Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-01

Miss Emily sat alone in the village school
room. The floor was swept clean and the
mans were rolled into their cases. Tardy
list and honor roll alike had been rubbed
from the blackboards. Bees droned over
the glass Jars on the window Lodges, hiieu
with violets and wild honeysuclle, and the
warm June air drifted in. heavy with the
shouts Of children. celebrating two months
of freedom. She knew the girls were pick
ing their way carefully through the village
square, while the boys. with cumbersome
Sunday shoes slung over their shoulders
were making straight for the creek.
II had been exactly like every other clos
ing day in fifteen years past-the arrival
of primly gowned and admiring mothers
songs and recitations, then shouts and
drouing bees. with a small Barlow hanging
behind his playmates to demand the privl-
lege of throwing away the flowers and rms
ing the Jars. a privilege refused gently but
regularly each last school day in June.
Why Miss Emily could not exactly eX-
plaIn but somehow this devotion on the
part Of the young Barlows had been thorn
in her flesh Apparently they had inherited
il from their father who had urged Emily
Trowbridge to marry him the first year
after she had returned from Normal, and
she had refused him because-she had not
loved him All WeStfield considered this alb
surd. and when misfortune overlook the
Trowbridge family and Miss En- ly' be-
came its sole support. more than one pracu-
cal dame declared the girl had met her
''come-uppance." Later Barlow had mar
ried a practical pushing woman, whose
wash was always first on the line, whose
bread and pies always took first prizes at
county fairs. and who increased his account
at the savings bank. If not his peace OF
mind. She always treated Miss En- ly
with an air of patronage which amused the
dun-colored little school mistress.
Now, on her way home. Mrs. Barlow was
waiting for her with arms folded on the
honeysuCkle-hung fence.
We'll. Emily, what You going to do with
your vacation? | suppose you'll feel like
playing the lady this year. with no family
your hands
Miss Emly's lips quivered just a trife
then she pulled herself together For. an
instant sense of utter loneliness had swept
over her.
Il haven just decided Amanda" she re-
piled quietly. Il think l shall rest for
few days AT least The school has been
very large this year. and L m really tired.
well, | was just going to say that If
YOU want to make some money you might
go into chicken raising. Your yard is just
fine for chickens. and my new incubator
has turned out we'll The chicks fine
and healthy too. If you want to buy an
incubator like mine you'll have all summer
to experiment in. and I've got a catalogue.
You ought to begin with a smaller one
than mine. You can get a real nice one for
S12J.
Miss Emily smiled and moved on.
Thank YOU. Amanda / may think about
it, If decide TO try chicken raising I'll
be glad TO look at your catalogue.
Emily Trowbrdge is too easy going to
make money" soilOquiZed Mrs Barlow as
she watched the slender figure disappear
under vine-clad porch five houses beyond.
zone hundred and twenty-five dollars,
Why. | might well plan buying
castle in the moon as an incubator"
But there was no bitterness in her tones,
and her lips smiled even as tears gathered
in her eyes. She hung her shabby sailor
hat on the rack and went into the sitting
room. Her fathers old-faShioned desk
stood in the corner by the west window.
She unlocked drawer and drew forth
battered black bill book. In one pocket
was a hve-Golar bill She studied 1t
thoughtfully Five dollars to tide her over
until September l.
Fifteen years of hard work and 50 to
show for It, And yet there was no resent
ment in her soul for mother and father
had gone peacefully 10 rest, sister had