Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-09-11
MISGELLANE GUS.
WHAT BECAME OF HER.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

8hHERE'S Mary ?" said Mr. Goodford,
oEgc severely, pausing ere he seated him
self at the dinner table.
stopping with n plate of sliced cucumbers in
her band to look apprehensively down the
garden path.
Samantha, the thrifty eldest daughter of
the family, shook her head.
Il haven't seen her since morning." said
she.
"And I really think, father, said Phehe
Ann, the second daughter, who taught the
district school, "that you ought to look moro
after the girl. She's just as likely to be
reading down by the river, or climbing tho
mulberry trees, as not"
Mr.. Goodford uttered groan, and said
"She's dreadful trial, that girl is No
more like my other children than a little
Java sparrow's like a flock of black, birds.
Mother, what had we better do with her 7"
'Send her to boarding school" suggested
Mrs. Goodford.
"Send her to boarding school ~ echoed
the farmer. "And have her como back
stuffed full of nonsense! No. no I'd rath-
er have my little gypsy Mary than fine lady
with fripperies only fit for French maid"
"Well, then, set up, father," said Mrs.
Goodford speaking in a conciliatory fashion.
THE teas drawed and the chicken pot>pie's
cooked just the way you like it. Set on the
beets and potatoes, Samnntha-bring the cold
water fresh from the we'll, Phebe Ann. And"
-revercntly closing her eyes-"for what we
are about to receive, may the Lord make US
truly thankful. Amen!'
The rustic and plenteous meal was hardly
completed before the door opened, and the
u LII
the room.
Farmer Goodtord had spoken the truth
when he said that his daughter Mary was es
sen:islly unlike the other daughters of the
family. Samantha was tall and pale, and
freckled Phebe Ann was taller, paer and
a little more freckled-aI;ogether, the com>
parative degree Of her elder sister but Mary
was slight and small, with black hair, cheeks
like roses, and large, almond-sbaped eyes,
whose lasbes vailed their jetty brilliauce at
will. And just now, as she came dancing
into the room, with a wreath of red clover
and white field daisies in her hair, she seemed
to brighten the whole room like sunshine.
"Mary :" said the farmer, speaking in &C
cents of solemn reproach.
"Mary, where hare you been 2" groaned
Mrs Goodford.
MARY, do take them crszy>looking weeds
out of your hair !" cried Samantha.
But Mary shook her head gayly-
"No," said she, ''let them stay. Mr..
Mordaunt has been sketebipg me for one of
his pictures. lie arranged the flowers"
"Mr. Mordaunt ~ cried the two elder sis
ters in chorus. did Mr.. Mordaunt see you
in this old faded calico, and no gloves p
Exactly so," said saucy Mary, ''and now
give ne some dinner"
The family at large exchanged scandaliked
glances.
Look at your mouth, all blackberry
stains !" said Mrs. Goodtord, severely.
"Look at your gown, all torn by the briers!"
added Samantha.
''Look at your face. as brown as a hazel
hut~ apostrophized Phebe Ann, who washed
her own complexion in buttermiIk every
night.
az don't know what I'm to do with the
child, I'm suTe,'' said the worthy farmer,
with perturbed look. "Dr. Cheriton is
coming back next week. l gaess I'll zee
what lie says"
Mary looked up with mischicvously spark.
ling eyes.
81 am DO. sick, father" said she. "What
should you consult DR.. Cheritou for 2"
because he's got good judgment" said
know of some school, or something or
other, where they Can train you down into a
proper behaved young woman"
Samantha washed the dishes. Phebe Ann
swept up the keeping room. Mrs. GoOdford
went to look after the cheeses, and Mary sat
in the doorway and played with two frivo>
lous- minded young kittens.
THAT is the way work is generally divi-
ded in this family" said Samantha, grimly-
"Oh, my dear" said Mrs. Goodford, ''you
must remember that Mary is only child"
mShe is seYenteen." said Miss Phebe Ann,