The Placer herald., 1873-01-11
coming as shall delight his very soul. "


as you couldn't earn your salt. What did
you say your name was ?"
Mary Smith. And indeed if you will
try me fora week, | am sure you will keep
me TIL the seasons over"
Mrs. Clements looked out of the window
at the great clouds that were pling goomi,
up; and then the wind gave great wuilina
shrek around the corners of the house.
"Y'u can't cook, ken you? or shake up
feather beds--good biz ones, forty pourders?'
a gleeful little laugh came from Mary's
lips.
Indeed can. may not cook to suit
you, but can learn"
Mrs Clements walked out to the huge
open Fireplace in the kitchen, where the dea-
con was shelling corn
"W hat 'ye say deacon; keep her or not =?
kind o like her looks, and the dear knows
it 'ud be good lift while we're KILN, il
she couldli't do more'n set the table, or make
mush for the bread.
Take her of course, Hannah. You are
hard driv' ! know. Let her stop week any
how.
So Mrs. Clements came so!wly back and
sat down again.
"lou can't get away tonight, anyhow,
there's II snow storm been BLOWN these three
days, and It's on us now, sure enough. See
them ere flakes, fine and thick. You may
as well take your things up stairs to the
west gttrret, and then come down and help
me get supper.
Then followed directions to the west gar
ret, and when she had gone, Mrs. Clements
turned to the deacon: 81 never saw Il girl
before d trust up stairs alone But such
AS her don't steal. can tell you that ii
nothing else. .
Directly she came down in purple print
dress and white apron; her hair brushed of
from her face into a net; IA narrow linen col
lar, fastened with Il sailors loop of narrow
black ribbon. 1t seemed as if she had life, ,
too, so handily she fitted in and out of the
big pantry and then down in the cellar. Then
after HE meal, she gathered the dishes in
neat, silent way, that was perfect bliss to
Mrs. Clements ears.
"She's determined to earn her bread, any
how; and like her turn too. %
And h deacon had "taken shine" to
Mary Smith. One by one the days wore
on; the hog killing was over and done; long
strings Of sausagcs hung in fantastic rings,
arranged by Mary's delt fingers; sweet hams
and shoulders were lied away in true house
wifely manner, and now Mary and Mrs
Clements were sitting in the sunny dining
room, darping, patching and mendmg.
81 don't know what | am to do without
You, Mary, dread to see you pack up your
clothes.
A blush ofpleasure overspread Nary face.
81 am so glad you have been suited with
my work Indeed have tried"
cit amt the work altogether, though
goodness knows, you re the smarest gal I've
seen this many day. As | say, it an'
the work, it's you, Mary I've got to think
ing heap of you-me and the deacon.
Mary's voice trembled at the kindness OF
the old lady's voice, but she sewed rapidly
on.
CTS so uncommon lonesome since the boy
left the larm but it's worse since he got
married 1t seems like deserting us alto
gether.'
"Have you a son You never mentioned
him."
"No, George has gone his way and we
must 90 ours. Yes he married one Of these
crack headed boarding school people, who
can't tell the difference between rolling pin
and miIking-pan."
But despite her scorn, Mrs. Clements
dashed of the tears with her brown fist
"Is his wife pretty? ] suppoe e you love
her dearly y.''
81 don't know anything about her. ana
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; see ii
they are burning.
When Mary had turned the cakes, Mrs
Clements was leaning on the arm Of her
chair
"Mary, supposn' you stop with us anoth
er month yet, anyhow. The deacon will
make it all right.
cit isn't the money care for, Mrs. Glenn
ents, only wish might stay always. You
don't know how much love you
'Love usl do you? Bless your heart. II
poor George had only picked you out, what
a comfort it would be to Us all But ii
can't be helped now"
She sighed YEARLY then glanced out Of
the window, looked a moment and then
threw down her work.
"Bless my soul, if there amt onr George
coming up the lane! Deacon! deaconl George
IS coming!'
And all her moherly love rushing to her
heart, she bounded out to meet him. Oh,
the welcoming, the reproaches, the carresses,
The determination to love him still, despite
poor innocent little Marion. Then when The
table had been set in the next room by
Mary's deit fingers, and she had returned to
her "west garrett" Mrs. Cleaents opened
her heart.
"There's no use talkin', George, this fine
fancy lady o yours II never sult me. Give
me IA smart girl like Mary Smith, and IL
ask no more. Come to supper now. Mary.
Mary"
She raised her voice to call tie girl, when
a low voice near surprised her.
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