The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-10-17

| but it pears to me such slender little
midget as you couldn't earn your salt
What did you say your name was
MARY Smith. AND indeed if you will
try me for week, I'm sure you will
keep me until the seasons over
You can cook, ken you? or shake
up feather beds--sood, big ones, forty
FOUNDERS?
A gleeful little laugh came from
Mary lips.
Indeed L can I may not cook to
suit you, but can learn.
Mrs. Clements walked out the huge
kitchen, where the Deacon was Smelling
| corn.
-"What d'y say deacon keep her or
not? [ kind o like her looks, and the
dear knows it nd be a good lift while we
are KILN, ifshe couldn't do morn set
the table, or make mush for the bread. "
'"Take her, of course, Hannah. You
are hard driv, I know. Let her stop
week, or SO, anyhow.
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back
and sat down again.
You can't get away o-night, any
how; there's snow-storm been brewln
| these three days. and its on US now, sure
enough. See them ere flakes, fine and
thick. You may as well take your things
up stairs to the west garnet, and then
come down and help me get supper.
Then followed directions to the west
garnet, and when she was gone, Mrs
Clements turned to the deacon Il
never saw girl yet I'd trust up stairs
alone. But such as her don't steal 4; |
can tell you that. if nothing else. +"
Directly she came down in a purple
nrint dress and white apron, her hair
| brushed off her face into a net mar
| row linen collar, fastened with a sailor S
| loop of narrow black ribbon. 1t seemed
as if she had life. too, so handily she fit
! ted in an out ofthe big kitchen, and then
down the cellar. Then, after the meal,
she gathered the dishes in a neat, silent
way, that was perfect bliss to Mrs. Gle
ment's ears.
"She's determined to earn her bread,
anyhow; and | like her turn, too.
And the deacon had taken shine to
Mary Smith. One by one the days wore
on; the hogs killing was over and done;
long strings Of sausages hung in fantastic
rings, arranged by Mary's deft fingers !;
sweet hams and shoulders lay piled away
in true housewifely manner, and now
Mary and Mrs. Clements were sitting in
the sunny dining darning patching.
and mending.
81 don know what I'm going to do
without you, Mary, l dread to see you
pack up your clothes"
A blush of pleasure oYerspread Mary s
face.
Tn so glad you've been suited with
my work Indeed I've tried.
ut ain the work altogether, though
goodness knows you're the smartest girl
| I've seen these many a day. AS | say, it
amt the work. its you. May. I've got
to thinking heap CT you-me and the
deacon.
Mary S voice trembled at the kindness
of the old lady's voice, but she sewed
rapidly on.
Its so uncommon lonesome since the
boy left the farm but its worse since he
got married. 1t seems like deserving us
altogether.
Have you a son? You have never
mentioned him.
mo, George has gone his way, and
we must go ours. Yes, he married
one of those crack headed, boarding
school people, who can't tell the differ
ence between a rolling pin and milk
| pan.
But, despite her scorn, Mrs. Clements
dashed off the tears with her brown fist.
| is his wife pretty. | suppose you
love her dearly %
Il don't know anything about her, land
don't 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 were burning.
When Mary had turned the cakes,
Mrs. Clements waa leaning or the arm
Of her chair.
Mary, supposin' you stop on with us
another month yet, anyhow? The dea-
con will make it all right
1T isn't the money [ care for, Mrs,
| Clements. [ only wish | might stay al
ways. You don't know how much !
| love you.
''Love US! Do you? Bless your
heart! If poor George had only picked
been 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 lane Deacon
deacon George is coming -
| And, all her mother love rushing to
her heart, she hurried out to meet him.
Oh, the welcoming, the reproaches, the
caresses, the determination to love him
STILL despite poor, innocent little Marion
Then, when the table bad been set in
the next room by Mary's deft fingers. and
she had returned to the west garrett
Mrs. Clements opened her heart
''There's no use talking, George, this
fine. fancy lady o yours II never suit me.
Give me smart girl like Mary Smith,
an' I'll ask no more. Come in to supper
now. Mary, Mary j.
She raised her voice to call the girl,
when low voice near surprised her.
''Oh, you dressed up in honor of my
boy. Well: L must confess, | never
knew you had such handsome dress,
and you look like picture with your net
off, and them short, bobbin' curls i
George, this is Mary Smith, my
! George came through the door, and
glanced carelessly at the corner where
the young woman stood Then, with a
cry, he sprang with outstretched arms to
meet the little figure that sprang into
them. The deacon and Mrs. Cemeuts
stood In speeches. amazement Then
Marion, all bushes and fearful smiles,
went ever to the old pair and took Their
hands.
II am Georges wife. l was so afraid
you would never love me, so [ came de
termined to win you if l could Moth
er, father, may be your daughter p
And 2 happier family. when they hat
exhausted their powers of surprise anC
amazement, and pride in the beautiful
marion, never gave thanks over supper
table.