The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1908-06-19

~ ~ - w +"
She Was a Picture as She Climbed
to the High Seat.
some one questioned her intention TO
lead IF one o. them teams stalls, the
whole procession is fioored. No, sir
rec! | got good wagons an a good
team; an I'm goin' through on time,
am"
The tarpaulln-covered wagons were
drawn up in front of the hotel. Sally
B. inspected everything with tie eye
OF an old teamster-harness, coup
lings, the adjustment of the load.
why, ma, you looked it all over be-
FORE" Viola said, tagging her mother
like a shadow.
Il know that; but accidents hap
pens in busy times. Then them pesky
hostlers might think 1t was funny ter
fergit something cause I'm woman.
Men think themselves so smart! That
Shack lowed | didn't need any back
action with my load"
We'll, do you, MAJ" Viola only
asked to hear her mother vindicate
herself before the admiring bystand-
ers.
We'll, don't 1? S'pose I'm goin' to
use up yo' paws fine stock a-puttin
all my load on one wagon? What did
he send two wagons fur If wasn't ter
use EN-? I'll work that back-action
on all the heavy spots. an git the load
an yo' paws team inter Virginia
ahead of Gid's teams, an in good
order. See if l DON'T"
You bet you will, MAJ" Viola ex-
claimed with ardor and unusual slang.
The moment for starting came, and
Sally b. turned to her lately arrived
helper. Jimmy Dart, you do yo' pref
tiest fur the shebang an I'll make We
glad" she said, and wheeled quickly to
hug her dear women folks" Viola
she held in her arms for a silent mo-
ment.
Take keer of her, Stella" she said
softly, placing Viola's hand in her
teachers. She's the hull world to
me-"
Il will, Mrs. Sally" Stella saw a
tear on the dark cheek as Sally b.
wrung her hand.
She was a picture as she climbed
to the high seat and took up the lines.
aptly as Uncle Billy himself. Driver?
What do / need of driver? I've driv
six Golly! l wish had a doller fur
every mile I've driv six, the swing
team a-buckin sometimes like a fresh
converted sinner agin ole Nick"
She wore a short. dark wooden skirt,
a calico waist, a white kerchief around
her neck and a mans felt hat. It'll
last better'n a woman's," she told the
girls. Huge-wristed gauntlets made
her hands look ridiculously small, as
did the high-booted foot that swung
out on the brake.
The sun had chased the mercury far
above the hundred mark in shady
hooks. On the porch the heat was in
tolerable. Yet the hotel people and
town folk were gathered there to see
Sally B. off, and Vic Wah had donned
four satin coats in her honor.
Sally B. loosed the brake a trifle,
called to her leaders, waved a last
goodbye and was off down the hill
The load shook little and settled to
its long haul, skyward as well as east
j ward. The horses, rested and fresh,
snorted and tossed their heads, ratified
their metal-buckled harness; and one
of the swing team danced sidewise
down the road and out of sight. Sally
B. looked back frequently to see II her
freight was riding safely; and at the
last turn in sight, took of her hat and
swung II to the girls and grandmaam
yet watching from the hot porch.
The crowd soon melted away and
left the three alone. Stella put her
arms around Viola, and they stood Sc
an instant, both forlorn, oppressed
Yet with one accord they remembered
grandma'am, and turned to help heI
back to her cool room. And in that
service the homesick moment was
conquered.
CTO BE CONTINUED)