The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-01-09
THE INITIATION
OF FLORENCE.
RY ROSE Wits JOHNSON
~ NOSE WILLIS JOHNSON


uer warmed his blood
Help Rene clean up" he whispered
20 Florence, as he lighted his stub of
candle at the log. I'm going TO ask
some fellows home 20 dinner. Have
something decent 60 cat"
with the first light Florence shlyered
into her clothes. 1t was Saturday and
Bcn's birthday There was much 20
do which must be done wen.
SO well was It done that by oclocl,
the house reflected a wonderful uster
Rene was at the mirror when Flor.
ence came siding in.
"FlO," the elder sister called pleas
antly, IF youn do something for me
I'll give you dime! There's plenty
Of bread and butter milk and cheese
and there are three panpkin pies
FatheTll be out late, and no telling
when the boys win get in. When they
come, set out their dinner and you
shall have the dime"
Slow dismay usurped the bustllng
cheerfulnes of the child's face. "Where
are you goingY she demanded.
"To the church. Tessie and T."
"But Benz" Florence interrupted.
breathlessly. Its Ben's birthday!
And you said"
20 hush" Rene gave her hair a
vicious twist. and jabbed in a hairpin.
ben won't be in before night. I'll get
him a good dinner tomorrow; perhaps
III invite the minister over l have to
go to-day; I'm on the flower committee.
You'll do all right. If you are lone
some have Ida Barton come over"
Il don't want Ida Barton, ana you're
too mean to liver Florence choked.
you are! I'm not going to your old
church aglin-see If do! You told
Ben"
"NOw, that will d0r Rene inserted
the last pin, and took a critical survey
Of herself I'm not Ben's slave nor
yours Youll do what l say. With
Rover here there's nothing to be afraid
Of"
I'm afraid Of nothing but mean
nessw Florence stormed But words
failed. She turned and fed, banging
the door in way to make the toilet
articles jump in establishment.
"Spitfre" Rem commented, pinnin2
on her hat "she's dreadful! I don't
know what is to become Of her! ]
must hurry. I wonder if Mr.. Morgi,
viii be there to help us:'
When the storm was over Florence
came back to the deserted kitchen
1t was nearly ten by the fat Dutcl
clock in the corner. The kettle sim
mered very invidngly and an expect
ant air peryaded the place. Florence'l
face wore look Of determination.
Ben is going to have his birthday
dinner" she announced to the clock
you needn't look blank and cross
your hands, I'm going to cook it my
selfr
Ii was very cold There was nothing
to save the Easter promise from tht
sword Of the frost Florence's pets, tn
barn-yard fowls, huddled together il
sunny corners, looking frowsy anC
wind-blown. She went out W9non'
them, pan in hand, her ears tinglng
She was a Judas: she meant to betray
They knew no fear Of her. 81
picked Zip a young cochin, who merel.
reached round in an effort to sccur
the corn in her hand
cob, you poor thing, She whimpered
feeding him. 81 have to have you-fo
Ben. 1t won't hurt but minute.
know the axe is sharp-oh"
She leaned against the fence, whit
!, and sick, and the chicken Topped
When all was still, she ventured t
peep. The deed was done Shuddel
ing Violently she snatched up he
victim and he'd, leaving his heartles
brethren fighting over the pan.
One unconsciously imbiBes informa
| ton. How to remove the feathers di
not trouble her now that she la
solved the problem of his head. Sh
f rose with the strength of conviction
she knew she could cook
, How nice it must be TO be Rene
+ to have passed beyond dish-washinG
1t occurred to her to be Rene, and sb
, donned a discarded wrapper and ape
/ her sisters ways. Her enthusiast
: grew. She prepared vegetables an
I watched the pot from which ric
e odors began to rise. Then she turnc
I her attention to the fruit-cellar.
Rene was very particular about ht
d fruit 1t was there for show" To,
2. asserted, in spe2nful moments. The
were vandal hands upon it now TU
@ Of the choicest Jars and a mold Of lei
went TO do honor to Ben's majority.