Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-08-19

: you please to go down to the parlor''
: "No, but | will come down to the kitche
if you will let me-"
al am afraid, Miss, that the kitchen fir
: is out. Mistress is very particular, an
! likes to have the kitchen shut up early"
, "Neyer mind. If the fire is out wei
build another. know how to make fire
! Come, Hannah, belong in the country
, where folks believe in being coy and com
!; Portable. My going shivering 10 bed is ou
o. the question, am going to warm m,
feet and have dish of hot ginger tea witt
) toasted bread in it. 1t is nice, Hannah
and you shall have some if you will hell
me make it -
Hannah's mouth fairly watered, in spite
of her eyes dilating with astonishment ant
fear. but she only said, I'm afraid mistress
won, like it. 3
! Like it," l repeated s.Suppose she
don't. How, Hannah, you are not so foolish
as to believe that am going to bed in my
own aunt's house, after long journey, oott
cold and hungry. You see it is MT reason
able"
but nay mistress is SO particular" still
urged poor Hannah. ~ might lOse my
place."
"Well, then," said l, little moved by
her deprecatory looks and words, "you keep
quiet. Risk nothing, endanger nothing
That is your proverb. Mine is, "nothing
venture, nothing have" have no place
10 lose; but if | had forty I'd have my
ginger tea first"
In few minutes had a rousing fire, ant
the little tea-kettle was singing as merry a
tune as could be desired, h1mming in con.
cert with it. 1t really refreshed ne tc
hustle about among the dishes of the pantry
in my old free manner
"Now for The ginger" was talking C
myself now. "Sugar. Here it is. Cream
o, forgot that city cows do not give cream
MIX, then.''
Hannah caught my arm, looking positive.
ly frightened. do MT, Miss; please
don't" A
1t was too late. had poured it all into
my bowl, and scanty portion it was.
at was saved for the breakfast coffee, >
Yhimpered Hannah disconsolateIy; 40 me!
o me! what shall do?''
"Dol Why, buv more. The milkman
comes in the morning. does he not!'
so Yes. But we only engage particu-
lar quantity. Mistress wilI''-
"Just taste, Hannah; it is good enough
for queen. Where is your breadr'
"There is only enough for breakfast. -
"Pooh!" said 1, beginning to quote
Scripture rather irreverentlv. "Take NJ
thought for the morrow. You're second
Martha, careful and troubled about many
things | wonder if cousin Fred likes
ginger tea. Suppose you ask him. Hannah,
while toast this bread. Tell him we have
plenty"
81 should MT dare to. Why, mistress
will''-
"Here he comes," interrupted her; al
hear his step on the stairs"
Hannah again caught my arm, and this
time clung to me desperately. Don't open
the door, please. He'll be sure to tell
Mistress
"Well, let him. hope amt stealing.
There is no body at home to-see my COM
fort, and SO see 10 myself. Where is the
sin, should Ike to know!"
Fred went on and Hannah became more
composed. think she began to calculate
how much of her own pocket money it
would take to replensh the pantry. "If
you were visiting me, Miss" she said at
last, finishing, as she spoke, tumbler of
the refreshing beverage which had gene
rously handed to her, "I'm sure you'd be
welcome to the best, but my mistress CAL
culates so near the mark that she leaves no
aoom for extras"
"Indeed! Well, Hannah, was MT
brought up on moonshine, and ! can't live
on it."
"How long will you stay here!"
ga years
"Bess me! Then I'm afraid you'll have
to get used to our ways"
"Perhaps. But as there is no grace for
borrowed trubIe, and am once more tolera-
bly, comfortable, will 90 to bed"
AS closed the door looked round and
saw Hannah swallow the dregs of nv gin
ger tea and then spread her hands COM
placently over the warm stove. "Ah." said
|, with pleasant appreciation of self, 81
have com for;ed fellow creature as well as
myself. have been doing goUd unawares. !"
Hoping that you, too, will believe in my
benevolencc, and promising to write again
as soon as hear from you, remain your
own
MAGGIE.