Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-02-25
THE INITIATION
OF FLORENCE.
BY ROSE WILLIS JOHNSON.

"Flo," the elder sister called pleas
antly, "if you'll do something for mt
I'll give you n dime! There's plenty
Of bread and butter, milk and cheese
and there are three pumpkin pies
Father'll be out late, and no telling
when the boys will get in. When they
come, set out their dinner, and you
shall have the dime"
Slow dismay usurped the busting
cheerfulnes of the child's face. "Where
are you going?" she demanded. e
"To the church. Tessie and /"
"But Benz? Florence interrupted,
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 good dinner tomorrow; perhaps
I'll 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"
II don't want Ida Barton, and you're
too mean to liver Florence choked.
"You are! I'm not going to your old
church again-see if l do! You told
| Ben"
"Now, that will dov Rene inserted
the last pin, and took critical survey
of herself. I'm not Ben's slave, nor
yours. You'll do what 1 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 fled, banging
the door in way to make the toilet
articles jump in establishment
"Spitfire" Ren commented, pinning
on her hat. "She's dreadful! 1 don't
know what is to become of her!
must hurry. I wonder If Mr.. Morgie
will be there to help us?
When the storm was over Florence
came back to the deserted kitchen.
| 1t was nearly ten by the fat Dutch
clock in the corner. The kettle sim
mered very invitingly, and an expect
ant air pervaded the place. Florence's
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 1t my
selfw
1t was very cold. There was nothing
to save the Easter promise from the
sword Of the frost. Florences pets, the
barn-yard fowls, huddled together in
sunny corners, looking frowsy and
wind-blown. She went out among
them, pan in hand, her ears tingling.
She was Judas; she meant to betray.
They knew no fear of her. She
picked up young cochin, who merely
reached round in an effort to secure
the corn in her hand.
"Oh, you poor thing" she whimpered,
feeding him. II have to have you-for
Ben. 1t won't hurt but a minute. 1
know the axe is sharp-oh!'
She leaned against the fence, white
and sick, and the chicken Topped.
When al was still, she ventured to
peep. The deed was done. Shudder-
ing violently, she snatched up her
victim and fed, leaving his heartless
brethren fighting over the pan.
One unconsciously imbibes informa-
ton. How to remove the feathers did
not trouble her now that she had
solved the problem of his head. She
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 she
donned q discarded wrapper and aped
her sisters ways. Her enthusiasm
grew. She prepared vegetables and
watched the pot, from which rich
odors began to rise. Then she turned
her attention to the fruit-cellar.
Rene was very particular about her
! fruit. 1t was there "for show" Tom
asserted, in speenful moments. There
were vandal hands upon it now. Two
Of the choicest jars and n mold Of jelly
went to do honor to Ben's majority.
Ben, meanwhile, was walking soberly
homeward. His heart was heavy with
the Encouragement which falls easily
upon the young. How many times had
he plowed these fields? How many
times gathered the harvests-for 9TH
ers?
Tom had given voice to a thought
long dormant in his mind. Why linger
in the rut, why go on as father and
! grandfather had done before him?
There was youths natural longing
/ for change, coupled with silent, soar
ing ambition. Who knew to what
heights he might not climb? There
We're none to care for him here, none
save little Florence.
so mother." he whispered with a
sudden sob. "Motherw
Behind him a merry "Hallo!" from
lusty lungs made him turn quickly.
Tom and three of his young friends
were coming up from town. One of
them was the young minister upon
whom-Tom asserted-Rene was cast
ing gentle glances.
"Wait, Benz Tom called. "Going
home? So are we. The boys and Mr..
Morgie are here to do justice to Rene's
cooking. Fly up, and let's hear you
! crown