Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-09-12

y
at work here all Winter, but she's gone
home with a sore finger, and I'm afraid
she'll have fclon ont. Anyhow, it be-
gins just as James wifc's first husbands
sisters began-she was Sal Maria Gage
and she had a proper hard time ont.
She was keepin' the deestrick school and
boardin' with us when she took it. The
girls do all the work now, but they're
smart, though Bolinda's trife the best
for business. May be you're courtin'
one on EN-" she continued, looking up
at him with what was meant for ro-
guish smile.
Chang it p was Mr.. Mays mental
ejaculation, but the girls will probably
be in soon. I'll relieve her mind of that
notion. ooh no, indeed y he replied
loudly, II am only young man, just
studying law, you know"
"Ncxt Sunday morning p cried the
old lady, fairly starting out of her chair
with surprise. Now you don't say so.
AT meetin', of course. Now how sly
they have kept it from me p
tYou misunderstood me p he scream
ed in terror II didn't say So"
"Belindy, tool Well, I'm glad it's
her for your sake. Cause she wouldn't
say no to so good an offer. Belindy's a
good gal, too. She's named after me,
and perhaps that's why like her little
better than do Lucy, but l shall do
what's right by her when she goes to
housekeepin'. I'm savin' half dozen
solid silver teaspoons for her, and shall
give her my gold beads, too" taking
hold of that string of ancient adornments
which encircled her great fat neck. Shall
you go right to keepin' house 2"
81 tell you I'm not going to be mar
ried p he screamed, so loud that it SEEM
ed to him all the neighbors must hear
"Of course you want home to be
happy anybody does, and 1 always did
believe in young folks goin' to house,
keepin' as soon as they was married"
"You are altogether mistaken p he
screamed in her ear, the perspiration
starting from every pore.
"The house already taken 2 Now |
never And to think they was tryin'
to keep it from me, and you've told me
all about it shan't tell 'em, though
nor anybody else, 50 you needn't be
afraid. can keep secret if | am an
old woman"
81 wonder who grandma is talking
with, )" said Lucy, as lull in the CHATTER
Of dishes brought the sound of voices to
their ears.
Father, probably" replied Belinda.
II have heard no one come in"
Lucy put her last loaf of bread down
to rise, washed her hands, took Off her
apron, and appeared in the sitting room,
much to Mr.. Mays relief, just after
grandma had pledged herself to secrecy.
She started in surprise when she saw the
guest.
j." Why, Mr. May, you herel Come
into the parlor," and Lucy led the way,
leaving grandma alone. " You must
have had an interesting visit with grand
ma"
Il think I did," replied the gentle
man, wiping the perspiration from his
brow. She's very hard of hearing,
isn't she p
" Very" said Lucy, "but she doesn't
realize it."
II see it is so. I couldn't make her
understand a word yet from the an
swers she gave me | saw she thought
she understood it all. I guess she'll
conclude I've told her some strange
stories"
"Never mind" said Lucy; "she's al
ways making blunders, of course"
Meanwhile grandma had recovered
from her speecbless Indignation at seeing
Lucy carry off Belinda's beau to private
and she waddled out into the
kitchen.
"Belindy," she squealed, taking the
scrub-cloth from her hand, ego right
into the parlor. Mr.. Mays in there with
Lucy"
"No matter, grandma" laughed Be-
linda, wondering much at her evident
frame of mind.
"Pll finish up here, tell you. You
60 right along" and grandma went to
scrubbing at the shelves, while Belinda,
to please her, went into the parlor.
Later in the afternoon, as the girls
were in the kitchen getting supper. (for
they always worked together,) Deacon
Stiltsworth called to see Mr.. Freeman on
business.
"Walk right into the sitting-room,
deacon" said Lucy; "father will come
in directly" So in the deacon went.
care you pretty well this SPRING.
he shouted to grandma.
ooh la, yes, our well and spring
both held out wonderfully, though some
of the neighbors was plagued for water
most all Winter. How's your folks ?"
"Well as usual, )" nodded the deacon.
"You haven't got out to meeting much
through the Winter, have you?"
Don't see much Of Bclindy! Well,
she's pretty steady aRl industrious and
amt alters gaddin' like some. Virtue is
its own reward, the writin' books used
to say, and Lucy will have to dance in
the pigs trough, for she's two years the
Oldest, you know, and Belindy's goin' to
be married first
She ? said the deacon. looking sur
prised.
Yes, Belindy's goin' to be married in
meetin' next Sunday mornin' to young
Mr.. May, that's readin' law with Squire
Willard. A dreful nice young man he
is, poorly as a pink. Now he come in
here this afternoon when the gals was
to work 10 the kitchen, and just sat down
and visited with me as polite and atten-
tive talked oyer all his affairs lust as