The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-11-02

their arduous studies OF the Normsi
school, under the great elms on the
grassy slope in front OF the Packard
farmhouse.
Josephine was 10 and good 10 look
upon, with fair hair blue eyes, q
supple form and dainty gown Al
berta, her friend, year older, large,
dark, dignihed, stylish, was also good
to look upon. Both were In the en-
joyment OF perfect health and each
prided herself on her muscular devel-
opment and powors of physical endur-
ance--and intelligence.
In the farmhouse, In the Kitchen,
with a very hot stove for company,
was Josephine's mother, ironing a
much beruffled white muslin dress be-
longing to the aforesaid Josephine.
She was plump, busy, cheerful,
little woman, whose greatest happi-
ness in life was to have other people
take comfort" She had two ideas Of
comfort: the one for her own exclu-
sive USE the other for the rest OF the
world.
The first was work; she believed,
or pretended, or imagined, that only
in keeping eyerlastingly at 1t could
she by happy. Her ideal for every
body else was idleness.
There was one exception, however
to this almost universal acquiescence,
and as Mrs. Parkard finished the mus
lin this exception appeared In the
doorway, and resting his hands high
up on either side Of the door, looked
into the ldtchen--a we'll built young
man with a frank, pleasant face. He
demonstrated with his aunt In hals
joking, half vexed way, for dolng the
work OF "those two lazy, good-for-
nothing girls"
"They are much better able to do
II than you are. and have half
mind to go and tell them So"
"oh. well, they're young said his
aunt, indulgently do let them take
comfort while they can. Hard work
will come to them soon enough"
4 wish II would come right now"
said Sam. "They deserve good
shaking. and ia like to be the one TO
give il them"
That evening a message camc which
was an urgent summons TO the bedside
Of dying sister
aHow can goi exclaimed Mrs.
Packard in great distress Of mind.
"What is to hinder your going?"
cried Josephine, warmly. Il should
think II was great II Alberta and !
couldn't do the housework for q day
or two You must go-you shall go
Sam took her to the railroad station
very early in the morning, speaking
comfortably to the anxious little wo
man, who felt almost like a criminal
In thus spelling the sorely needed
vacation Of the two fragile maidena
whom she left behind.
Nov. don't you worry, Aunt Eliza
BETH" he said, as he bade her good
bye. "Ill keep an eye on the girls
and give thenia Hit now and then, and
If they show signs Of collapse, iii take
hold and do the work myself"
Aunt Elizabeth seems to think you
girls are a pretty helpless lot" OBJ
served Sam. carelessly, after he ar
rived home.
Il know it," returned Josephine. half
vexed. 4 don't see but what we get
along beautifully, and believe that
Of the complaining about
housework being SO hard and disa-
greeable is clear rubbish"
Il am surprised, really, to find it 80
easy and pleasant" said Alberta.
Il wish mother didn't make such
hard work Of it,a continued Josephine,
with pensive regret she keeps trot.
ting all day long. and there isn't a bit
of need Of IT, But of course" she
added. excusingly, "she can't move or
think as quickly as a young person"
Sam turned his head TO hide a very
broad smile.
1T seems a pity she should hurry
home, when It is so wholly unneces-
sary, now doesn't it2" he questioned
"She so seldom gets away,
and there are host Of relatives
around there that she has been want
ing to visit for years"
why not write and tell her to
stay?" said Alberta.
q could do that" said Josephine
.'It would be great fun
SO the letter was written-indeed
each member Of the family wrote a
letter, even Mr. Packard, who detested
letter writing from his very soul, and
Mother was given TO understand that
everything went on swimmingly with.
out her. and that her presence in the
family circle was not desired for six
weeks at the very least
Sam very kindly offered the girls
the loan Of his alarm clock. and set It
for them at halfpast four. for Mr.
was 20 begin on the meadows
the next day, and they would want an
early breakfast
1t seemed TO Josephine and Alberta /
as though they had hardly fallen /.