Gratia's Trials — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Se a ee a ae du~ v7? ar ak Ses, ek , SS * in ~~ Dw ee ere “gs <4 . . * 20 GRATIA'S TRIALS, CHAPTER V, THE PROPHECY FULFILLED. It was a chilly afternoon in December, with now and then a snow-flake floating ominously through the gray quietness of the air, and the cattle huddling together under the shelter of a shed or thatching, as if apprehensive of coming tempest, when Gratia | - Kempfield sat sewing by the kitchen window. ‘¢T am so tired,” she thought—‘‘ oh, so tired !” And well might she be. There was no thoughtful mother- care now to plan, to anticipate, and to contrive for her—no. one to watch her lest the young cheek should pale with fatigue, or the light figure droop beneath the -burdens laid prematurely upon it. | The clock struck four as Mr. Kempfield came in with a huge armful of wood which he threw with a crash on the kitchen hearth, and Gratia seized the opportunity to broach a subject that had long lain very close to her heart. ‘‘Father,” she began, hesitatingly—‘‘ father, may I go to school this winter ?” “What for?” said Mr. Kempfield, gruffly. ‘‘Ain’t there enough to do at home?” ‘‘ Mother always wanted me to have a little more schooling,” said Gratia, in a choked voice. ‘You've had as much as most gals now,” said her father. “You don't seem to calculate that you’ve got to work for a 9 99 livin. ‘Yes, I do, father!” cried Gratia, eagerly, ‘‘and that’s the very reason I want to go to school a little longer. I would like to qualify myself to be a teacher.” ‘‘I don't see as you can be spared,” said Mr. Kempfield, un- easily. ‘‘ Almira needs you to help about the house.” =) Eomichooksico