The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-04-09
1& &OTrUMWA,,=2IOWA,T THURSDAY, APRIL g. 1857.

81 move," said Mrs. Wormwood, ssthat we
contribute one hundred dollars TO this great
object Mr.. Flint has explained to US, to con
stitute him life director.,' as.rai .5rsa ,t7
The motion was SET etonded, and carried with
out any opposition, save that expressed by in
dignant looks and motionless hands. H ,a-9
r"Really, ladies,o said Mr.. Flint, again ris-
ing, "your liberality is praiseworthy. In tie
name and behalf of the noble society you have
honored by your generous vote, I tender you
my sincere thanks. Your testimony of re-
spect for myself win receive more pablic
acknowledgment" T'h
Eyes" muttered Miss Priscilla, in an under
tone, "I 'spose it will be trumpeted all over
creation, how very benevolent we are, while
these poor folks around us are diving from
neglect" d
ooh, Miss Tompkins !. whispered a Young
lady, "I am dying 10 know what that legacy
was Of Mrs. Thornton's, do tell me now, won't
you?n -gr.f r.,.-. ,.f-. s-sF.s..-.,r ~.
ooh, yes. yes. tell us all now,n said anoth
er, as a knot Of ladies gathered around her.
"oh, twas nothing but just a little brass
frame, with verse from the Bible in IL. made
Of brass letters, "Ieplied Miss Tompkins con
temptuously
SWELL, that was meant "Whoever heard
anything like it ?'' "What impndence ~ 81
don't wonder he was angry!" - these and
many other similar expressions burst from the
indignant ladies. as Miss Tompkins concluded
her information. afa. a.s ssrs sa sfr,
Gone side Of story is good till t'other's
told" cried Miss Priscilla who had heard the
whole thing; "and as this is a benevolent So
ciety. gotup for the benefit ef our fellow crea-
tnres. it wouldn't do no harm to tell the t'other
side right here, lei it hit where it will,n -.,
'.nh,5 by all means let's have your story
Miss Priscilla" was the universal exclamation
amid cries of ''order'' from the president.
"I don't want to make no lisoraer.' said
she, turning to the president |; 'tbut if they'll
all listen quietly, TIl,tell the story as heard
it and may be some Of yon'll find coats TO fit
if YOU do, why rut 'em on, hats ALL" a -,
- BY this time eyes and ears were all open
for Miss Priscilla, an odd, quaint little body.
had wav of saving things that was perfectly
irresistible to all but the immediate subjects
of her sare astic tongue. sa a 80 a7eta
"Well," said she, "as you all seem to be
listening, Pll begin with what saw myself.
/ didn't get no Dolly Martins to peek through
the kev-hole for me, cause, you see. news
that comes that way, has to be made all over
after it squeezes through; and don't like
mine second hand, no how So, as 7 was saw
ing, I'm begin with what see |; and if any on
you want to know what trne tenevolence is
yon'll find ont. guess. before 4 get through.
Well, couple o. months ago, should think,
as | was coming home from nv sister Sally's,
over the fields, i took notion to GO down the
lane where old Miss Fletcher lives. who's
been sickly all along, You know. and so wen,
right in TO see her without knocking. When
got inside the door stood stock. still in per-
feet wonder; for there was her old room fixed
up as nice as could be--real white curtains
and bed-spread-a piece Of Garnet on,the floor
and clean, nice dishes on her stand. And
then the old lady herself looked so comforta-
BILE in her white night-cap and gown, Thought
some fairy must have been there and done it
all. But right close beside her bed sat one of
the sweetest looking ladies You ever seen ;
they didn't neither Of 'em see me, so I kept
still. and the lady read away in the Bible; apd
then she kneeled down and prayed-Oh, so
beautifully! didn't wonder hit that the
tears trickled down the sick woman's cheek,
for couldn't keep from crying myself.
when she'd done, slipped out as still as
Invent in. for | felt like an intruder there
and on nv way home who should I meet but
Poliv Bemis. who wss bedrid for don't know
how long. .What on earth has set Won on
yonr feet again, Polly p says l. II never was
so amazed in all my life.' sWell, you may
be.'savs Polly. SAYS she. for I'm amazed at
myself; but come into my house, and Pll tell
yon all about it, When We got in and sot
down--sThere Priscilla says she, .did ,you
ever see nicer room-bran new stove, and
wood enough IN the cellar to b,rn 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 this2 Il
guess said |, may be the Benevolent Society
has been helping on ye.' NO not a bit of il,
says she; q might a. been lying on that bed
now for all they'd a. done for me ;'tain't their
kind o. beyolence to help such as me- = sWell,
do tell me who it was.' said +, growing impa-
tient. s,Iwant nobody more sor lass than
Squire Thornton's new wife says Polly, SAYS
she.s sShe found out how, was, and then she
went and got something to cure Inc and every
day She come here herself to see how, I got
along. and brought me all these things and
when i got better she gave me sewing to do,
SO as should feel Independent, she said.',
never was SO beat in all my life, and told
Polly so. 'Oh, well,' says Polly. says she. lsif
you'a known hale she's Done among the poor
folks here, you'd be astonished but she has
sucha still way with her, nobody, but those
she helps knows anything aboutit.' Just that
minute somebody knocked at the door, and in
walked the very lady / saw at Miss Fletcher's.
sGood morning, Miss Bemis, said she, .show
do you find, Yourself .to-day?' Nicely
many thanks 70 you, Miss Thornton,, said
Polly. 'Oh. no, not to me are your ,thauks
DUE said the lady, with a sweet smile,' but to