Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-17
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back

now mere = snOW-5t0rm been OreWln
these three days, and it's on us now,
sure enough. See them ere fakes, fine
and thick You may as well take your
things up stairs to the west garrett and
then come down and help me get sup
per. p"
Then followed directions to the west
garrett and when she had gone, Mrs.
Clements turned 10 the deacon: | never
saw girl before I d trust up stairs alone;
| can tell you that if nothing else.
Directly she came down ia purple
print dress and white apron; ber hair
brushed of from her face into o net; q
narrow linen collar, fastened with sail
ors loop of narrow black ribbon. II
seemed as il she had life, too. so handily
she fitted in and out OF the big pantry
and then down the cellar Theu after
the meal, she gathered the dishes in a
neat, silent way, that was perfect bliss to
Mrs. Clements ears.
She's determined to earn her bread,
anyhow; and | like her turn, too RI,
And the deacon had taken shine "
to Mary Smith. One by one the days
wore onIe the hog killing was over and
donei long strings Of sansages hung in
fantastic rings, arranged by Mary s deit
fingers; sweet hams and shoulders were
piled away in true housewifely manner,
and now Mary and Mrs. Clements were
sitting in thesnnny dining-room, ,darning
patching and mending.
don't know what | am going to do
without you, Mary; ! dread to see you
pack up your clothes. uaA5 ga taft
! A blush of pleasure overspread Mary's
face. ,.r.
!" am so glad you have been suited
with my work. Indeed, have tried
/" 1t amt the work altogether, though
goodness knows, you're the smartest gal
I've seen this many day. AS say. it
amt the work-it's you, Mary. I've got
TO thinking heap Of you-me and the
deacon" "oN a lsl
Mary's voice trembled at the kindness
Of the old ladys tone, but she sewed
rapidly on.
ut is so uncommon lonesome since
the boy left the farm; but il $ worse since
he got married. 1t seems like deserving
us s.altogether. 9d
Have you a SOM You never men
toned him" ''A
mo; George has gone his way aud
we must go ours. Yes, be married one
of those crack-headed boardingschool
people, who can't tell the difference be-
tween a roling.pin and milk-pan.'
But despite her scorn, Mrs. Clements
dashed off the tears with her brown fist.
Is his wife pretty3 suppose you
love her dearly"
81 don't know anything about her,
anil never want to know. He's left us
for her, and us old folks will leave him
for her too. Mary, just turn them
cakes around; seems as if they are
burning"
When Mary had turned the cakes, Mrs.
Clements was leaning on the arm Of her
chair.
Mary, supposin' You stop on with us
another month yet, anyhow. The deacon
will make it all right"
" 1t isn't the money / care for, Mrs.
Clements; only wish / might stay al
ways. You don't know hcw much |
love you"
"Love usl do you'll Bless your heart.
II poor George had only picked you out,
what n comfort it would be to US ALL But
it can't be helped now"
She sighed YEARLY then glanced out
Of the window, looked moment, and
then threw down her work.
Bless my soul, if there amt our son
George coming up the lanel Deacon
Deacon George is comiugV
And all her mothcr.love rushing to
her heart, she hurried out to him. Oh,
the welcoming, the reproaches, the
caresses, the determination to love him
still, despite poor innocent little Marion
Then when the table had been set in the
next room by Mary's deft fingers, aud
she had returned to her west garret,"
Mrs Clements opened her heart.
There's no use talkin, George; this
fine fancy lady O yours ii never suit
me. Give me o smart girl like Mary |
Smith, and III ask no more Come in |
10 supper now Mary, Mary"
She raised her voice to call the girl, |
when low voice near surprised her.
"0h, you dressed up in honor o my
boy. Well, must confess | never knew
you had such handsome dress, and you |
look like picture with your net of and
them short, bobbin curlsl George, this
is Mary Smith, my - mU
George came through the door, and |
glanced carelessly at the corner where
the young woman stood. Then, with
cry, spraug with outstretched arms to
meet the little figure that sprang into
them. The deacon and Mrs. Clements
stood in speechless amazement. Then
Marion, all bushes and fearful smiles,
went over to the old pair and shook their
hands. a
II am Georges wife, ! was so afraid
you would never love me, so | came de-
to win you if | could. Mother,
father, may be your daughter2"
And happier family, when they had
exhausted their powers Of surprise,
amazement and pride in the beautiful
Marion, never gave thanks over supper
iabla