The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-07-17
Mary Ellen's
Boycott
And How 1t Worked Against
Her Father
By JANE VAN NAME

+ ! i !s.-s...
Mary Ellen Flynn was going to have
new dress-her father had promised.
To be sure, he had promised three times
before, but this time he had seemed
more interested somehow, and. besides,
he had agreed to stay with the children
while she went to buy It.
In all her sixteen years there never
had been anything that Mary Ellen
wanted half so much. Anticipation
had thrilled her deliciously all day, and
her imagination had reveled in bewi-
dering assortment of fluffy light blues
and frilly pinks. She had finally de-
cided upon light blue. She sat on the
doorstep and planned how she would
make it while she waited for her ia
Their.
The last rays of the sun touched with
fairy fingers the blossoms of the scrag-
gy little ounce tree that struggled for
existence in the corner of the yard, and
Mary Ellen changed her mind once
again as to the color of the dress. 1t
should be pink-that soft, lovely shade
In the ounce blossoms. She broke off
one of the flowers. brushed two great
Jumps of SCOT from its petals and gaZed
frowningly. at the tall chimney of the
rolling mill short distance away.
Mary Ellen's father worked in the
mill and made good pay, but he had
two cronies who were always waiting
for him on pay days in the doorway of
Kelley's saloon. 1t was never a diff
cult matter to persuade Flynn to try
his luck at cards, even though he inva-
riably lost. His friends kept him gen.
erously supplied with his favorite brew
while they coaxed the contents of his
pockets into their own. In the same
proportion to his losses Flynn acquired
crustiness. and his family bore the
brunt of chronic crouch.
Mary Ellen's mother was dead, and
for two years the girl had been mother
to the little brood of three-the twins.
Jimmie and Annie, and Toby, baby
of two. She washed, scrubbed, cooked
and mended, working as hard and as
faithfully as woman of forty. 1t was
a dreary, monotonous life for girl of
sixteen, and Mary Ellen hated it all
the dark, smoky kitchen and the wash
tubs-with strong unwavering ha-
tired. She never went anywhere, for
there was no one with whom to leave
the children. Her holidays in two
years she could count on one hand
and have fingers to spare. though if
there had been opportunities to go out
with the other girls she had nothing to
wear. Her wardrobe had dwindled to
one dress. decidedly the worse for
wear. for it had done service for mar
ket and meeting for months.
1t seemed sometimes to Mary Ellen
that every other girl in the world but
herself had good times and pretty
clothes. These things, she reasoned
and proved by her bosom friend, Kit
ty Reilly, belonged to youth. and she
had bitter telling Of resentment that
waxed strong with constant nursing
that she was being deprived of her
rights. She thought of the talk she
had had with Kitty only that morning
and Of the chance that was hers If
only she could obtain her fathers per-
mission. A girl who worked in the
store with Kitty was going to leave,
and Kitty wanted Mary Ellen to take
the place They paid 81 a week.
She thought of the pretty clothes
she could buy-not like Kitty's. for she
didn't like so much lace on her dresses
or red shoes OF the near willow plume
that was the pride of Kitty's heart.
Her mouth quirked pit at the thought
that she, a Cinderella with one shabby
dress to her back, should dare criticise
such gorgeousness as Kitty's.
Mrs. Duffy, who occupied the floor
above the Flynn's, on her way to mar
ket stopped minute to gossip.
"Ain't yer father come yet. dearie?"
she asked
mo. but he'll be along soon now"
II s'pOse you'll be a-daZzlin' us to-
morree." observed Mrs. Duffy, for
Mary Ellen had told her about the
dress.
(which would you get" the girl
asked. happy little culver in her
voice, "a pink or blue one?"
Light blues BEST" decided Mrs.
Duffy after careful survey of Mary
Ellen's face and figure. 1T 'ud 60 bet
ter with your hair than pink. You've
got beautiful hair, child. Make him
give you enough for a good one," she
said kindly as she went down the
steps. you've earned it."
Mary Ellen went in and looked at the
kitchen clock. 1t was fifteen minutes
past her fathers usual time. What if
he had forgotten and gone to Kelley's!
She looked apprehensively in that di'
rection, then resolutely refused to wor-
~ about it. She hummed little tune
to reassure herself
But as she watched he came around
the corner, and she knew that he was
bringing some of Kelley's wares with
him, just enough so that the carrying
of them made him ugly. for he wore a
scowl as black as thunder cloud
"Well. are you workin' hard?" he
growled. where's m supper?"
Mary Ellen followed him YEARLY
into the kitchen and took the food from
the oven. She poured his coffee and
placed everything within easy reach
She hung around while he ate. fussine