The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-06-19
Changing Places
With Jimmie.
By w. F. BRYAN.
convright, 1908, by Associated Lit
erary Press.
,.anaNstseNeSNNNeNeANNN%W

oiozza tapping the floor with the tip
hor daintily booted foot and slap
,nr Of her habit skirt with a silver
mounted crop.
II was perfect day for ride. The
lissed the peaks of the low chain
~ hills to the west. and in between
-os +he bright green of early summer.
,-o+rre was in her kindliest mood. but
Iocoueline did not share it.
Tho groom was slow about bringing
-. ,nonnt around, and while she wait
~ . dozen couples had cantered past.
,rino their hands gayly to Jack.
nut no cavalier waited to assist her,
- no smart cob whinnied inpatient
~ over the delay in the appearance of
her own horse
PRESENTLY the groom would lead her
horsa to the block, he would assist her
n the saddle with the perfunctory care
If a hireling and she would go canter-
inp off alone to her ride.
Il was this fact and not the SLOW
,osS of the stable hands that brought
tho frown to Jacqueline's face. For
.be first time in her life she was tired
= hping the boy of the family.
Whom stalwart John Norwood had
loaned over the cradle to look down
info the blinking eyes Of his freborn
tho baby had seized the proffered fin
per in sturdy clasp and her father had
cbuckled with delight, -.-----.-.,e,-,,--.
ashes shaking hands like the little
Gentleman she is" he declared. Then
and there he had named her Jacque-
line that he might call her Jack
uo seemed to find comfort for his dis
onnointment in her sex by making his
little daughter as boyish as possible.
In her youth, thanks to his training.
she had been given over to tomboy
tricks When she was thirteen and q
baby brother came to share her reign
she regarded the newcomers appear
ance with contempt.
Tm the best boy" she declared
with emphasis, and she took pride in
her fathers assurance that she was
indeed. Jimmie became his mothers
net, while Jack still chummed with
her father. and as the boy grew up
delicate and pallid Jack seemed tc
gain mannishness by contrast.
She was the golf champion of the
country club. not in the ladies' class.
but by virtue Of having beaten all the
men. She could ride wherever man
went. could shoot straight and handle
cue. She was voted a good fellow"
but now, on the eve of her twenty-sec-
ond birthday, Jack turned rebellious.
Her thoughts were interrupted by
the appearance of the groom with her
horse. and presently she was cantering
down the drive to the highway. Once
on the road she eased the horse into a
trot The cliff road was accounted one
of the most beautiful in the state, but
Jack gave no heed to the beauty Of
the scene.
Phil Minturn had cantered past with
Bess Farley just before she had START
ed out. and his careless greeting had
wounded her
She had been good chums with Phil
ever since she was little girl. and
he had always given her the same
careless greeting of fellowship. but this
morning it had Jared. She knew that
he did not really care for Bess.
He had said so more than once. but
Mrs. Farley would not let Bess ride
unless there was some one with her
who could keep watchful eye on her
mount, SO Phil, being a neighbor. had
come to the girls relief
As with Phil, so it was with the
other men. They were all good chums,
but they were only chums. Jack
could not recall tender speech ever
made to her, and, carrying her intro
spectiOn further, she did not blame the
boys for regarding her as one of them
selves. Even in the evening her thick
dark hair was severely done and her
dress was in keeping.
1t came upon her with all the sud
uenness of revelation that she had
missed the pretty speeches which she
nad pretended to despise and that her
heart clamored for the rights of young
womanhood.
With lips that pressed hard together
she turned her horses head toward
nome She scarcely recognized the peo-
PIE she passed. and it was not until
sne mad almost reached the house that
her attention was attracted. She heard
ner brothers voice raised in appeal.
and through sheer force of habit she
prepared to come to his rescue.
ine boy never had been permitted to
nsn1 MS own battles, and in younger
uays Jack had sometimes come to his
assistance with her own sturdy fists.
No" she refined in her horse and drew
.ear the hedge which separated her
IRON the little boys.
Anere were a dozen Of them, sturdy,
'anneo Youngsters with dirt on clothes
aad countenances, and In their midst
ssooo Jimmy, immaculate in blue vel
vet with long golden curls.
us not my fault" he said in ag.
srieVed tones. 'I'm not old enough to
sus my own clothes yet You fellows
~g Ign let me play with you"
GIT" wan!' was the unfeeling response
we don't play with girls"
,on IN not girl" asserted Jimmie. II
'ell You it's not my fault"
boys don't wear velvet dresses" re-
,-uued his tormentor. "Come on, fell
~, Lady James going to cry"
ho WIN burst of derisive laughter the
boys ran off. For moment Jimmie
made as though to follow them hnt h,