Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-09-19

AapP neaiCny country girl OF me-
dunn height and broad shoulders. Her
face was tanned and so were her arms
TO- the elbows for though she rather
disiiked the fashionable short sleeves
ana never wanted them in her nice
dresses, tney were SO convenient in
her common dresses that she generally
had them.
Now the bread is finished and il ia
getting late. guess will run RIGHT
along mama, Evalyn called from fhe
doorway to her mother, who was at
work in the garden.
Very we'll, take the sack that had
apples in before answered Mrs. Hunt.
had better take back Aunt Emily,s
umbrella hadn't I, she will think I
never intend to?
Yes, do, and don't be gone long dear.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, said Evalyn, and putting
on plain straw hat, she caught IN
bag and umbrella and skipped out Of
the yard and down the road. singing
snatches of songs but soon she was
walking enough, life was not easy for
her, it was work early and late for that
Is the program on most farms.
She soon reached her grandma's and
ran gayly up the walk. She could see
her aunt at one of the parlor windows
but suddenly the bright face clouded
for she caught the sound of strangers
voice within but when she walked in
her brow was clear enough.
Hello Evalyn, come right in, mama
has gone to Mans you know.
Oh! has she, how are aunt Mans, all
well l suppose.
Yes. You are to have the thrashers
soon aren't you?
Yes tomorrow. They are thrashing
at Mr.. Hudson's now and expect to be
at Mr.. Jackson's by noon and then they
come straight to our place. [ came
down to see if I could get some apples
please.
Yes certainly, all you want if you
can find them. guess you know as
we'll as where to find the best.
Yes, can find them, thank you and
with parting smile she slipped out of
the house into the orchard and hasten
ed to pick up her apples for while
talking she had lost some valuable time.
II her grandma had been there, they
would have both picked up the apples
and Evalyn would have made the
garden ring with her gay laughter as
she told of everything that had
happened. Now the sack is some over,
half full nearly a bushel and going to
the house she borrowed string to tie
it up with and was soon on her way
home.
Her grandma lived on by-road
about a quarter of a mile from the main
road and half q mile north on this road
lived Evalyn. She had just turned
the corner when her ear caught the
sound of fast approaching hoofs.
CHANGING over her shoulder, she saw q
horse coming toward her at a wild run
drawing light buggy in which sat
little girl scarcely four years old, the
lines were twisted around the buggy
whip.
There was no time for thought, Eva
Ign dropped her apples and stood ready
and, as the horses head shot by, she
sprang catching hold of the bride
putting all her strength in one effort,
she brought the horse to trot and
soon had it stopped. The little girl
was sobbing wildly and Evalyn gath
ering up the reins got into the buggy
putting her arms around her and
comforted her as best she could. AS
soon'as the little one was partly quiet
she turned the horse and set out for
town. She had not gone far before she
met a buggy in which sat white
faced man. At sight of the child, he
stopped his horse and springing out
caught The child in his arms, while
others, who had joined in the chase
gathered round and Evalyn dreading
the thanks hurried away and was soon
picking up her apples which had come
united when she flung them from her
shoulder, fastened home and made no
mention of the runaway until she and
her mother were alone, she skipped
over her own part dwelling only on the
beauty of the child
Nearly week went by and then
there came letter containing check
for five hundred dollars. 1t proved
this man was rich manufacturer who
had been in town on business. He
had left the child in the buggy and the
horse united in front of store where
he meant to stay but minute. He
had scarcely entered when an automo-
bile came up, up went the horses head
and away he went.
Five hundred dollars. Oh! mama
am | to keep it?
Why yes, dear, think the gentle
man would be much offended if you
returned it.
And 1T will take only two hundred
dollars more to take me to college when
l am old enough and didn't do much
either.
The mother only smiled.