The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-01-03
QUESTION OF
INCOME
By BELLE MANDATES
Copyiah. 1904. by Belle MAniales
COpyiahL 1904. BY BeVe MAniale.

On butter day" little Susie Bradley
always wiped the breakfast dishes.
She was making but little progress
with that occupation now, however, by
reason Of running to look out the win
dow every few minutes Although she
took handful of silver, a platter or
a pile of plates with her on each trip,
wiping as she went, she was not keep
Ing pace with Rosie, the help, who was
washing the dishes.
Il VOW, Susie, this is the tenth time
you have gone to that Window
"Oh, l can't wait to see herr sighed
Susie. Il am so afraid the train is late"
The coming of the city cousin, Kath-
Ign Randall, was always an event The
visit generally occurred in strawberry
or harvest time, but what could have
induced her to come to the farm In
November was beyond the combined
conjectures Of the Randall family. She
had written short note saying she
would be there that morning for long
visit
Can hardly wait for what, Susie 2"
asked manly voice.
Susie looked up into the handsome
face of Neil Mines, one of the men
from the city who were camping down
on the river for the shooting season.
1t was Neils turn to come for the milk
and butter with which Mrs. Bradley
supplied them.
MY cousin. She is coming to visit
us, and, oh, she is so lovely and wears
such beautiful clothesr
Mines laughed and walked out
through the woodshed and across fields
of stubble to Join his companions.
Il can just imagine the city cousin"
he thought, clad in a bargain shirt
waist suit and picture hat from the
bazaar at $1.39, overwhelming the coun-
try folk about here with her style
He heard the round Of running feet
behind and turned, expecting to see
young colt, but it was Susie.
Mother said / could go down to the
river road and meet them and ride
home with them"
Your cousin will think she has fall
en- in clover when she hears there are
four young men on the premises" he
suggested.
''Oh, she has lots of beaus," replied
Susie loftily
Then she'll be sure to want more
Tell her we are all married, will your"
Susie, however had caught the
sound of distant wheels and sped
quickly away. Mines met them rid
ing in the light wagon Mr. Bradley and
the baggage on the first seat, and Susie
perched proudly on the back seat be-
side the most stunning looking girl that
he had ever seen. Mr.. Bradley refined
up and presented Mines to his niece,
Miss Randall. who acknowledged the
Introduction cordially Then they
drove on, and Mines, recalling her
tailored travelling coat with the big
bunch of violets fastened at the belt,
the chic hat and correct appointments
of veil, gloves and purse, also foreign
labeled steamer trunk, was amused at
his preconception of the city cousin
He went on to the camp racking his
brains for a plausible errand to the
farmhouse, but his wits, usually fer
tile, refused to suggest. Finally he
resolved to go away and await an in
spiration. When he reached the farm
house, Miss Randall, charmingly gown
ed, was in the kitchen with her aunt.
She hardly vouchsafed the young man
a glance.
ooh, Mr.. Mines, what can l do for
your asked Mrs. Bradley.
why oh, we want some more
butter" he said desperately.
what have you done with all that
you got this morning." she exclaimed.
"Well, you see, it's Johnson's turn to
cook, and he uses SO much butterg'
Mrs. Bradleys eyes twinkled as she
got roll of butter, while Susie giggled
outright, and he could see that Miss
Randall was amused, though she was
quite ignoring his presence. Suddenly
1t came to him in a fash that Susie
had repeated his remarks. He turned
to go, and Mrs Bradley said good ma
turedly:
Susie, go as far as the barn with
Mr.. Mines and show him where to get
some cider"
On the way out he asked Susie anx-
iously if she had told what he said.
ooh, yes" she replied cheerfully.
He groaned.
What did your cousin sayY'
''She said you didn't look like such a
cad"
He WINGED and was silent for a mo-
ment. Then he said suddenly:
Say, Susie is her fathers name
Wellman Randall?"
Eyes. Uncle Wellman is her father
He is awfully rich"
OF course he was. Every one knew
of Wellman Randall, the successful
Spectator.
II am sorry" he said half to himself.
"Why?v asked Susie Indignantly.
Uncle Wellman is lovely"
Il know he is. but l wish he were
poor"
Such a wish was beyond Susie's I'M
Outstanding, and she thought he was
joking. All day he loafed and smoked
by himself and thought Of the vision
at the Bradleys. At twilight he insist
ed that the milk was sour and went up
to the house for a fresh supply. BY
good fortune Miss Randall was alone |
in the orchard
Miss Randall" he said, coming up
to her. I'VE are all prone at times to
say utterly idle words that we don't |
mean. couldn't know that you were
THAT | was what?" she asked as he
hesitated.
"That yen were the hundredth wo-
man. Until saw you had no reason
to suppose that you were not one of
the ninety-nine. | don't wonder you
think me a cad though"
She blushed Il little.
Il am afraid Susie is Ieaky," she said.
Further conversation was prevented |
by Mr. Bradley's appearance upon the
scene
Come Kathlyn. if you want to go
with me to see the committee We |
must be starting
Yes. uncle Good night, Mr. Mines"
And she walked away. leaving Neil dis
comfited.
The next day, Sunday, the men were
away from camp fishing save Neil,
whose turn it was to cook dinner. I
While in the tent he hoard steps ap-
preaching and then a fAl Going out,
he saw Susie sprawled on the ground
by the side of pumpkin pie Both
were quite disturbed ON the surface.
"Oh. dear" sobbed Susie, mother
took such pains, and walked so slow
and careful all the way.'
Mines always had tender sympa-
thy with the woes of children. He
picked Susie up in his arms and sat
down in the hammock with her, kissed
her gently and wiped away the rain of