The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1908-01-28
O6e
Spirit of Revolt.
1t Endeu in Content for Two DiScon-
tented Sisters.
By SUSAN BROWN ROBBINS.

4"3ia COuHlSu the little Pile OF DillS
the second time, then she rolled them
up and put them back in the tin bak-
! ing-powder box
"A hundred and fifty-four dollars"
she said, as she put the cover on. She
rested her elbows and looked YEARLY
out of the window. You might go
this afternoon and put it in the bank?"
Ruth, her younger sister, sat in the
rocking chair beside the stove. AL
though the October sun shone in at
the west windows, there was a cold
wind blowing, and the warmth of the
fire was very comforting.
Suddenly Ruth spoke passionately.
I'm tired of being poor, and I'm sick
to death of the way we live"
so am l." said Myra, without chang
ing her position or her expression.
I'VE never go anywhere, nor see
anything, nor hear anything"
"Or know anything" Myra said
duly
ITS all very we'll in the summer"
said Ruth. It's fun to see things
growing-the flowers and vegetables
and to have folks come and buy
them. We work hard, but that's kind
of fun, too, while 1t lasts. But we don't
have any other kind of fun, and I'm
tired of it."
$50 am l." Myra repeated.
When the fall comes we count up
our summers savings and put them
in the bank, and that's the end OF
everything till the next spring.
Through the winter we just stagnate."
'Vegetate," said Myra
IF only we could hibernate it
would be some satisfaction, but we
can't" and Ruth fell silent again,
brooding discomfort and rebellion in
her eyes. Presently she spoke again
Lots and lots of folks who don't
work half as hard as we do have
everything. They don't earn 1t,
and we do. We work hard enough to
have everything we want, and | say
we are fools if we don't take what we
want It's our right. | don't care
what folks say. We've tried being
poor and honest long enough and
have seen the folly of it. Let's try
the other way for while"
Myra turned in her chair and look
ed at her sister. But how" she
asked.
Ruths eyes flashed and she spoke
vehemently. Sell the farm and then
go to the city and hire a big house
and furnish it elegantly; entertain.
go to concerts, opera, theatre, lee
lures, and enjoy ourselves generally"
How could we pay for it?"
Ruth laughed recklessly. Don't
pay for it" she said. T"Pay for thea
tire tickets and things like that. but
not for the necessaries of life-house
rent, food, fuel, lighting. I'm tired
to death of paying for the necessaries
of life"
$50 am 1, said Myra
Let's do 1t. then"
But Myra was more cautious. I'VE
might want to come back to the farm"
she said. Lets take this money and
go to the city and stay as long as we
can, and then come back home"
That's So" agreed Ruth, lets.
Won't It be fun to buy house furnish.
ings on installments?"
And owe the grocer" said Myra.
! And the coal man" said Ruth.
and we won't do stroke of work
from morning till night
mo. we won't"
Both fell silent, making plans. Their
faces were lighted up by new hope.
and they smiled at each other hap.
PLY.
Il don't see why we can't go by the
first Of November-all the fall work
is done" said Myra. Then a sudden
shade OF CONSERVATION crossed her
face But what shall we do with the
house and the cow and the horse?"
oh dear / had not thought OF
that" They looked at each other in
alarm for some minutes
ooh. / have it," cried Ruth. she
jumped up and walked excitedly about
the room. "Old Mr.. and Mrs. Kelsey
would be tickled to death to come here
and keep house for us You know
they are perfectly miserable at the
poorfarm'
Yes, that's so, and we've got stock.
ed,up with provisions and vegetables.
so it wouldn't cost them hardly any
thing 10 live"
Why, they'd sell milk at the door,
as we do, and that would almost keep
them supplied with things they'd have
to buy. that and the eggs"
80 20 would"
A little later the sisters had gone
20 the city, and the old couple from
the poorfarm were comfortably set
tied, perfectly happy in their new
independence and quiet solitude.
AS for Ruth and Myra, the large
house OF their dreams had been re-
duced to three pleasant rooms and a
tiny pantry.
It's really all we need" said Myra
Yes" acqulesced Ruth I'VE can't
afford to keep servants. and we don't
want any moro rooms TO care for"
"And I think we'd better pay one
months rent in advance" said Myra
I'VE won't have to worry about that
item. then"
mo" said Ruth. craftily. and Il