Mind Amongst the Spindles. A Miscellany, Wholly Composed by the Factory Girls
General
Mind Amongst the Spindles. A Miscellany, Wholly Composed by the Factory Girls
American literature -- Massachusetts -- Lowell; American literature -- Women authors; Working class women -- Literary collections
"And now, Miss Ellinora," said Fanny, "I shall avenge myself on you, for
certain saucy freaks, perpetrated against my most august commands, by
telling Ann, that as you looked at this 'young sprig of a farmer,' he
looked at you, and you both blushed. What made you, Nora? I never saw
you blush before."
"What made you, Nora?" echoed Ellinora, laughing and blushing slightly.
"Well, the farmer's wife invited us to rest and breakfast with them. We
began to make excuses; but the farmer added his good natured commands,
so we went in; and after a few arrangements, such as placing more
plates, &c., a huge pumpkin pie, and some hot potatoes, pealed in the
cooking, we sat down to a full round table. There were the mealy
potatoes, cold boiled dish, warm biscuit and dough-nuts, pie, coffee,
pickles, sauce, cheese, and just such butter and brown bread as mother
makes--bread hot, just taken from the oven. They all appeared so
pleasant and kind, that I felt as if in my own home, with my own family
around me. Wild as I was, as soon as I began to tell them how it seemed
to me, I burst into tears in spite of myself, and was obliged to leave
the table. But they all pitied me so much, that I brushed off my tears,
went back to my breakfast, and have laughed ever since."
"You have forgotten two very important items," said Fanny, looking
archly into Ellinora's face. "This 'fine young sprig of a farmer'
happened to recollect that he had business in town to-day; so he took
their carriage and brought us home, after Nora and a roguish sister of
his had filled her bag as you see. And more and better still, they
invited us to spend a day with them soon; and promised to send this
'fine young sprig,' &c., for us on the occasion."
Ellinora was too busily engaged in collecting her fruit to reply. She
ran from the room; and in a few moments returned with several young
girls, to whom she gave generous supplies of apples, pears, and melons.
She was about seating herself with a full plate, when a new idea seemed
to flash upon her. She laughed, and started for the door.
"Ellinora, where now?" asked Fanny.
"To the Clark girls' room, to leave an apple peeling and core on their
table, a pear pealing on their stand, and melon, apple, and pear seeds
all about the floor," answered Ellinora, gaily snapping her fingers, and
nodding her head.
"What for? Here, Nora; come back. For what?"
"Why, to see them suffer," said the incorrigible girl. "You know I told
you this morning, that sport is to be the order of the day. So no
scoldings, my dear."
She left the room, and Fanny turned to one of the ladies who had just
entered.
"Where is Alice," said she. "Did not Ellinora extend an invitation to
her?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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