Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-06-19
Blanca S
Fortune
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union,
By AGNES c. BROCAN


all built alike children swarmed-wan.
uncared for children. 1t 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
What was it to tend growing things
all day in garden? The payment that
labor brought, was all too small. When
grandmother should go-fOr 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 a fortune.
When she came back to the sunny land,
for always there was the thought of
coming back, it would be as 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. ~" r.
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,
"thats 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 l 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 Il
little way out on the train, mebbe for
ty mile. Tell you," he glanced at the
girls white face, 'you go, Blanca.
That be good thing for you. | 60 with
you. buy ticket, put you on car"
And glowing, her breath coming fast
at 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 keen
gaze singled out at once the neatly
clad girl with her sOrrow-appealing
eyes.
You mees," he asked, lever pick the
grapes before?"
And Bianca's eyes filled 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 long
wagon.
Il 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" said
Tonic. l came to the factory. |
couldn't stay. Wanted to see the sun
shining over green hills. Wanted sheep
there, too," he laughed IAN even
goats. Now, 1 got 'em all; I work
Qaru OWN ldIIu. All II > UclIcI, JOu IL
see, better than Italy"
When he took Blanca to the house
where a woman waited to serve the
helpers, the girl threw out her arms
with sudden joyous gesture.
ooh. this is good" she cried, cit is
home, again"
The next morning she found herself
singing as she caught the ripe grapes
from their vines.
"You are doin' fine"
1t was TONES voice. At last he had
come, and stood looking down upon
her. Some shyness in the mans bear
ing brought to the girl new confidence
| in herself.
81 love it ALL" she said and drew in
breaths of the clear air.
"Even the little house that is my
homer" asked Tonic eagerly.
Blanca nodded. ''If it had white
curtains in the windows" she said, "an'
flower peeping out between, it would
then be like my own home across the
seas"
$40 Won think" asked Tonic halt