The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-07-16

l 1AO AaAiSs Will uO6 Withdraw from I'll
society. They are both valuable men
bers, and we need their cooperation.
: A dignified silence followed Mr..
Jealous remarks, and then the pres
dent said "Ihe first thing in Orde
will be the reception of reports fror
those ladies to whom we're assigned dis
tricts at the last meeting"
Another brief period of silence en-
sued, and Mrs. Precise arose and rea,
from her pearl tablets the names of hal
a dozen poor families that she ha
visited and found to be deserving O
aid. She asked for an order on th
society's treasurer for twenty dollars
to be expended in the purchase of fooC
and clothing. The appropriation wa
unheaitatingly made.
Mrs. Modestone, gentle faced lady.
who occupied a seat in the back ground
then narrated a touching incident o
! poverty and distress which bad come
under her observation the day before.
| She had thought it best to relieve the
poor family's suffarings without draw
| ing upon the faBds Of the society.
Mrs. Closefiss wanted two dollars to
buy a pair OF shoes for her washer
woman's little girl, whom, she averred,
needed them very much. The appro-
priation was made.
Mrs. Quicktempar regretted that other
imperative engagements had prevented
her from giving any attention to her
district, but the next week she hoped
to be able to devote almost entirely to
the good cause.
"Mrs. President" interposed Mrs.
Jealous, Miss Prim and myself took
the liberty yesterday of enoroaching
upon Mrs. Quicktemper's territory, and
We found one of the most deplorable
instances of human suffering that can
be imagined ;" and the lady then pro-
ceeded to describe. in minutest detail.
the visit of Miss Prim and herself to
the home of little Dan.
Did you not do ything for them ?"
anxiously inquired Mrs. Modestone,
after the recital was finished
"A-hem-well-no Nothing more
than to try and cheer them up. You
see, ] lad no change with me, and then
l thought it would be better to bring
the case before the society,"" purused
Mrs. Jealous.
"And yet Won say they were starving"
said Mrs. MOdestOne, in a tone of gentle
reproof
" Yes, they were very destitute" an
swered Mrs. Jealous, shortly
81 would like to inquire, Mrs. Presi
dent" said Mrs. Qaicktemper, with
some show of feeling, eff Mrs. Jealous
and Miss Prim have not been assigned
20 districts of their own ?"
They have" politely responded the
presiding officer.
Very well, then why do they not
cOntiGe their labors within the limits
Of their respective districts p said Mrs.
QulckJemper, with growing asperIty.
We have canvassed our districts |
most thoroughly" exclaimed both Mrs. |
Jealous and Miss Prim in unison.
Very thoroughly, no doubt" coldly |
Mrs. Quicktemper.
Il do not understand your insinua- !
lions, madam" angriIy answered Mrs. |
Jealous.
Don't you? Well, then, to speak
plainly, [ wish it understood that I do |
not desire any interference from you in
my district. "
80 You have not, it appears, troubled /
yourself about your district mp to the /
PRESENT time, my dear Mrs. Quicktem-
Der"
q do not know as that is any of
7oar business. Mrs. Jealous"
" Perhaps not" Indignantly reptile |
Mrs Jealous, " but when I see people
starving
well, you didn't help them any, did
,Ou ?"
"Then what are you talking about!"
80 NTrc nrTaI4.y,N,N1v- 1,nI oI- 1
thought you TO be a lady"
81 have always known Won to be a
7ery Offfcious person, Mrs. Jealous.
. Mrs. Quicktemper you are a very
woman"
" Mrs. Jealous, you are a meddle-
ONE old thing. I cant bear you "
." [ do not wish to have any further
ak with you," said Mrs Jealous, striv-
ng to keep calm.
Nor [ with you, madam. Saying
which Mrs. Quicktemper, with flushed
ace and swapping eyes, changed her
eat and turned her back upon the IN
subject of her ire.
Ladies ladies pray cease this
ngry discussion" appealed the pres
dent. "YOu forget that our work is of
Christian character"
Mrs. Jealous arologized for her
Gated language, but said that she
ould never forgive Mrs. Quicktemper
Or the insult that she had put upon
er."
Mrs Quicktelnper tartly replied that
he desired no forgiveness, and it being
pparent TO the members of the society
hat the two members could not be rec
nciled, motion was put and carried
, adjourn. Action in the case of little
Jan and his mother was deferred until
ne next meeting
1t was showing, and the clustering
-inds had piled the white drifts high i
ne street. The warmly clad ladies, as
ley were driver rapidly home in their
Dhe filed sleighs. forgOt-al save one
the picture that Mrs. Zealous had so
.ithtully painted of poor Dan aud his
wing mother IN their attic home. This
ne was
'Put down the basket, John, and
indie a fire." Mrs. Quicktemper's
Oice was soft and kind, and as she
astily scanned the old and darkened |
oom, she shuddered to think that
uman beings should be forced to dwell |
| such place.
John, the coachman, used as he was
scenes OF privation and suffering,
to himself, by jimminy, this
lace amt fit for a dog to live in ~
nd a dog, according to Johns reason
lg. could live almost anywhere.
The appearance of the apartment had
OF changed since the visit of Mrs.
ealous and Miss Prim, the day before,
i've that the tempestuoGs winds had |
riven the snow in through the broken
indow and covered the rough board
oor with a cold, white mantle. The ]
tile low iron cot stood in the corner,
alf concealed by the fast-falling shad ]
VS. of the approaching night. Even
lere, too, the snow had found its way ,
nd nestled in queer little drifts about
lie Outstretched form, the outlines of
hich were but Just discernible. At ]
le bead of the bed knelt little Dan, his
ice buried in his mothers bosom, and
is thick brown curls radiant with glis-
ming fl ikes of snow. No sound was
card, not even the breathing of the
yo unconscious figures in the corner.
he wind outside had died away, and
lie snow fell lightly and silently into
lie street below.
!