The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-01-16
Blanca s
ortune
Copyright. 1918. western Newspaper Union,
b AGNES c. 5BRo GAN

Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper union.)
Blanca sat on the steps Of the tene-
ment, gazing with somber eyes at the
cheerless scene about her. Every
where In the dingy gardens Of houses
all built alike children swarmed wan.
uncared for children. It was not
strange that they should be wan,
breathing constantly the smoky at
mosphere of the factories vicinity,
neither had their working mothers
much time to devote to their welfare.
And as Blanca sat, she was picturing
in her minds eye the glory Of the vine
clad hills of her native land, the dark
skinned happy children who had play
ed there. Blanca saw, too, the one
roomed cottage Nesting among all the
fragrant green, which had been her
home. 4
What was it to tend growing things
all day in garden? The payment that
labor brought, was all too small. When
grandmother should go-forl grand
mother had already lived more years
than Blanca could count-well, then
she would cross the great ocean with
the money which she saved each day for
that purpose, and there, where gold
might be found for the asking, Blanca
would make for herself fortune.
When she came back to the sunny land,
for always there was the thought Of
coming back, it would be as a great
lady, with jewels shining in her hair.
So it happened that Blanca passed
the tiny house over to a friend who
wished it, and with just sigh of re-
gret for the grandmother who now
was gone, the girl began the long jour.
ney.
In her cot at night the weary girl
dreamed of that vine-covered hillside
and the differentiated home which
now seemed like heaven.
IF she could only get back" tears
of longing filled her eyes, and the pain
that was yearning grew and deepened
round her heart. And then one day,
when the first breath of autumn fell
gratefully on Tenement square, Blanca,
seated upon the lowest porch step,
heard two men discussing an adver-
tisement in the evening paper.
"What you know about it?" said one,
that's Tonic, who wants grape pick
ers on his farm. Just few years
ago, Tonic went away and worked the
place; he like it, he make money an
buy it. Now, Tonic he hire people
himself.
"'Girls. to pick grapes read the man,
earn good money"
Suddenly Blanca leaned forward.
"Girls?" she asked, would that
mean me? Could go there earn
money, too? Or is it Italy, this TONES
farm, an must one cross the ocean,"
The factory men laughed.
mo, Bianca,' one replied, ''just a
little way out on the train, mebbe for.
ty mile. Tell you," he glanced at the
girls white face, you 60, Blanca
That be good thing for you. go with
you, buy ticket, put you on car"
And glowing, her breath coming fast
ut the mere thought of green fields and
blue skies, Blanca went. The chat
tering girls on the train perplexed her
she felt very shabby beside their flow.
er-trimmed hats and bright dresses.
When the tall young man of the
vineyard drove down to the country
station to meet his helpers, his keeT
gaze singled out at once the neatly
clad girl with her sorrow-appealinl
eyes.
"You mees,' he asked, "ever pick thu
grapes before?"
And Bianca's eyes filed with home
sick tears.
Back there only, in the home coun
try" she replied.
Successful Tonic helped her to the
seat beside his own in the lOn&
wagon.
II know how you feel" he said as
they rode along:
Gratefully she looked up, attracted
by the sympathy in his voice.
with me it was like that too," sale
Tonic. came to the factory.
couldn't stay. Wanted to see the sur
shining over green hills. Wanted sheer
there, too" he laughed, IAN ever
goats. Now, I got 'em all; work
hard, own farm. An it's better, you'll
see, better than Italy"
When he took Blanca to the house
where woman waited to serve thu
helpers, the girl threw out her arms
with sudden joyous gesture.
ooh! this is good" she cried, ut is
home, again." fl
The next morning she found herself
singing as she caught the ripe grapes
from their vines.
"You are dom fine"
It was Tonie's voice. At last he had
come, and stood looking down upoI
her. Some shyness in the mans bear
Ing brought to the girl new confidence
In herself.
Il love it ALL" she said and drew II
brenths Of the clear air.
"Even the little house that is my
homer" asked Tonic eagerly.