Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-01-13


breakfast table.
"Spoken like my true little Marion
and when | come hack I'll bring you
present. What shall it be?'
Your mother and father from tn
farm. 1t shall be that hope that will
bear me company while you are gone"
A fortnight after that Marion Glenn
cnts ate her breakfast alone. the trace
of tear or SO on her pink cheeks
then she dashed them away, with ;
merry joyous laugh.
This will never do, and now tina
George has gone for six weeks, to pre-
pare for his return. And pray HEAVIER
it may be such a coming home as shal
delight his very SOUL
"Im sure | don't know what tc
say. The land knows | need help bao
enough but it pears to me such &
slender little midget as you couldn't
airn your salt. What dye say youl
name was 2'
Mary Smith And indeed, if you
will try me for only week, I'm sure
you will keep me till the season is
over"
Mrs. Clements looked out of the win
dow at the gray clouds that were piling
gloomily up; and then the wind gave a
great wailing shrek around the corners
of the house.
" You can't cook, ken you or shake
up feather bed-good big ones, forty
Founders ?"
Agleeful little laugh came from Mary s
lips.
| IL ooolr 10
suit you, but | can learn"
Mrs. Clements walked to the huge
open fireplace in the kitchen, where the
Deacon was shelling corn.
"What dye say, Deacon? Keep her,
or not? l kind O. like her looks, and
the dear knows it 'ud be good lift while
we're KILN, if she couldn't do more'n
set the table or make the mush for the
| bread
"Take her, of course, Hammer. You
are hard driven, know. Let her stop
elk or so. anyhow"
SO Mrs. Clements came slowly back
and sat down again.
You can't get away tonight, any
how. There's a snow storm been brewin'
these three days, and it's onto us now,
sure enough. See them 'ere flakes, fine
and thick. That's sure sign it'll last q
good while. You may as well take your
things up stairs in the west garret. and
then come down and help me get sup
per-"
Then followed directions to the ''west
garrett" and when she was gone, Mrs.
Clements turned to the Deacon:
81 never sa,, i. girl afore I'd trust up
my stairs alone. But such as her don't
steal; l ken tell you that if nothing
else."
Dire city she came down in her neat
purple print dress and big white apron :;
her hair brushed off her face into net !;
q narrow linen collar, fastened with a
sailors loop Of narrow black ribbon.
1t seemed as if she had lived there all
her life, so handily she fitted in and
out the big pantry, into the buttery,
and then down the cellar.
Then, after the meal, she gathered
the dishes in neat, silent way, that
was perfect bliss to Mrs. Clements eyes.
"She's determined to earn her bread
anyhow and like her turn, too"
And the Deacon knew his wife had
"taken a shine to Mary Smith.
One by one the days wore on; the
hog g-killin was over and done long
strings of sausages hung in fantastic
rings, arranged by Marys deft fingers,
sweet hams and shoulders were piled
away in true housewifely order; and
now Mary and Mrs. Clements were sit
ting in the great sunny diningroom
darning, patching and mending.
&" don't know whatever I'm goin' to
do without you, Mary. | dread to see
you pack up your clothes"
A blush of. pleasure spread over the
girls face.
~ am so glad you have have been
suited with my work. Indeed, | have
tried.'
at amt the work altogether, though
goodness knows you're the snartest gal
I've seen this many day. AS | said, it
amt the work-lt's you, Mary. I've got
to thinking sight of you-me and the
deacon"
Mary's lip trembled at the kindness
in the old ladys voice, but she sewed
rapidly on.
Its been uncommon lonesome-like
since the boy left the farm; but it's
worse since he got married. 1t seems
like deserting us altogether.
"Have you son? You never men
toned him.
"No; George has got his way. and
we must 60 ours. Yes; he married one
O those cracked. headed boarding school
people who can't tell the difference be-
tween rolling pin and milkp H."
But despite her scorn Mrs. Clements
dashed off some tears with her brown
fist.
"Is his wife pretty? | suppose you
love her dearly"
don't know nothin' about her, and
don't want to know. He's left us for
her, and us old folks'll leave him for her
too. Mary, just turn them cakes around
seems they're burning"
| When Mary returned Mrs. Clements
was leaning on the back of her chair.
Mary, supposin' you stop with us
another month yet, anyhow! The Dea
con III make it all right"
I" 1t isn't the money | care for, Mrs
Clement. l only wish might stay al
ways. You don't know how much
love YOU"
Glove us, do you? Bless your heart
If poor George had only picked you out
| what comfort it would be to us all
but it can't be helped now."
She sighed YEARLY, then glanced ou
OF the window, looked moment, ther
} threw down her work.
"Bless my soul, if there amt oul
George comm up the lane! Deacon