The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-02-06

Of the house.
"Ton cant cook. ken you? or shake
up feather beNs-gcod bic oncs, forty
Founders :"
A glcerul lisle laugh came from Ma
rys iip1.
'In1leed I cans I may not cook to
sGi' yon, but can learn"
Ms. Clements walked to the hinge
open re-plaee in the Kitchen, where the
Deacon was shel!ing corn.
What dye say, Deacon? Keep her
or not? kind O ike her looks, and
the dear knows 1t nj he scood lift
while were KILN, il she couldn't do.
mcre'n -et the tshie and make the nush
for the bread
"Take her Of course, Hammer You
are hard Gr;Yen,I kaov. Let her stop
iwcek Or 81, snyhow,'
so Mrs Clements came slowly back
and sat down again.
"Iou can't get away tonight, auy
how There's 3 snow storm hsen brew
lin these three DAYS. and it's onto US
now, sure enough. See them ere fixes,
fine and thick That's 4 sure SIGN it'll
last good while. You NAV as well
take your tAings up stairs il the ~c'.
garret, and then come down aad help
me to get supper
Tben followed directions to the "west
garrett" and when she vas gone, Mrs
Clements turaed to the Descoa:
Il never saw girl afore I'd trust up
nv stairs slore But such ss her don't
steal; ken tell you that, if nothing
else"
Directly she came down in her peat
purple print dress and big white apron;
her hair brushed OF her face into net;
narrow linen collar, fastened with !
sailors loop uf narrow black ribbon.
1t seemed as if she had lived there all
her life. so handily she fitted in and on;
Of the big pantry, into the bui;cry, aud
then down the cellar
Then after the meal, she gathered the
dishes in $ neat, silent way, that Hae per
feet bliss to Mrs. Clement eye.
">he's determined to earn her bread,
anyhow and like her tuTu, too"
And the Deacon knew hi. wife hal ''sa
ken = shine to MARY Smith
One 10y one the days wore on; the hog
KILN Tss over aad done; long strings
Of sansages hung in fantastic rings, ar
ranged by Msry's def fingers: sweet
hams and shoulders were piled sway in
true, housewifeiy order; aud no" Mary
snd Mrs Clements were sitting in the
srea: sunny tiniag room dsvning patch
ing and nenaing
81 don't know whatever Tn goin' to
DO without you, Mary. dread 10 see
yoa pack up your clothea."
A blush of pleasure spread ovsr sat
girls face.
II am so glad You have been suited
with my work Indeed. ] haze tried "
ut amt the work. altogether; though
goodness knows you're the smsrtrst gal
I've seen this maur day. As said, Is
amt The work-it'syou, Mary. I've got
to thinking sight of you-me aad ths
Deacon"
Msry's lip tremhled at the Kindness Of
the Old lady's voice, but she seNed rapid
ly Oh.
ats been uncommon lonesome like
since the boy left the farm; but it's worse
sirce he got married. It seems like de-
serting us altogether
"Have you son? You never men
toned him"
"No; George has gone his way, and We
must go ours Yes; be married one Of
those crack headed boarding school ,,peo,
pie who can't teil the difference between 3
rolling pin and milk pan"
But despite her scorn, Mrs Clements
dashed OIL sons tears with her brown
| fist
"Is his wife pret!y' suppose you
love her dcarlyI'
81 don't know nothin' about her, sad
don't want to know He left ". for her,
and us old folksli leave him for her,'oo.
Mary, just turn them cakes around !;
seems they burning"
When Mary returned Mrs, Clements
was leaning on tho back Of her chair.
"Msry, suppo.in' you stop with us an
other month, anyhow. The Deacon II
make IL .ll right
at isn't The money | care for, Mrs
Clements. l only wish l might stay al
ways. You don't Know no" nacs /
love YOU
Love rs, do you? Bless your hssrt
II poog George hsd only picked you
out. what A comfort il would I've TO us
all but it caa't be helped now"
She sighed wcsriIy, then glanced out
Of the window, looked moment, then
threw down her work.
"DIcss my soul il there amt our
George comm up the lane. Deacon
Deacon! George is comm"
| And all her mother Iowa rushing to
her heart, she hurried ont - meet him
Oh, the welcoming, the reproachcs, the
carcsses, the determination 10 love him
still, despite dear, innocent little Marion.
Then vhcn the table in tho next room
had been set By Marys def Nnact,, and
she had retired TO hor "wcst garrett
Mr., Cicment. opened her heart.
There's no use talkin', George. This
ane, fancy lady of yours ncver'h suit
me. Give mo = smar. girl lihe our Nary
Smith, sni III SEX no more. Come in
to supper now, Mary. Mary
She raised her voice 10 call tho girl,
when low answer near her surprised
her.
80, you dressed up in honor o ny
boy. Wcll,I must confess ] never knew
you had such handsome dress and You
look likd picture with your net oil and
them short, hobjin curls. George, this
i. Mary Smith, my"
George came through The door, g'anc'
Cd caIeles,y at the corner where
the woman stood, and then, will
a cry, .prang With out.tretched arms, tc
meet The little figure that few into them
"Mv Marion my darling little wife
what does this mean?
The Deacon and Mrs. Clements stood
in speechless amazement Then Marion
all bushes and teariu smiles. went over
to the old pair and took their hands.
81 am Georges wife; I was 40 airail
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