The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-29
THE SUIT CASES
BY MARION E. LEIGHTON.
"a onoooooeo % 90 ooopaoeo9t
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ia. 1921, by Mcclure Newspaper syndleatS.l

ia, 1921, by Mcclure Newspaper syndieatS.J
Bessie flung an old waist on the lit
tie pile of cast-off clothing In the open
suit case, jammed the bunch down
savagely, snapped the cover smut ana
INDUCED Ia a disconnected monoiogue
while she tested the weight Of 1t.
II may be foolish; probably am,
but l don't care. Pm going to have
one day off and 60 somewhere-like
other folks. You're not heavy enough
Ito the rather battered suit case
81 want you to feel as IL I were going
somewhere for a months vacation"
She put the case down again and
threw in an old sofa pillow. Bessie
was doing her packing In the attic.
She continued the one-sided argument
az don't carel Fay and Laura go
to places and have pretty clothes ana
meet nice people," punching the pill
low viciously, land stay home and
cook and scrub for them'-more punch
ing-"and get found fault with II
l scorch the biscuits or get too much
starch in their white waists-and eV-
erythingl I'm going for an outing
and make believe it's vacation at
the seashore or some place. Fay ana
Laura can get their own dinner Tor
once"
Unconsclously BESSIE was stating
depiorable fact that had long been a
subject of heated discussion among
the neighbors.
"Why did Bessie-sweet little Bes-
sie-drudge for her frivolous and
thoughtless sisters and receive hardly
a kind word of thanks? Why didn't
she rebel?"
And now Bessie had rebelled--a sort
of mild little rebellion, truly--but 1t
might lead to better things.
Thoughtful and kind-hearted, even
In a state of rebellion, Bessie left n
note for her sisters telling them there
was plenty of food cooked and nssur-
ing them she would be home that eve
ming. Not word of discomfort APP
reared in the note.
Then with whimsical little smile
she labelled her suit case with her
name and address and took her scanty
savings from the jar in the kitchen
cabinet. When counted the grand To-
tai was one dollar and seventy-three
cents.
With another little smile she pock'
eted the money picked up her suit
case and took suburban car fol-
"The Lake"
She spent one delightful day watch
ing the motor boats and listening tf
the gentle tapping of the little waves
then at dusk boarded the car fol
nome.
The only vacant seat was near tht
rear door and Bessie placed her sui
case In the space between her sea-
and the next and prepared to enjo,
the ride across country
At stop. beside the highway
Young man swung aboard with suit
\ ease. very much like Bessie's and Il
a very pleasant voice-Bessie though
It very, very pleasant--asked the con
A ductor IL he could make the 9:15 trail
West. Being assured that he coul'
the young man dropped his suit cas-
beside Bessle's and hung to a strap.
/ AGAR broke down." she heard hin
tell the conductor-''t take the chauffeu
nm hour to fix it and I've got TO max
that train"
| Bessie furtiveIy watched and ad
mired him during the short journey :
town and when he seized the sui
case and rushed for the train. whic
was already in when they arrived
she breathed sigh Of regret.
Tired, but happy. she trudged home
ward, to answer the questions Of he
amazed and Indignant sisters. and II Y