Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-03-23

NOT 60 more n SCI the AaDAc OF ulALNt-
| the mush for the bread"
"Take her OF course, Hannah.
You are hard driv', know. Let
her stop q week or so, anyhow"
So Mrs Clements came slowly
back and sat down again.
"You can't get away tonight,
I anyhow. There's n snow storm been
q brewin' these three days, and it's
on 10 us now sure enough. See
! them ere fakes, fine and thick.
| That's a sure sign il ill last a good
while. You may as well take your
things up stairs in the west garret,
and then come down and help me
get supper"
Then followed directions to the
west garret, and when she was gone,
Mrs. Clements turned to the Dca-
con:
~ never saw girl afore I'd trust
don't steal; / can tell you that IL
nothing else"
Directly she came down in her
purple-print dress and big white
apron; her hair brushed of her face
into q net; a narrow linen collar,
fastened with q sailors loop Of mar
row black ribbon.
1t seemed as if she had life, too;
handily she fitted in and out the
big pantry and then down the cell
lar.
Then, after the meal, she gathered
the dishes in neat, silent way. that
was perfect bliss TO Mrs. Clements
eyes.
"She's determined TO airn her
bread ANYHOW: and | like her turn,
too"
And the Deacon had "tuken a
shine" TO Mary Smith.
ORe by one the days wore OH; the
I hog KILN was over and done; long
strings of suasage hung in fantastic
rings, arranged by Mary's deft fin
gers, sweet hams and shoulders
were piled away in true housewife
I ~ manner, and now Mary and Mrs.
Clements were sitting in the sunny
dining room darning, patching and
mending.
81 don't know what ever am go
iHg 10 do without you, Mary, dread
70 see you pack up your clothes"
A blush of pleasure spread over
the girls face.
"I am so glad you have been suit
ed with my work. Indeed I've
tried"
''It aint the work altogether.
though goodness knows you're the
smartest gal I've seen this many a
day. As l say, il amt the work it's
you, Mary. Pve got TO thinking a
sight of yOu-me and the deacon"
4Ary'S lip trembled at the kind
ness OF the old lady's voice, but she
seWed rapidly on.
"Its uncommon lonesome like
since the boy left the farm; but it's
worse yet since he got married. IL
seems like deserving US altogether"
"HaYe you a SOM You never
mentioned him."
"No; George has got his way, and
we must 90 ours. Yes. he married
one OF those crack-headed boarding
school people, who can't tell the dii-
ference between a rolling-pin and
milk-pan."
But despite her scorn, Mrs. Gle
ments dashed of the tears with her
brown fist.
'Ts his wife pretty? supposeyou
love her dearly"
81 don't know anything about her,
and never want 10 know. He's left
MS for her, and US old folks will
leave him for her, too. Mary, just
turn them cakes around; seeLs they
are burning"
When Mary turned, Mrs. Glenn
ents was leaning on the arm OF her
chair.
"Mary, supposin' YOU stop on
with us another month yet, anyhow?
The Deacon will make il all right"
''It isn't the money ! care for, Mrs.
Clements. only wish might stay
always. You don't know how much
| love yOu."
"Love usl do you? Bless your
heart. If poor George had only
picked you out, what a comfort il
would be 10 US all! But IL can't be
helped now"
She sighed wearily. then glanced
out OF the window, looked "A mo-
ment and then threw down her
work.
"Bless my soul, il there amt our
son George coming up the lane.
Deacon, Deaconi George is a cominI
And All her mOther-ioVe rushing
70 her nearrs knc nufrlcu OUT 10
meet MN. on, -ai-s vvu5v0-.-s------ii,a
reproaches, the caresses, the deter
mination 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 def fin
gers, and she had returned TO her
sEwest garrett" Mrs. Clements OPEN
ell her heart.
"There's no use talkin', George.
This fine fancy lady o. yours never
will suit me. Give me a smart girl
like my Mary Smith, and I'll ask no
more. Como in to supper now.
Mary, Maryr"
She raised her voice to call the
girl, when low answer near her
surprised her.
"Oh, you dressed up in honor O.
my boy. Well, / must confess ]
never knew you had such a hand
some dress, aud you look like n pie
ture with your net OF and them
short bobbin' curls? George, this is
Mary Smith, my"
George came through the door,
and glanced carelessly at the corner
where the woman STOOD. Then,
with a cry, sprang with out-stretch-
ed arms 10 meet the little figure that
sprang into them.
The deacon and Mrs. Clements
stood in speechless amazement.
Then Marion all bushes aud fearful
smiles, went over to the old pair
and took their hands. -
al am Georges wife. was so
afraid you would never love me, so
/ came determined TO win you, II !
could. Mother. father, may | be
your daughter z"
And a happier family, when they
had exhausted their powers of sur
prise, amazement and pride in the
beautiful Marion, never gave thanks
over a supper table.