The Republican journal., 1902-03-06
HOW DOROTHY FRANCES SAVED
THE FARM
BY ELLA ALWlLDA WENTWORTH

Dennison do stop that eyerlastin' scrib-
bin an bestir yerself. Here's all
this milk ter skim. the chickens ter
feed an cookln' ter be done, and yer
pas gone ter the station ter meet yer
Aunt Tilda. Seems ter me you Amt
done nothin' for a month but moon
over books an scribpe Come, be
lively now or Yer pan be here afore
We git ,nythin' done, an | wouldn't
hev yer aunt Tilda see us in this fix fer
anythin' in the world, she's SO neat an
pertikelar herself, can't bear to see a
speck O. dust on anythin'. Dye hear
me. Frahces?'
The girl addressed as Frances looked
up with a start. ''Oh, mother | forgot
AL about the work, will put my writ
ing aside at once. and we will have
everything in order before auntie ar
riyes.' And suiting the action to the
word. she quickly donned al apron that
completely enyeloped her slender figure;
then, SEEING her mother about her
ample waist, she waltzed her about the
room until the good lady dropped nearly
breathless into the nearest chair.
''Sakes alive. Frances" she gasped
you'll be the death O me Wit. ! never
see sech a girl il all my born days. you
air lest Ike Yer pa when he was young
fer all the world
Frances laughed merrily, her Wine
brown eyes dancing with mischief, and
the dimples playing at hide and seek IN
the rose tinted cheeks. 'Now then,
you blessed Old mother, You skim the
milk while feed the chickens, then we
will get the cooking done in a very short
time and be all ready to sit down with
auntie when she gets here
Mrs. DenliSon arose with alacritv and
resumed her work, and in a short time
had everything in the pleasant kitchen
III perfect order. Dropping into chair
with sigh. she looked out over the
green expanse of field and meadow ly-
ing warm and beautiful beneath the
summer sun, aid another sigh heavier
than the first involuntarily escaped her
lips. "TcO bad she murmured, latter
Ali these years of slavin' and workin' ,
that the Old place should hev to go; an
60 it Will unless We kin raise the money
ter pay off the mortgage by the ff-
teenth of August, and ] know it's Jest
impossible to do It; fer what with Silas
l0sin' two Of his best cows, an the hay
crop a failin last year, an him bein
laid up with the rheumatic all winter,
it took all we he'd saved, ter pay the
doctors bills an live. An we he'd count
ed 50 on bein able ter pay it off an be
out Of old Squire Hardy's clutches.
But now it's Jest impossible: that's
what It's Yes the old farm'll hev ter
go. And a tear gathered in her eve
and rolled slowly over the plump cheek
that still retained much of its girIish
bloom. suddenly she sprang from her
seat. Frances Frances, child, come
quick. / see yer pa comm round the
turn by the river an yer aunt is with
him. Fer the lands sake hurry Wont
1llda be glad to see US, its bin five years
II its d day sense she was here afore'
Frances came flying out, and together
they stood i'll the yard to welcome their
visitor. \ little rosy faced woman of
about five and forty years scrambled
down from the high old fashioned
wagon and rushing up to Mrs. DENIM
son elasped her III her arms kissing her
many times over.
ooh. Cynthy" she cried. I'VE don't
know how glad | am ter see We once
more. thought one spell / never
should agin,. And this is little Dorothy
Frances, never should d knowed her.
Why she's groWed inter a young lady: it
does beat all how time flies Come
mere, GEAR an le' yer old aunty hev
e"po look at ye, ..., -.,
iahceS came loTWdlu ana Pllttllg
ileI arms ABOUT ilef aulll neck Kissed
AeI Warmly IN so 2iad TO see you,
auhlle, we We're AFRAID That something
ihlgliV happen 10 prevent you from COM
ing: but you must he tired and hungry
alter your lollg Journey SO come right
III ana rest, ana uiother ana VIII have
dinner ready Oh me taDle IN no time
nan AN lollf latef happy group
gathered ABOUT The well spread board,
ana tlere was S" inucn TO be sad, and
50 many questions 30 be asked and an
s"efeo, Iiiat the halds OF the OLD CLOCK
III tIe corner pointed 10 tlle hour OF one
before the meal was over. 'Graclous
Itter. evacuated the farmer suddenly.
one O'Clock, and all that hay III the
South nleuueI Ter CIV III alofe supper:
guess II nave ter hustle some. And
SeZlhg MS hat he started Tor the barn.
FRANCES arose quickly Now, mother,
you ana a'lllie go INTO the sitting room
Where IL Is cool, ana nave good long
TAX While am Washing the dishes and
putting every tlllhg 10 ilgiltS. Her
Hlolher qua as slie was bldden, and the
SISTERS Settled themselves comfortably
on Oh tlIe chintA-coNeied rockers LOT con-
Hue,ltal ellal-
NV; N!nlhH' Wanl ye should tel
me jest now you dll >lldS All prOSDerll.