The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-05-10

I am wont to call this secret pres
ence the little spring.
''The little spring" said. she
knows She stays even when everyone
snnnoses that she has forgotten"
Then Peleas came in, and the win
try sun touched his white hair as 1t
touched mine, for we are both 10.
"Ettare," said Peleas, Nicola has
friend who is i'll In the hospital. she
has gone TO see her and she has got
IN her place for to-day the most pathet-
ic little woman. She is down there
in the kitchen now making salad"
"Then her salads will be good
said. Haven't you often noticed how
the disappointments in life come out
in appetizing dishes or exquisite
needlework or beautiful dispositions?
"Ah, yes" said Peleas, but their
eyes never look any less sad. wish
we could cheer her up. Her name Is
Mary"
Presently went down to the
kitchen.
MARY" said what fresh, crisp
lettuce! l am glad to know that was
right. thought the world smelled OF
spring this morning"
Spring ma'am?" said Mary.
"Yes-spring," said March, April,
May. Surely, in spite of the snow. you
have not forgotten"
Mary smiled family, and sighed. so
many smiles are sighs!
NO, maam." she said, Il have not
forgotten"
"Ab, no." said zone doesn't for
set. Mary | pursued. IF 1t were
sprint what would you rather do than
anything else?"
20, ma'am," said Mary.
For myself" said l, spring or win
ter, | wlsh-let us both wish-to be
near to some one very, very dear
"Oh, maam," said Mary. "Yes'm."
"Ah we'll" said as left her, this.
/ am persuaded. is very special day.
And / know that spring Is some
where about listening"
went back upstairs smiling at the
pleas ant mystification in Mary's face
In the upper hallway Peleas stood
with n workman,
"Eltare." said Peleas, this man says
something about water-pipes."
"Ah." said !, "to be sure. The wa
ter pipes in the attic. Have you for
gotten the school playe'
Il had" Peleas confessed. Il had
This will be the man to make thu
fountain that Lisa wanted"
This will be the man." assent
ed, and let us so up to the attic a
once"
Here Lisa and some of her butter
fly friends had begged leave to CONF
on holiday, and-pursue a most as
tonishing course to which Peleas AM
I had assented only after proper hesI
tation They wished to give her
kind of play, and they had selected on
attic for the simple reason that tn
heroine of the piece lived in an al
tic chamber. all cobwebs and rafterf
and fell asleep and dreamed that sh
was a princess by fountain in ga
den, and met there the prince waitin
for her After which, she awoke an
found herself in the attic, fountai
and princess crown gone but tn
prince was still there among the col
webs and rafters.
Its nice and warm up here" b
said.
THAT" said I, smiling at my ov
image in dusty mirror. lis no doui
because spring Is In the world,
spite of the snow"
'1tll be a late spring. along o II
almanacs," said the man, THROWN
down his kit OF tools.
"Nonsense!" said /, ut will be q
early spring can tell by the WI
the snow Is piled!"
How dare any one prophesy la
spring? Why should not everyone [
through the winter prophesying {
early spring, happy in the confiden
that the prophecy would lure on Il
spring itself? Everyone ought
least TO understand that spring
really in the world all winter long
only one knew how to look for It.
ut will be an early spring." I
peated firmly How can you he
thinking so WNen you can muhe U
spring wherever you go--you. yourse
mean?"
The man looked startled.
a. ma'am?" he asked.
Certainly" ! cried, IF could
about all winter carrying little tc
In my pocket which would make
attic floor and lead pipe blossc
into a fountain, ! should not find
hard 10 believe that ] could make
spring whenever | wished"
why, yes'm." he said. I've thong
that myself sometimes"
Let us have" said ! to the mi
this fountain of spring come up he
between this old chest and the d
mer window. hope" | added, I'll
this is quick spring, because tn
are coming here TO rchearse this aft
noon, and they will want the fol
tain"
aT'iue hare spring" he said Il