Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-23

Virginia was their COUSIN, and she ana hei
mother lived i'll attic room i'll the Morri-
son house; which really not as bad as it
sounds for the roof OF the attic slopcd down to the
caves and the birds built in the corners of the little
peaked window and the doves rested on the broad sill
and every morning Virgni' would lean out and say
"Good-mornng' and the gray squirrels who
lived in the great tulprec would stop for moment to
chatter welcome to the little girl III the clean
gngham apron, with her shining hair braided into two
long pig-tails down her back.
The Morrison girls had curls, and they weren't
always nice about Virgnias straight locks, but Vr
cnias mother would say when they teased her. Pretty
as pretty does dear heart and would rather have
my little girl swcet-tempcred than beautiful
There was no denying that the Morrison girls
not swcet-tempcred the morning of the Fourth of
July picnic.
I'VE simply can't all get into the surrey" they
planned with the baskets and bundles and wraps
You shouldn't have invited the Boohbys, Mrs.
Morrison reproved them. you knew Virginia and her
mother wanted to 60
"If you could just squeeze Virginia in" Mrs Ran
dali said, anxously, 81 shouldn't mind staying home.
81 don't see how we can Mrs. Morrson's
Spouse. a" certainly do hate to leave you all at home
but maybe I get to stop for you
Maybe" agreed Mrs. Randall, patiently; but Vir-
gina ran upstairs the little attic room and threw
herself on her bed and sobbed and sobbed while her
mother packed the baskets. with sandwiches and cakes
and everything that the Morrisons were taking the
picnic.
Virginia heard them drive away, and when her
mother up she sobbed harder than ever. ooh.
wanted to GO
~ know her mother said with her around
her. "but Cousin Julia is very good to let live here.
We shouldn't have any home if it wasn't for her,
and must be grateful, dear heart"
But if the girls hadn't invited the Boothbys They
knew l wanted GO Virginia insisted; "and the
Boothbys could have gone with their own family"
Mrs, Randalls lips set in way that showed
Virginia that her mother agreed with her.
Eve must try and make the best Of it., was all she
said.
But the making the best of it wasn't easy
Virginia sat and looked out Of the little peaked WIN
dow: Everybody is going, she said, as she saw inc
carriages hurryng by with their happy loads and he'
chin quivercd.
Oh Virginia eclapped her hands. rapurously' "Ma'
There were four trunks tucked away under tho
caves and Virgnias braids bobbcd with excitement "a
her mother hunted ont the little brass keys OF the Old
The with the white. ribbon unlocks the trunl
with your grandmotcr's wedding dress, and the Ike
with the pink unlocks the trunks with the dress sh
with the purple and green ribbons are the keys to IN
trunks with the travelling dresses and house dresses
choice"
Let's begin with the pink" Virginia said eagerly.
The little key was in the lock, when there came re
sounding knock at the lower door.
Virginia, hanging out of the little peaked window
announced, ITS man in big red automobile,
You d better down and ask him what h
wants., said Mrs Randall with her head in the trunl
And you had better offer him drink of we-wate
Virginia"
The who stood in the doorway was young an
tall and Virginia liked his smile he said Il wane
TO know if ! might 60 into your pasture and pair
The cows"
Virgnias eyes grew round Paint the cows?' 81
gasped
The young threw back his head and laughed.
Il paint picture of tie cows" he FASTENED
explain, seeing that she had misunderstood him.
won't hurt them.
Virginia laughed too. at that "Wcll, it sounded
funny the way you said it, she told him.
There's ono cow the young explained, "th
| like and just she is standing in the middle
the little stream and there's wild cherry tree Il
bank. ! couldn't pass and not get sketch of her"
Certainly" Virginia said politely, That is Butte
cup, and she's the pretcst in the pasture
Then she remembered what her mother had said :
"Thcre's awfuy nice water in Our we,' she i
formed him, land I'll get you glass"
Il would rather drink out of the gourd." Al
"clinlscty- clanl cnkcty clank" went the old chain
the heavy bucket splasled into the cool depths
"a man can't get drink like that every day. sa
the painter he drained the gourd for the secoi