The Hickman courier., 1872-03-30


ers?'
A gleeful little laugh came from
Mary's lips.
Indeed ! can. ! mag not cook to
suit you, but l can learn"
Mrs Clements walked out to the huge
open fire place in the kitchen where the
Deacon was shelhDg corn.
what dye say, Deacon? Keep her
or not? | kind o like her looks, and
the dear knows it 'ud be a good Int
while we're KILN. if she could not do
more n set the table or make mush Tor
the bread.
Take her of course, Hannah. You're
hard driv', | know. Let her stop week
or so, anyhow.
So Mrs Clements came slowly back aud
eat down again.
"You can't get away tonight, any
how. There's snow storm been brewin'
these three days, and its on TO US now
Ssure enough. See them tere heakes,
fue and thick That's a sure sign it'll
last a good while. You may as we'll
take your things up stars in the west
garret, and then come down and help me
get supper
Then followed directions to the west
garret, aud she was gone; Mrs. Clements
turned to the Deacon:
Il never saw girl afore I'd trust up
my stairs alone But such as her don't
steal: | can tell you that if nothing else
Directly she came down in her purple
print dress and big white apron; her hair
brushed off her face into a net; narrow
linen collar. fastened with u sailors loop
of narrow black ribbon.
1t seemed as if she had life, too; hand
lily she fitted in and out the big pantry
and then down the cellar.
Then. after the meal, she gathered the
dishes in a neat, silent way that was per-
feet bliss to Mrs. Clements eyes.
"She is determined to airn her bread
any how; and like her turn too
And the Deacon had taken a shine TO
Mary Smith.
One by one the days wore on; the hog
KILN was over aud done; long strings Of
sausage hung in fantastic rings, arranged
by Mary's deft fingers; sweet hams and
shoulders were piled away in true house
wifely manner, aud now Mary and Mrs.
Clements we're sitting in The sunny din
ing room daruing, patching and mend
ing.
Il don't know whatever I am going to
do without you, Mary; l dread to see
you pack mp your clothes"
a blush Of pleasure spread over the
girls face.
am 50 glad you've been suited with
my work. Indeed I've tried.
1T amt the work altogether, though
goodness know you re the smrrtest gal
have seen for many a day. As [ say, IL
aint the work, its you. Mary. I've got
to thinking a sight Of you-me and the
deacon"
Mory's lip trembled at the Kindness
of the old ladys voice, but she sewed
( rapidly on.
Its uncommon lonesome like since
The boy left the farm; but its worse yet
since he got married 1t seems like de-
/ sertng US altogether"
Have you a son? You never men-
/ toned him
NO; George has got his way, and we
must go ours. Yes he married one of
those crack headed boarding school peo-
pie, who can't tell the difference between
a rolling pin and milk pan.
But despite her scorn, Mrs. Clements
dashed off the scorn with her brown fist.
is his wife pretty? l suppose you
love her dearly
Il don't know anything about her, and
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 they're burning"
When Mary turned, Mrs. Clements
was leaning on the arm Of her chair"
"Mary, suppJsin. you stop on with US
another month, anyhow? The Deacon
will make it all right
ut isn't the money care for, Mrs.
Clements | only wish | might stay al
ways You dont know how much 1
love you"
Love us! do you? Bless your heart
If poor George, had only picked you out,
what a comfort it would be to US ALL
But it cant be helped now"
She sighed weariy, then glanced out
of the window, looked 4 moment and
then threw down her work.
"Bess my soul. if there amt our son
George coming up the lanel Deacon!
Deaconl George is a comm.
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, and still, despite dear innocent
little Marion.
Then. when the table had been set in
the next room by Mary's deft fingers, and
she had returned to her west garret,
Mrs. Clements opened her heart
There is no use talkin', George, this
fne. fancy lady O. yours never will suit
me. Give me a smart girl like my Mary
Smith, and I'll ask no more. Come into
supper now Mary, Mary.
| She raised her voice to call the girl,
when a low answer near her surprised
her.
20. you dressed up in honor o my boy.
Well | must confess that l never knew
you had such dress, aud you look like
a picture with your net off and them
short bobbin cur.s? George, this Is
Mary Smith, my
George came through the door, and
glanced carelessly at the corner where the
woman stood. Then, with cry, spranS
with out stretched arms to meet the little
figure that sprang into them.
The Deacon and Mrs. Clements stood
in speechless amaxement Then Mary all
bushes and fearful smiles, went over to
the old pair and took their hands
lam Georges wife. l was so afraid
that you would never love me, that
came determined to win you if could.
Mother, father may | be your daughter!
And a happier family when they had
exhausted their powers of surprise, amaz-
ment and pride in the beautiful Maroon
never gave thanks over supper table.