Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-07-16
She Was a Picture as She Climbed
to the Hiah Seat.

some one questioned her intention TO
lead. II one o. them teams stalls. the
whole procession is hoored. No. sir.
rec! | got good wagons an a good
team: an I'm goin' through on time,
am"
The tarpaulin.covered wagons were
drawn up in front of the hotel. Sally
u. inspected everything with the eye
Of an old teamster-harness, coup.
lings. the adjustment OF the load.
Why. ma, you looked Il 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 Il woman
Men think themselves so smart! That
Shack lowed / didn't need any back.
action with my load"
Well, do you, MAJ" Viola only
asked to hear her mother vindicate
herself before the admiring bystand.
ers.
We'll, don't I? 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 II wasn't ter
use EN-? I'll work that back.action
on all the heavy spots, an git the load
an 20 paws team inter Virginia
ahead OF Gid's teams, an In good
order. See II DON'T"
You bet you will, MAJ Viola eX.
claimed with ardor and unusual slang
The moment for starting came, and
| Sally Il. turned to her lately arrived
helper. Jimmy Dart, you do yo' pref
test fur the shebang an I'll make ye
glad" she said, and wheeled quickly 10
hug her dear women folks" Viola
she held in her arms for 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 o driver? I've driN
six Golly! / wish had a doller fun
every mile I've driv six, the swing
team a-buckin' sometimes like a fresl
converted sinner agin ole Nick"
She wore n short, dark wooden skirt
a calico waist, a white kerchief arounC
her neck and a mans felt hat. I'll
last better'n a woman's," she told the
girls. Huge.wristed gauntlets made
her hands look ,ridiculously small, al
did the high.booted foot that SWUNG
out on the brake.
The sun had chased the mercury IA
above the hundred mark in shady
hooks. On the porch the heat was In
tolerable. Yet the hotel people anC
town folk we're gathered there to se'
Sally b. on, and Vic Wah had donneC
four satin coats in her honor.
Sally B. loosed the brake a trIfie
called to her leaders, waved a las
goodbye and was on down the hill
The load shook a little and settled Il
It's long haul, skyward as we'll as east
ward. The horses. rested and fresh
snorted and tossed their heads, rattleC
their metal.buckled harness; and one
OF the swing team danced sldewls'
down the road and out Of sight. Sail!
b. looked back frequently 10 see II he
freight was riding safely: and At tn
last turn In sight, took on her hat an'
swung II TO the girls and grandma am
yet watching from the hot porch.
The crowd soon melted away ani
left the three alone. Stella put he
arms around Viola, and they stood 81
an instant. both forlorn, oppressed
Yet with one accord they remembers
grandma'am. and turned to help he
back TO her cool room. And In tina
service the homesick moment wa
conquered.
Cro BE coNTINUED.)
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