The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-02-21
yes 1 got it, answered Mrs

Stone, half pleased, half regretful.-
These big cities is the place to Sc
! things, Miss Sanders (; han't no idea
with an air of superior wisdom.
Did you see any andrewcondy
Aunt Huldy?' asked Tom with won
dering eyes.
No l didn't. You be quiet now
an stop talking, or I'll send you t.
bed. There it is Miss Sanders un
folding large package, and reveal
ling folds of shining silk.
'Oh my! but did l ever! but aim
that nice y exclaimed Mrs. Sanders
admiringly. Dear me, it'll cen
most stand alone 1t must have cos
a sight Of money, didn't 1t now?'
well, yes, consid' ably said Mrs
Stone condescendingly more than
meant to give. But then in Philadel
ply, you know, body wants to buy
the best if they buy anything, an ]
thought seein, as / had been meanir
to get it so long that I'd get the bes
if it did cost more. But Ia! / shan
never dare wear it hardly, its so nice
mo lndeedr echoed Mrs. Sanders
emphatically I'D be just as keerful
as If it was gold
Mrs. Stones eyes sparkled.
Dr. Jellaby's wife she was here
this mornin' and she wanted to buy
| it from me. She said it was the
beautiiulest piece she ever did see
But l wouldn't sell it.
No indeed repeated Mrs. San,
ders, once more "a lovely thing like
that, what I'd bought away in Phila
delphy with my own eyes--I guess
wouldn't! But, dear me Miss Stone,
as she saw that lady about to roll i
up again, 'ain't you afraid to leave i,
layin' away folded up? I'd be afraid
it would cut in the folds; them heavy
silks do, they say
DO you think so 2 asked Mrs
Stone in alarm. why, Miss Jellaby
said if she was me, she wouldn't have
it made up till she wanted to wear it
cause the fashions change so. But
now / don't know what to do with it
for if l make it up, dear knows when
Fll want to wear it, and it'll get all
out of style, an if leave it folded up
it will cut. I'll have to lay it away
for while, anyhow
Martha Nixon was here to day
wasn't she?' said Mrs. Sanders, by
way Of changing the subject. i
thought l seen her a. -comin.''
Yes Mrs. Stone answered briefly,
that satisfied look fading out of her
face.
She don't get along very well,
does she p
She got along just as anybody
might have expected, after having
married a shiftless feller like Simon
Nixon answered Mrs. Stone shortly
Il am sure it amt my fault If she is
poor
Oh, dear, no, exclaimed the CHEEKY
little neighbor in astonishment. i
am sure you do great deal for EN-
what with takin,' Tom, and all.
Yes, said Mrs. Stone, still on the
defensive, as if some one had been
accusing her.
thirk do. too. l kept Tom all
the time, just of charity, as body
may say; and I've done great deal
more for 'em, odd times, besides-as
much as could be expected, l say
and Marthy amt SO smart to take
care Of things as she might be nei-
ther.
Presently the neighbor gathered up
her bonnet and knitting and depart
ed, and Mrs Stone sank into long
fit of musing. AS much as could he
expected,-yes, and more too. she
murmured to herself, starting up
when the clock announced bed time,
and locking the house with more
than ordinary care, because as Sc
many folks knowed about her trip to
Philadelphy, somebody might try to
break in and steal what she had
brought back
Mrs. Stone tossed restlessly upon
her pillow that night. In truth the
vision of warm little dresses for win.
ter haunted her also, and had done il
before. Some material that was just
the thing for those children had pro
vokingly thrust itself into view
whe she went to purchase her coveted
dress. Some soft flannel had to be
pushed aside before the obligine
shopman could show her how superi
or was the rich silk that she had
purchased to a less costly one beside
it. To be sure, in that quiet village
it was doubtful if she ever wore hel
new ACQUISITION half dozen times
in her life, but then, as she'had tolC
Mrs Sanders, it was such comfort
to know that a body had handsome
dress, if they ever shonld want one
SO, by constantly repeating, Iv'e
done as much as anybody could ex
pect, I'm sure,'' she contIived to ar
que herself to sleep, at last.
! Her first waking thought was ot
her treasure, and with half com.
placent, half-reproachful feeling Of
miserable comfort, she ran to see that
it was safe, and so began the day
Through all the morning, her eyes
were constantly turning, toward the
drawer where her purchase was laid
and she as constantly turning them
away again wishing that she had look
ed in some other direction.
I sTom,' said she, presenting herselt
at the back door, when the early din.
ner was over.
| Yes'm, answered Tom, slowly
looking up from the stick he was
whiting.
I want you to 60 to the store
quick, now. What are you doing
Pm a thinking, said Tom gravely,
Sleepin more likely! Come now
I'm in hurry.
Pm thinking, pursued Tom, with,
out needing the interruption, that
want new jacket.
And I'm thinking that you'll YET
your old one well warmed, if you
don't start little quicker when ]
tell you, said Mrs. Stone, exaspera
ted. New jackets cost money, and ]
'fcan't be buyin' 'em all the time for s
iboy that wears EN- out as fast az you
do. Boys that lives with folks oul
Of charity, ought to be little more
careful of their clothes, and move 8
little spryer when they're wanted
don't you know that Now take
this tin pail, and get two quarts OF
molasses, bar of soap, and a paper
of pepper. I'm a-goin' away a little
while, and i want you to hurry home,
i mind and stay here nm take care OF