The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-04-30
How Louise Earned a Gown.
BY Roe L. Hendrick.

Louise said Robert Sears. comm,
IN to supper one hot July afternoon
do you want to earn the best dres
that can be bought in Lisbon-a rea
beauty?"
Wat a question to ask q girl!
reCded his sister. "Of course l do.
We'll, Charlie and I have decided
10 make you an offer. II you viii
drive the self-binder to cut our wnca
and oats. We will buy whatever ma
terials you may select and pay the
drea4maker besides"
Agreed:" Louise exclaimed with
dllight.
But Mrs. Sears protested. al
takes a four-horse team to draw the
machine" she said. and Louise
never has driven more than q single
span. Besides. she would have to
operate the lever which ties and
throws of the bundles. You should
hire some experienced hand, for it is
= mans work."
Il only wish we could, mother.
Charlie Sears interposed. I'VE did
not wish to ask her, but farm-hands
can't be secured at any price. Ira
Ford was going to change work with
US. but he cut his foot yesterday and
will be crippled for a month"
Your father always believed it
impossible to use q machine on the
hill lots" their mother said. I'm
afraid you're too venturesome."
That was simply because he never
tried. mother" said Bob. III We
we're to cradle those forty acres our
would last till Christmas.
I'm afraid. As for the bundle.lever.
we have set that so 1t will work auto
and Louise can give her en-
tire attention to driving. Both fields
can be cut by going round them. as
cending the easy slope at the north
and coming down the sleeper south
end. Well put the blacks on ahead,
with old Joe and Dolly behind. Louise
really needs to drive only the front
team, for the others will follow with
out any guidance"
why. Of course!" Louise eagerly
declared. Mamma. please don't
you say another word. should be
lshamed to be a country girl and not
lble to help at time like this.
Haven't l ridden the horse rake and
1ay.tedder ever since was ten years
1ld?"
Mrs. Sears sighed. but said no more.
md directly after breakfast the next
Louise climbed to the seat
II the self-binder. Charlie handed
Ter the four reins. which she carefully
'eparated and grasped firmly before
.hirriping to the horses.
She wore a Shaker" sunbonnet Of
traw. the strings of which were tied
,eneath her chin. while her hands
we're protected by q pair of faded kid
gloves. Her short "rainy-day" skirt
vas OF wool, and heavy for the season.
,ut manifestly one of the length
which the dignity Of her seventeen
'ears usually demanded would have
'een far less safe.
: Prince and Pomp. the black four
were restless at first, dan
ing ahead in q manner rather alarm
pg to their driver, but the older
lorses preserved stolid pace which
eassured her.
Bob and Charlie walked on each |
ide. Once in the field, they would
70 kept busy arranging the scatter
d bundles in; shocks. 50 that the long
traw might be cured. by wind. and
un; but now they had opportunity !
0 watch their sister and pass judg- |
aent ON her skill in driving. 4
Iouise found. % Bob had said, that
uid1nE the leaders wGs sufficient The
lder. horses followed >docilely in their
racks. When called upon to pass. at
light angles from the barn-yard to
he highway she felt nervous. but the
ouY II hand and the ponderous ma
hine following made the turn with
ut difficulty. and the narrower pas
age from the road to the farm lane
ras Man1fad% With equal aase.