Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-03-29
Am ] so very terrible 2"

you were Very--Yefy stand Oftish
VIII You have some sugar In your
tea? ! made some toast Papa
she stopped suddenly, then went on in
a subdued voice--"papa used to say
that made toast better than any of
The others. He Is dead" she added.
after another pause, and Leslie saw
her eyes grow dim behind the glasses
when did he
Three months ago. He was "A
country clergyman down Wealdshire,
He caught fever visiting Il parish.
'oner, There are seven Of us, and
mother. I'm the second
She poured out the tea while she
was speaking, and was obviously fight.
ing with her tears.
Seven of u.s. Just fancy! Poor
mother didn't know what to do SO !
came up to London to fight my way In
the world, and ! mean to fight It, too
What awful stuff London milk is, isn't
It? ! don't believe there Is a par
tcle OF cows milk In II, do you?
Seven Of us--three boys and four
girls-and we are as poor as poor
can be- Won't you take some milk
If one can call It millt?"
And you are young to fight the
world" said Leslie, with tender
sympathy for this young girl who
could be so cheerful under such ad
verse circumstances, What are you
going to do?"
Lucy Somes laughed ms she put a
fresh piece of toast In the rack.
I'm going to be n governess
"A goyerness? In gentleman's
family"
Lucy Somes shook her head en-.
phaticaly
oh, no, thank YOU know what
that means. Six young children to
teach, all the mending to do, aud
heaps of other things for twenty
pounds u year-less than they give
their cooks, No, no; am going to
be the mistress OF one Of the country
schools"
fcSF said Leslie, vaguely.
Yes | am going to try to get the
mistress ship OF board or voluntary
school In some country place.
couldn't live In London. don't
seem AS IL ! could breathe here Every
morning wake and fancy have
been shut up in "A coal mine Did you
ever notice how the smuts come into
tho room when you open the window,
and that's what London folks breathe
all the time"
ut does not seem to disagree with
them, said Leslie, with a faint smile
1T dlsagrees with me-" retorted
Lncy, laughing, "Oh, no, no! Give
me tho country, with plenty of space
to move about. and the flowers and
the birds, and butter that isn't man
nfactured from fat, and milk that
isn't mixture Of chalk and water
Don't YOU think II will be very nice to
be the mistress of school in some
pretty village? There Is always a
nice little house for one to live In,
and perhaps ! could afford to keep n
young girl for servant, and--and---
he able TO save some money to send
10 mother TO help her out with the
rest Of us.
Leslie listened, and her conscience
smote her Here was this girl, no
older than herself, alone In London,
and so bravely ready to fight the
great battle thinking little of herself
and SO much of those dear ones she
had left behind.
"Of course am rather afraid OF the
exams" went on Lucy, knowing,
somehow, that the best thing she
could do for this sweet. sadlooking
Girl was TO talk of herself aud 80
coax Leslie from dwelling on her own
sorrow. They are dreadful; but |
have been working hard, and think
! shall pass III show YOU some OF
my books, shall l--may L? But you
must have your tea first quite com.
| fortahly, II was so kind of you 10
como down 10 me; was feeling SO
dreadfully lonely and--and friend
less. London is such big place ia
be alone in, isn't IT."
All yosM said Leslie.
Il tried to make friends with the
sparrows." said Lucy laughing; ~
put some crumbs ON the windows sill at
breakfast and they came and ate
them But they are not like the
country sparrows they look, some
how, 80 dissipated | suppose it's
because they sit up late, like every,
body else in London, And the ami
mails are different The very horses
look knowing and sharp. Now you
shall sit In that easy-chalr while
show you my books And halt
timidly she put Leslie In the chair and
arranged a cushion for her as If she
were a great invalid
1.eslie's tender heart melted under
all this gentle sunshine OF sympathy
and friendliness, and when Lucy
kneeling beside her, opened her books