The Adventures of Joel Pepper

it was her turn, did not trust herself to look at the flaming yellow sheets of paper with the big staring letters across them, stuck up in the dirty

t what you want and can't have, but keep busy over what you can have;" so she set her brain hard to work over the play, trying to decide whether she would have Mr. Primrose, who was to be Ben, rescue from the bear the white cat, who

with a hearty laugh, "I've spoke to you

er waited for his money but once, and that was when the children had the measles, and Joel nearly died, he used to give large measures of things, and sometimes he'd slip

, "Please, I'd like three pounds rye flour, Mr. Atkins," when he broke out, "I s'pos

nly anxious to get it out of her mind as soon as possible,

thing, but they look pretty nice on paper. See that fellow, now, Polly, a-flyin' through that ring. Beats all how they do it. Makes my head s

ve me the flour." And then she got so very miserable, for fear she had be

is 'xactly the thing, but then--an' then them horses. Why, Polly, this man is a-ridin' five great strong prancing ones all to once, dancing like ginger." Polly gave a great gasp. "Oh, if Joel could only see those horses

articularly, until the storekeeper tore his gaze away from the man flying through the paper rings, and the other one riding five prancing horses, and remarked, "I declare, I don't b'lieve I put up that rye flour for Polly Pepper, after all. Well, she'l

eyes or ears for anythi

he stone wall, and pushed off the brown hair from her hot forehead. "O dear me, how could I!" she cried, twisting her hands

ll, to lay a friendly nose on Polly's gingham sleeve, and t

to, and laying her hot face against the soft one so

orted, although the dreadful thought of going back into the store nearly overcame her. But remembering that Mamsie would

to have her go, as Polly ran off, determi

d to it, when she laid the money down on the counter, and then turned back to study the poster a

you've been gone!" he exclaim

ismay. "Well, we must hurry

e," said Joel, edging

stopping a moment. "Did Ma

I might--might--p'r'aps get a letter, Polly," he added, as a bright idea s

amsie never has any letters, Joel. T

may be one this afternoon. I'm goin' to see," an

Polly, endeavoring to reach him before he saw the yellow and red posters again, put forth all her effort, but stubbed her toe against a big st

rses careering and prancing and dancing, he was nearly beside himself. And pushing in betwe

. The dust was all in her eyes, so she couldn't see for a minute, but she knew 'twas Parson Henderson. "Well, Polly,

ut all the money for the rye flour gone! She could get no more, for Mamsie never had things charged, although Mr. Atkins

y it's no use to cry over spilt milk, and I suppose spilt flour is just as bad," and he took her hand. "Let us see if Mr. Atkins hasn't some more." But Polly hung back; still, she must

sently in the centre of the store. When Mr. Atkins saw the minister, he got away from the red and yellow poster as soon as he could, and came forward, rubbing his hands. So Mr. Henderson, not s

face plastered up to the flaming sheet. "Come ho

cking out. "See, Polly, I can ride as good as that man," pointing to the one

I CAN RIDE AS G

burst out laughing, and pun

and putting her arm around him, "c

body laughed, the farmers guffawing in delight; and one small girl on the edge of the group who burst out, "Tehe-ee!" couldn't stop. Joel suddenly turned and saw them all;

n them and touched him on the shoulder. "Come here, my boy," said Parson He

I'll step in for the other things." And Polly, doing as she was bidden, and catching up with them as they walked s

shly, now raised it. "Oh, would yo

on, "I think it would be,

self, as she gained Joel's other side. Then she sudd

said Joel, in a dudgeon, craning hi

oked up into the minister's face. "Oh, thank you so very much

've enjoyed my walk very much, and Joel and I are going fishin

," said Polly, handi

," answered Parson Henderson

Joel, crowding up to Polly. "L

nd and covering the bundle with her arms as

spilled any bundle, Polly Pepper. Let me see what's in

been a bad, wicked boy, and now you're going to tear thi

ehement tone, and stamping with his bare heel in the dust that flew

he middle of the road, in such a state, and Mamsie