Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-04-11

A -r+4
Yes muttered Miss Priscilla, in an
undertone, l s'pose it will be trumpeted
| all over creation, how very benevolent
we are, while these poor folks around us
are dying from neglect
'Oh, Miss Tompkins,' whispered a
young lady, | am dying to know what
that legacy was of Mrs. Thornton's; do
tell me now, won't you 2
'Oh yes, yes, tell us all now,' said an
other, as knot of ladies gathered around
her.
'Oh, twas nothing but just a little
brass frame, with verse from the Bible
in it, made Of brass letters, replied Miss
Tompkins, contemptuously.
We'll, that was mean 7 who ever
heard anything like it?' What impu-
dence I / don't wonder he was angry
these and many other similar express
ions burst from the indignant ladies, as
Miss Tompkins concluded her informa-
ton.
'One side of a story's good till t'other' S
told, cried Miss Priscilla, who had heard
the whole thing; 'and as this is be-
nevolent society, got up for the benefit OF
our fellow creatures, it wouldn't do no
harm to tell the tother side right here,
let it hit where it will.
'Oh, by all means, let's have your
story, Miss Priscilla was the universal
exclamation, amid cries of order from
the president.
Il don't want to make no disorder,
said she, turning to the president but
if they'll all listen quietly, I'll tell the
story as l heard it and may be some oi
you II find coats to fit; if you do, why
put 'em on, that's all
By this time eyes and ears were all
open for Miss Priscilla, an old, quaint
little body, had way of saying things
that was perfectly irresistible to all but
the immediate subjects of her sarcastic
tongue.
'Well,' said she, as you all seem tc
be listening, I'll begin with what l see
myself ! didn't get no Dolly Martins
to peak through the keyhole for me,
cause, you see, news that comes tha
WON h..- 40 - - vrer, after i
second hand, no how. So, as was saw.
ing, I'll begin with what l see /; and il
any on you want to know what true be-
nevolencc is, you'll find out, guess, be-
fore get through. Well, couple O.
months ago, l should think, as l was
coming home from my sister Sally's,
over the fields, took notion to go
down the lane where old Miss Fletche,
lives, who's been sickly all along, you
know, and so went right in to see hel
without knocking. When / got inside
the door, / stood stock-still in perfect
wonder; for there was her old room
fixed up as nice as could be-real white
curtains and bed-spread-a piece of car.
pet on the floor, and clean, nice dishes or
her stand. And then the old lady her.
self looked SO comfortable in her white
night-cap and gown, l thought som,
fairy must have been there and done i
all. But right close beside her bed sa
one of the sweetest looking ladies yot
ever see; they didn't neither of 'em SEE
me, so l kept still, and the lady read
away in the Bible and then she kneeled
down and prayed-Oh, so beautifully
didn't wonder bit that the tears trick.
led down the sick woman's cheek, for
couldn keep from crying myself
i When she'd done, slipped out as still
as went in, for / felt an intruder there
and on my way home who should l meet
but Polly Bemis, who was bcdrid for
don't know how long. What on earth
has set you on your feet again, Polly !?
says /. l never was so amazed in all my
/ fife.- wciI, YOU may De, says Polly,
says she, for l am amazed at myself
but come into my house and I'll tell you
all about it, When we got in and sal
down. There, Priscilla, says she, did
you ever see nicer room-bran-new
stove, and wood enough in the cellar to
burn all winter-this new rocking chair,
and that nice bit of carpet and what's
better'n all, here am |, able to walk about
and earn my own living! Who do you
think has done all this q Il guess, said
i l. may be the Benevolent Society's been
helping on ye.' mo, not bit of it,
says she might have been lying on
that bed now for all they'd a done for
me faint their kind of beneyolence to
help such as me- We'll, do tell me who
it was.' said l, growing inpatient. i,
was nobody more nor less than Squire