River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-11-13
A WOMAN WHO
WAS FREE
Bv FLOY CAMPBELL.

| TT HEY were driving along country
| road together, through the gath
ering dusk, when one of them sald,
looking at the dying light in the west:
cts getting pretty late, Anne;
| hadn't we better start for home?
Mother is always worried about me II
Pm out as late as this?
Anne shrugged her shoulders impa-
tientIy, as she turned the horses about.
81 wouldn't be the bond slave you
are for worlds" she said; cts bad
enough to be tied down to that poly
old schoolroom full of stupid children
for six hours a day, but you tie your
self to the whims and notions of all
your family, in addition; it is simply
enslaving yourself, as | said, and l call
it silly"
Maybe it isl responded the slave,
cheerfully, but if you have family
and conscience-you must sacrifice
a few of your own whims and notions
to the family's, you see"
''Then I'm glad / have no family;
I'm free at least"
The word free is a seductive one.
momentary wistful curve. She thought
of the other woman's easy life; clear
income, no daily grind of work, the
ownership of this pretty cart and
team, the wearing of dainty and rich
garments, no routine family hours
that must be kept-and-no home,
but the fashionable boarding house.
no mother, no sister, no father, no
brother to bear with, love and help her,
and to be In turn, borne with, loved
and helped.
''I'd rather be a bond-slave," she
said, decidedly.
Anne lifted her eyebrows. Each to
his own TASTE" she replied, 'I'll drive
fast for you, then, Slavey."
But in spite of the fast driving, it
was quite dark when the cart reached
the home of the bond-slave and the
free woman, declining an invitation to
''cOmc in" drove on
The door was flung open, letting
food of light stream on the walk, and
an anxious voice called:
"Is that you, Madge? Where in the
world have you been? l was scared
to death about you, child"
"Oh, Anne came with her new dog
cart and took me driving after school;
and it was lovely, mother, so lovely
that I forgot the time until it was al
ready twilight"
'Well, dearie, I'm glad you could
have the pleasure. Anne's very good to
you. But [ wish you would be little
more considerable about staying out so
late, when you know how it worries
me. Why anything dreadful might be
happening to you, and I not know it.
And we're all through dinner, too.
Yours is hot in the oven, but it's new
er SO good when it waits"
Its all right, mother. Now, don't
scold and I'll never do it again until
the next time" said Madge, giving her
a hasty hug and kiss as she ran in.
But her mother did scold a little.
for mothers can never realize that
their golden haired lasses and lads
have become men and women, and no
longer need the anxious mother-care.
And that very troublesome over-anx-
iety is one of the greatest safeguards
ed, she hustled about, with her young
er daughter Sarah, bringing the hot
tea and potatoes; and rejoiced over
the keen appetite with which Madge
demolished the simple fare; and while
the three "did up" the dishes. thew
told each other all the days news.
And I've got a new duet, Madge;
come and play it with me when we are
through here" coaxed Sarah.
and l have a new book, Sally Ann.
that I want to read" leased Madge.
But Sarah dragged her to the piano
by main force and promised not to in
terrupt her once again that evening if
she would play the duet ''iust once"
So Madge played and admired it duly
before she took up the book.
She was deep in the first chapter
when a walnut-stained hand pulled
it down, and a pair of boyish ewes
laughed audaciously over it.
"Oh. say, sis, 1 think you're the
incest sister in the world! Honest In
jun, now; l was tellin' Jim and Walter
this afternoon"
Nov, Ted, is it quarter you want,
to treat the boys, or cover for your
book. or candy pull next week, or
lesson you can't get yet?" Madge
laughed in turn, for she knew these
symptoms of old.
you've hit it. It's that beastly alge-
bra" he groaned; II can't make head
or tail of it,"
Madge put down her book with re-
gretful sigh, and a last glance at the
interesting page.
Bring on your bars, !" she quoted,
I'm ready. Wen see if we can't find
head and tail BOTH
For the next half an hour algebra
held the floor. Ted gradually ceased
the desperate pulling at his hair, and
smoothed out his brows.
That's better" he said at last
''Guess 1 can get it now. Much obliged,
sis. You're a cherub.' And he gave
her back hair an affectionate rumple
by way OF thanks.
Then mother, coming in for mo-
ment's chat, must be told all about the
day - school-must give her counseI