The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1907-12-06
fortunate,
Sale
By MARY A. DENISON

(Copyright.)

Il wish l could sell Brown Bess,'
said Susy Ross, rinsing the dishes she
had Just washed.
"Ch, Susy!" cried her brother.
What in the world do you want to
sell Brown Bess for?" her mother
asked, looking up from the dough she
was kneading.
Il could go to the academy, mother,
for two more terms" was the answer.
Then perhaps l could-get the school
at the Corners"
Nonsense, Susy. l need you to
help me-" her mother said. Keeping
school is a thankless business"
Its money" said Susy, and l do
long to help myself, and you, too.
Money will do everything that needs
to be done"
Yes. that's a fact" spoke up Tom,
land there's lots to be done. I'd like
to clear that %five-acre lot for potatoes
and corn. but l can't do it."
And the house wants Singing"
her mother said plaintively, her care
worn c~ountenance taking on another
shadow.
THE front doors got a crack all
the way across" Tom spoke up again,
and there ought to be a fireplace in
granny's room. Then there's the barn;
it's all We a do to. keep the bay
dry"
4 know all that" said Susy. Il
know the house is getting to be a
scare-crow, and the barn is worse, and
that's why I want to be earning.
That's why I want to sell Brown
Bess."
And If you do sell her. you won't
get much" Tom said. She's so full
of her tricks-the craziest colt 1 ever
saw"
I'm more and more afraid to have
you ride her" her mother said. But If
you should sell her, there's the mort
gage to be paid in October"
III I sell her." said Susy, quietly,
1T will be to finish my education"
That's always your cry" her moth.
er went on in plaintive tones; mo
matter what's needed: but I s'pose
We must give in. Bad as the roof
is. 1t shelters Is. What would We do
without a house over our heads?"
I'd sell the COW. too" put in Tom.
And then grandma would just
about s%tarve," the mother supple
mented.
Susy turned away from the table,
angry and grieved, but she said moth
ing. only ran upstairs to her own
room.
They don't see it," she sorrowfully
murmured. They can't understand
that it's for their good and comfort l
want to get that school. I'm willing
to wear old clothes and to walk three
miles and back every day for the sake
of finishing my education. Let the
roof leak awhile. Let granny sleep
downstairs where there's a fire. I'll
help them all in a year or two-but
they don't see it-they won't see it.
II l could only sell Brown Bess! I'd
go and beg time for the mortgage, or
I'd borrow money-or, maybe I can
get enough to repair the house and go
to school. too. II only Brown Bess
wasn't such a little vixen! It will 20
hard to part with her. though: it was
fathers last gift"
Tears rushed to the dark eyes. but
she r%epressed them and went down.
stairs.
After helping her mother about tho
house she donned her sunbonnet and
ran to the barn. Tom was rubbing
down Brown Bess, whose bright, CLOS
sy coat shone like satin.
Much as 1 can do to take care of
her." said Tom. "She wants a regu.
lar groom who would break her Of her
nasty little tricks. See how she
her head up, and look at her
eyes flashing like FIRE! Are you going
to the store? Mother wants sugar and
mOlasses and vinegar-and I've got to
60 in the field"
Yes. I'm going" said Susy.
though I dread it. the bill is so large.
II l sell Brown Bess, that's the first
thing Ill pay"
THAT and the mortgage" said
Tom. well. I'll saddle old Dick"
Susy mounted to the back of the
slow old cart horse with gloomy fore
bodings. 1t was a warm September
lay. Even in the midst of her anx.
the beauty of the ride to Hillston
Ioothed and delighted her. Every de-
TAIL of the way was familiar to her,
when she came to the Silver
Ledge falls, and saw the white spray
over granite rocks and dane.
ng among tiny islands, she stopped
I'D Dick and sat enjoying the scene as
( she had never beheld it be.
'ore.
Good morning" q voice said be.
lind her.
"Oh, Charlie!" she exclaimed with
start. Il didn't hear you com.
n.y."
mo? The falls are so loud. 1 saw !
rou at the bend and followed. Coins |