Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-22
you know what I WANT want

badly constructed sentence, but it mus
have been satisfactory, for when Aun
Hetty came back there was not a shpdnv
of discomfort on either face. She GA
moreover surprised at receiving an affec
tionate embrace from her niece wher
they separated for the night, for neithe
of them had ever been used to demon
STATIONS of this sort.
This is goin' to be splendid carpet,
said she, as she prepared to sit down tC
her loom the next morning.
i think it u.s. said Mary, 'And Aun
Hetty. | want to tell you something
what is it? said the old woman
turning quickly upon her. She felt thai
the crisis had come.
Sam Haywood and | have made uI
our minds to be married. said Mary
firmly.
The widow absolutely gasped for
breath. She had expected something,
but not this. She was truly and honest
| ly shocked.
why Mary! A hired man? You
don't mean it You could do so much
better, if you must marry, though I'm
sure don't want to part from We
never could do better. Aunt Hetty,
not if bad the whole world to choose
from! Sam has a great deal more ed
ucatlon than have--you know be
taught scbo oil before he came to you
and he's the best fellow that ever lived.
and love him dearly! And there's no
danger of his not getting good living,
for Mr.. Barker offered him fifty dollars
month to tend store.for him. and he'd
have more after the first year; and I'm
a quick sewer. you know, and can earn
my share-there's plenty that have Of
fered me work-and hope YOU won't
feel badly about it. for it's all settledi'
Dent We 90 nowheres else Mary
said the widow, in tremulous tore
III give We as much as they will, any
one on EN-; and l don't want to hev We
go way from me. Tell Sam not to take
no other offers till he's had talk with
me. I'll do as we'll for him as nybody
else well, and then you kin both stay
hero, and when | die-why. somebody's
got to hev the farm, you know
How can You talk that way, Aunt
Hetty, when there's your own daughter,
Cousin Ruth, and her boy
Don't you 60 for to talk to me about
herr said the poor woman, a sudden
anger kindling through her whole frame.
She amt no daughter of mine! l told
her, when she left my house contrary to
my wishes, I'd never see her again if
she'd come here a creepin on her knees
and | never wilp
And Aunt Hetty turned and left the
the room so quickly there was no chance
for another word about Mary's affairs.
These settled themselves, however,
very quietly and speedily. She was to
be married 10 the fall, and for the first
few months would live with the widow;
but Sam, who had will of bis own,
aud was not so easily managed on this
occasion as he had been in the matter of
tearing carpet rags, preferred to live 10
house Of his own as soon as be had
saved up money enough to build ONE
He had already pretty sum laid by;
for, though he had got little. he had
spent less, and by the time spring came
he thought they would be ready to 60
to housekeeping.
In the meantime. Mary was busy with
her simple preparations. Aunt Hettv
was tolerabIy free in loosening the purse
strings, for it was matter of pride
with her that her niece should be well
provided. And so the time drew near
for the wedding day.
1t was on q warm afternoon in Sep.
TENDER that the aunt and niece were sit
ting together over their sewing, with the
level sunlight streaming in upon them,
that shadow was thrown across them
from some one standing in the open
door. Both looked up, aud Mary saw a
tall, slender woman, in deep widows
mourning, holding by the hand fine
looking boy, of perhaps ten years old.
Mary knew her in an instant, from
the photograph she had seen in friends
house, for Cousin Ruth still retained the
features of her girlhood, though dimmed
and married by ife's experiences.
Widow Cram said not word, but
sat looking straight before her, with n
face of stone. The stranger was the
first to speak.
Mother said she, 4 have come back
to you, Just as you always said | would
poor and destitute. Will you take me
home again
The elder woman never moved nus
Gle.
Tender-hearted Mary bent over her
and said in whisper, You know Aunt.
you'll be very lonely after we've left you.
You'll want company and some one to
care for. and that's such a lovely boz !!
He'll be the greatest comfort to you.
DO say yes
Don't you know said the willow,
aloud. turning sharply towards her. that
you're takin right straight agin yourseIfs
Don't We see that you and San'Il get all
I've got to leave if these don't come
atweenr
What do you take us for, Aunt Het-
ty9' answered Mary. also aloud, her eye
kindling aud her cheek flushing. DO
you suppose--do you suppose-that we
would stay here if we thought we were
going to come between you and your
child? No. indeed! If we thought
there was the least danger Of that. we'd