River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-08-01


old two-story, hip-roof farmhouse were
opened wide
Inside the three Bartlett sisters
were talking so earnestly that they did
not see the young man who walked
across the yard to one of the windows,
and resting his arms on the sill,
smiled as he waited for his presence
to be discovered.
Lucetta, the oldest sister, was
speaking in detected tone. 1T does
seem as if three able-bodied wom-
en-"
who work Ike galley slaves, -
Marinda, the youngest sister, inter
posed
Ought to get living" Rosetta, the
other sister, ended for them. "Of
course they ought, and it makes me
wrathy to think"
oh, now, / wouldn't lose my tenn
per over it," soothing voice inter
rupted
Why, Chauncey PURCELL" Lucetta
exclaimed, severely. you scared me
almost out of my senses!"
The young man only laughed in an
sWer and going around to the door
came in where they were"
Now, what were you girls quar-
reling about?" he asked, when he had
satisfied Marinda as to when he had
come, how it had happened that he
could come, how long his vacation was
to be this time, and if he had been
hnuon bnfOr0 he oaUon fhprn
Nothing of Importance" Rosetta
answered quickly, coloring little.
Cant you make the farm pay?"
he persisted.
NO" Lucetta admitted unwilling
y. "That is, not really. OF course we
contriye to get along and pay our
bills, but things are running down
a little right along"
Chauncey Purcell regarded them
thoughtfully. It's because you are
women" he said The trouble with
you is that you lack originality.
You've got the idea that you must
folloW the antiquated methods of
your reat-granGfather Why don't you
end just the kind of work you like,
and then make business of it? Fol
low the lead Of your natural inclina-
lions? Do the thing you're fitted for?
Blaze a trail?"
, Doesn't it sound easy-when neigh
Dor Purcell says it," said Marinda.
What you girls need is a man
ager," Chauncey concluded with an
air of conviction Especially Rosetta, ;"
he added, with a meaning glace to-
ward her
Perhaps you'd like to take the con-
tract to manage u.s." Marinda mock
ed
Il would like to-" he answered
promptly.
THE idea of our being managed by
little thing like you!" said Lucetta.
why, / used to wheel you around in
your baby-carriage."
Must have been quite a tug for
you, being only four years my
senior" he retorted
Then you positively refuse to let
me manage you, singly or collective
Iy?" he asked, glancing again at
Rosetta
Certainly we do"
We'll, then suppose do it without
your knowledge or consent?"
Il dare you to-" said Rosetta quick
". Il rather think you'd find it the
most difficult undertaking you ever
undertook. Selling goods to unwilling
customers wouldn't be circumstance
to it,
The young man looked at her quiz
zically for several seconds, then gave
a short laugh and changed the sub
iect: but he was somewhat absent
minded on the rest of his stay, and
seemed to be studying on something
that interested and amused, while it
baffled him. He came over again the
next morning, while the Bartletts
were at breakfast. Il suppose you've
made all your plans for the season S
campaign" he asked quite respect
fully
Yes; we're going to try very hard
this year and see if we can't make out
to accomplish something" LNcetta an
swered choosing to overlook the bad
image of the day before.
We're going to raise onions, pota-
toes and peas Marinda informed
him.
With a good vegetable patch for
our own use" Rosetta amended.
How about your flower garden?"
We've decided that we cannot af-
ford to have one" Lucetta answered
firmly
Not have flower garden, when
you are all so crazy over flowers and
your luck with them in the despair of
all the women for miles around
Pshaw."
If we could exist without eating,
we'd do that, too" said Rosetta bit
terly
If we can only get the farm on a
paying basis. we can make up next
year for not having flowers this" said
Licetta hopefully.
"Oh, have a flower garden" urged
Chauncey Let me make it for you
I'm to have a good long vacation this
time. and I'm aching for some useful
thing to do. Really, shall feel hurt
if you refuse.
They looked at each other. eli
doesn't seem as though you ought to,