The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-15
H0lD Virginia LDent
TO the Picnic.


TwHERE was no doubt about the sel6shness of
the Morrison girls, and that was what made
it so hard for Virginia.
Virginia was their cousin and she and her
mother lived in an attic room in the Morri-
son house; which really not bad as it
sounds for the roof of the attic sloped down 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 Virginir would lean out and say
"Good-morning," and the gray squirrels who
lived in the great tuptree would stop for
chatter welcome to the little girl in the clean
gingham apron with her shining hair braided into
long pig-tals down her back
The Morrison girls had curls, and they weren't
always nice about Virginias straight locks but vir-
ginias mother would say when they teased her. Pretty
is pretty does, dear heart and would rather have
my little girl sweet-tempered than beautiful
There was no denying that the Morrison girls were
not sweet-tempered the morning of the Fourth of
July picnic.
we simply can't ali get into the surrey" they COM
planned, with the baskets and bundles and wraps
you shouldn't have invited the Boothbys," Mrs.
Morrison reproved them "You knew Virginia and her
mother wanted to go'
"If you could just squeeze Virginia in" Mrs. Ran
dali said. anxously, Il shouldn't mind staying home"
Il don't see how we can" was Mrs Morrisons re-
Spouse Il certainly do hate to leave you all at home,
Maybe" agreed Mrs. Randall, patiently; but Vir-
GINA upstairs to 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 to the
picnic
Virginia heard them drive away, and when her
mother up she sobbed harder than ever, ooh,
wanted to go"
i know" her mother said, with her arms around
her. but Cousin Julia very good to let us live here
We shouldn't have any home if it wasn't for her.
and we must be grateful, dear heart"
"But if the girls hadn't invited the Boothbys. They
knew / wanted to CO." Virginia insisted; "and the
Boothbys could have gone with their own family"
Mrs. RandalPs lips were set in a way that showed
Virginia that her mother agreed with her
We must try and make the best of it." 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 gongP she said, as She saw the
carriages hurying by with their happy loads and her
chin quivered
Lets open the old trunks" her mother suggested,
suddenly
Oh" Virginia clapped her hands, rapturously, May
There were four trunks tucked away under the
caves, and Virgnias brads bodied with excitement as
her mother hunted out the little brass keys Of the old
fashioned trunks, tied with faded bits of ribbon
The one with the white ribbon unlocks the trunk
with your grandmother's wedding dress and the key
Win the PINK uT0cKS the trunks with the she
when your grandfather first saw her. and others
with the purple and green ribbons the keys to the
trunks with the travelling dresses and house dresses
Which shall we open hrst9 You may have your
choice"
Lets begin with the pink" Virginia said eagerly
The little key was in the lock- when there
sounding knock at the lower door.
Virginia, hanging out of the little peaked window,
announced, Its man in a big red automobile"
You ID better down and ask him what he
wants. said Mrs Randall with her head in the trunk
And you had better offer him drink of well-water,
Virginia"
The man who stood in the doorway was young and
tall and Virginia liked his smile as he said II wanted
70 know If might 60 into your pasture and paint
the cows"
Virginia's eyes grew round "Pant the cowsr" she
gasped
The young man threw back his head and laughed
mean paint picture of the cows" he fastened to
explain, seeing that she had misunderstood him. Il
won't hurt them"
Virginia laughed too, at that tWeI, it sounded SO
funny the way you said it." she told him.
There's cow the young man explained, that
like and just she is standing in the middle OF
the little stream and there's wild cherry tree on the
bank. couldn't pass and not get sketch of her"
Certainly Virginia said, politely, That Is Butter
cup, and she's the prettiest COW in the pasture
Then she remembered what her mother had said
There's awfully nice water in our weliD she in
formed him, and I'll get you glass"
i would rather drink out Of the rourdD And
@cnletyclank clnkety-clanl1 went the old chain as
the heavy bucket splashed into the cool depths
IA man can't get drink like that every day." said
che painter as he drained the gourd for the second