The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-05-08
her FRESHMAN
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

poor little stick-up got a vicious tug
and was flung across the room and out
Of the window 81 hate hats I've
sorted feathers today till I'm full of
them. / eat them, breathe them, ugh
| can't even look at bird. And I'm
hungry"
The contents of several paper bags
did not look neutrality-suspicious. in one.
stale rolls in another and some old ap-
pies with wrinkles. She sighed. 4
wish | had some of mothers waffles
and chicken, and some corn pudding
and caramel sweet potatoes and choc-
olate cake and custard pie and"
Some griddlecakes and country
sausage and apple dumplings and"
The masculine voice stopped. Clara
Jane turned and stared open-mouthed
at the unexpected person in the door
way. He evidently encouraged conf
dence, for she answered sadly: I've
nothing left to remind me of home but
my name. / hang on to every inch of
it."
But you can't eat that" said the
man. It's awful to be hungry"
How did you get here?"
This came out of the window. /
looked up and saw no one. / rang the
bell. fat woman answered it.
handed this in. She said instantly:
It's Miss Amherst's. You take it up"
For goodness sake, don't ask
thanks for that. l hate it. I threw it
out. l never want to see a feather. |
work with them all day"
Now l must go. But, say, will you
do something for me? I'm going to a
party and my only pair of gloves need
mending. Do you think you could put
in stitch?"
yes, indeed! I'll be glad to-
Then I'll be going by in fifteen min
utes- l can't come up. Have you
anything you can let DOWN."
I'll tie string to my hat"
But when they are done, what will
you do?"
When they're done! Oh, I'll just
whistle"
Fifteen minutes later Clara Jane
drew up the hat, basketlike, containing
large paper parcel that smelled de-
licious when opened
Sausages, a soft-shelled crab, a
baked potato, hot rolls, butter, mar
malade and cake from a nearby res
taurant. I'll have to eat"
So she did-even the potato skin
Then she waited for the whistle, all
evening, but none came and she was
glad of it after all. She was begin.
ming to like her Irishman.
Clara Jane awOke with the birds,
country fashion, put an old buckle on
her hat where the feather thing had
been and drank some coffee made over
the gas jet. Then she went to work.
Her particular department of the big
store was feathers. Il hate to go in, -
she protested as she tied on her apron,
Il wonder if they won't give me roses
and flowers instead. That's the floor
above and it would be a change of
scene as we'll as occupation. If | ever
get into the trimming department I'll
know the millennium has comet"
Il think it's here" said a voice sus-
piciously like the Irishman's
She was talking aloud and didn't
know it. 1t came from loneliness.
Clara Jane turned and confirmed the
suspicion. Where are the gloves l
was to mend?"
His face fell. 81 forgot all about
them"
You told a story"
"A downright black lie. It's terrible
sorry l am"
you don't look it. Anyway you are
forgiven"
Thank heaven!"
THE crab was fine"
"Yes'm!"
!! And the sausages were better!"
"Yes'm!"
|. Don't say that again. And the Do.
tatoes and rolls and all the rest of the
| stuff were delicious! 1t saved my life. -
| She bent her arm. I'm as strong as
| Samson this morning. l could pluck
an ostrich, much as | hate feathers
| Il came to see about it,
1 About what?"
| Giving you another position. This
| is my store, Miss Lady-From-the-Coun.
H ry-Who-Needs-All-
| MY name is Clara Jane Amherst.
suppose you are Mr.. Terry if you OWL
| the store"
| You don't seem much impressed"
I'm not. l hate the old place Any
way I'd rather work with the flowers
| Won't anything else do?"
We'll, l can't starve, so / can't leave
If you order me to the cellar to shovel
coal I'll have to co.
Worse than that. I'm going to or.
der you out of the store and into my
house, If you'll go. l never wanted q
wife until yesterday and she intro
duced herself by throwing things al
me. That's the spirit l like. Suits
my Irish blood. What do you say
mavourneen-will you conner"
WE'LL. you are direct. IL don't
+ That's no way to begin. Try il
| again -