The Washington herald., 1909-08-08
THE NATIVE BORN.
By OCTAVIA ROBERTS,
By OCTAVIA ROBERTS.

The spring had come at last and over
the rich black acres of farp land that
stretched endlessly from horizon to hori-
zon the farmers sowed the corn; not
primitively by hand. as their fathers had
done, but seated behind two stalwart
horses on vermilIion planters which
dropped the kernels with automatic regu-
larity into the bosom OF the earth.
But in the farm house among the ever
greens the farmers wife washed and
baked. made butter. cared for the poultry
and fashioned garments with no more
Improvement IN method nor hope Of CO.
operation than her mother before her.
Patiently she accepted her lot only
thankful that the winters isolation was
over. But the girl who helped with the
spring cleaning. every time that her eyes
wondered TO the open window was filled
with vague unrest. Outside among the
downy leaves Of the backward oak trees
she could see the birds flashing in riotous
life. while on the gentle slope OF pastur-
age the cattle grazed in herds and the
humble litter OF the barnyard teemed
with the manifold life Of the farm. In
the great stretch Of prairie man alone
was solitary. and the the girl turned
from the view of widely scattered teams.
the distant school house and the square
OF white that marked the only other
habltation TO sigh. It's lonesome, amt
t2"
Then. as II ashamed OF her mood she
laughed apologetically Il oughtn't TO say
anything about being lonesome to-day.
Mis- Dlxon--I don't know when I've en-
joyed myself more; and we've done a
sight OF work, too. II every one was like
you person wouldn't hardly have a right
TO complain; but when your own home
amt none too pleasant" she stopped
significantly 20 look with wistful. dewy
eyes at her friend
Sympathy and curiosity were mingled in
the older womans face as she asked:
Yer stepmOther unkind TO you, Myrtle7''
''Well. a person couldn't hardly call her
unSind, but she's naggin' and aggravatln'.
and when you've run a house as long as
I run pas It amt so easy to take n back
seat" She paused a troubled moment
before adding She amt above Settin'
1
Only this morning she wouldn't let her
take one OF my crIllers TO school-said /
they were heavy. Did you ever hear OF |
my crullers being heavy?" She glanced |
roguishly at her friend. sure of vindlca- !
ton.
shes jealous. She knows the reputa- |
ton you've got for pies and crullers. TO |
say nothin' Of light bread. Pa was say |
ing this noon that he didn't ask anything /
better than 10 set down to Myrtle Rowe's 4
custard pie and TO top 1t Off with
cruller."
The girl smiled absently. i've got 10
set out Of here. Mis- Dixon. don't
know whur I'm goin', and I don't know |
how. but I'm goin' to get out and make
a home for little Ruth. Mis- Rowe can
care for pa" Her eyes flooded.
you amt going to set married."
THAT wouldn't be out" the girl laughed. |
that would be in. No, maam. I'm /
a-goin' 70 town" She raised her voice as !
If in prophecy; Yes. ma am, I'm a-goin' |
70 town. I'm goln TO live with folks. |
plenty Of EN-; maybe I'll get to hear
some music; maybe I'll learn how to play
myself, and as soon as / can I'm goin' 10
send for little Ruth. Wen live together.
somewheres"
Myrtle, Mrs. Dixon began. catching.
her mood. do you remember those folks
who come out here one June?"
The girl nodded The Meekers?"
Yes Well. she's wrote me. asking If
I couldn't get her help in the country
She says the town girls are about wear
ing her out. They break her dishes and
waste the food. She's president Of some
society ye can't belong 20 unless your
folks fought in the Revolution-'C Children
Of 16.' her letter paper says and she's
took notion she wants an American
girl TO help with the work I've been
so drove I haven't answered her letter:
but why wouldn't you Ike to 20.
Myrtle?"
The girl frightened. Where does she
live-Fairview?"
''Fairview! No. indeed She lives in
Gardner"
Gardner" The girl drew a qulvering
breath OF delight I've never ben 10
Gardner. I never hoped to go. What
does she want me TO dO?"
Mrs. Dixon searched in an ample
pocket for letter II
She wants you to cook for herself and
hef husband. They keep only one girl Z
I'D like 10 know how many more she'd ,
WANT, the washing is all done out but Z
you'd have to keep the house clean and !
open the front door, !
open the door, Does she set that down !
in letter? I shouldn't think she'd need J
help In opening the door" She laughed
again, her eyes overlooking with light and q
life at the prospect Of change. WAS she :
q pleasant lady?"
pleasant enough. as town folks 60" !
she got any children?" :
No; but her niece Is coming 10 visit i
her-narried an Englishman and lives in
London"
''Ye don't say"
There's only one thing about the place.
Myrtle Mrs. Dixon hesitated-"you !
with her at the table" =
Why not?' The girls eyes flashed.
We'll. she explained it 10 me when she =
was here. You see she likes somebody to !.
pass her the dishes who doesn't have 10 .
be jumping up You've been to Taylor's ,
ice cream parlor in Fairview?" (,
Yes"
We'll, Hetty Bangs fetched you ice
cream, but she didn't set down and have
some, did she. or expect you TO dish II for k
yourself?' 7
No; she didn't" the girl admitted. and n
the oeaming smile habitual 10 her rippled v
once more over her cCmely face g,
Twa'n't you felt better than Hettv.
was IL? No. Well. that's the way il will -
be 20 Mis- Meekers. She'll pay you well v
for the work-dve dollars a week-and
you must help her In every way you can. q
You're wishing for a better education: g.
think what help It will be 70 live with a p
ady like her. Maybe she'll let you take
some OF your wages out in music lessons.