire
Miss Preston (glancing at the grond-
fathers clock in the corncr)-SiX o'clock!
Dolly will he back directly, and then |
shall have to break the news. What will
she say? But Vt tonight, think. She
miy he tired after her journey, and she II
want to know why didn't tell her in my
letters, and of course, she'll be angry.
No; cant do it tonight. Tomorrow,
perhaps
Q3ntcr Miss Langdon, in travelling
dress.)
Miss Langdon (aftcr cmbracing)-Oh,
it's so delightful to be back at the old
farm again, What n shame it was of me
to take such long holiday! Haven't
you been drcadfully dull? Now, I'll have
some tea, and you can tell me all the
news. How are those silver gray Dor
kings doing, and what have you got for
butter lately?
Miss Preston hurricdly)-Don't lets
talk about the farm tonight, Dolly. I'd
ever so much rather hear how you've
been enjoying yourself. Were there nice
people staying at the hall?
Miss Langdon-Ies, very. By the way,
| saw a new churn which,
Miss Preston-Did they laugh at our
starting a farm together!
Miss Langdon-Somc of them made the
usual stupid jokes, pretending that |
couldn't tell turnip from mangold, You
know. AS if we hadn't been running the
y i hon,
they said that-that before long We
should get married (glanccs quickly at
her companion), and that the whole bust
ness would come to an end. Such an alb
surd idea!
Miss Preston docking straight in front
of hcr)-Perfcctly prcpostcrOus. Who did
you say were staying there?
Miss Langdon WnGucly)-Thcre was n
Mr. Ashburton, who was rather nice, and
others. l felt quite ashamed of myself
for stopping so long. How lonely you
must have felt.
Miss Prcston-Not very. There is a
Mr.. Stctway stopping at the rcctory
who's been to call pretty often. Did you
ride much at Somcrlcigh?
Miss Langdon-Ycs, good deal. How
have you been spending your days?
Miss Prcston-Oh. much as usual. Is
The fishing good at Somcrlcigh?
Miss Langdon-Rcally, Cts, you might
have more to tell me after I've been
iway all this time You're very dull to-
night
Miss Prcston-And really, Dolly, you
might give me some account of your Holt
day after having left me alone for a
month. You're not in the least interest
ing.
CA long silence, Miss Preston gazing
abstractedly into the fire and Miss Lang
don tying and untying the tasscls of her
umbrClla.)
Miss Preston Tin a changed voice.
Dolly, I've got something very important
to say to You.
Miss LangdOn (startlcd)-Ses?
Miss PrestOn-YOu remember when we
agreed to work this farm together we
promised each other solcmnly never to
give it up-ncver to marry?
Miss LanGdon (suddcnly becoming scar
lct-YeS, yes, of course. What about
it?
Miss Preston Slowly and tragically)-
Dolly one of us means to deceive her
fricnd-to break her solemn promise
Miss Langdon ito hersclO-This is aw-
tul, How did she manage to find out?
(Aloudl Oh. Cts, ! know it's wrong
and wicked of me, but | only met Mr..
Ashburton three weeks ago, and ! did
tell him | couldn't possibly marry him
and leave you, but he was so obstinate,
and-whatevcr are you looking like that
for?
Miss Preston (gasping)-Do you mean
to say that you are engaged?
Miss Langdon-I really couldn't help
it! (TcarfulyD Don't be too hard on
me. If you only knew
Miss Preston Chysterically) -But-but |
didn't mean you. meant myself!
Dolly. while you were away IIarry-Mr.
Stetway-proposed. and l accepted him!
Miss Langdon-Cis! And after your
solemn word of honor that never, never
Miss PrcstOn-You are every bit as bad,
but I'm so glad you're wicked, too, dar-
ling. (Thcy cmbracc) New tell me all
about your him, and I'll tell you about
mine.
Can interval. Then 20 minutes later)
Miss LangdOn--But what will our
friends say! Yours is a barristcr, and
mines journalist. so we shan't be able
to carry on the farm. Who would have
thought that the experiment would have
come to an end so soon? Miss Preston
seats herself at the writing tablet But
I'm sure it wou!d have been great sue
cess if only What are you writing.
dear? A letter to him?
Miss Prcston-No; look, if yOu like!
Miss Langdon Qeaning over her Shout
der and rcading)-A cOmmodious, well
situated farm to be let.-EX change.
Persian Lamentations.