South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-03-15
Little Apple Woman.

AsSAo apple woman.
/ lilly was up that morning as soon as
the earliest sunbeam set the church spire
over the way into twinkle. and danced
down stairs, singing as gayly a. a lark |;
for that day she was TO have holiday &
holidays didn't come very often TO her.
Miss Snip, the milliner, with whom she
lived-for lilly had neither father or
mother-was kind TO her in her way.
and gave her plenty to eat and drink. a
comfortable little room enough TO sleep
in, and dressed her in quito dainty
fashion. by altering her own fnery tor
her wear.
You would really have imagined her
to be petted inmate OF one Of those
great houses in the park, II you could
have seen her tripping along past them.
with her bright holiday face and grace
full little figure. Miss Snip had told her
that she might 60 just where she wish
ed, and do just what she pleased for all
day, and she felt as light and free as
the air, her arms unembraced by the
burdcnsome band.boxes. and her brain
unencumbered by any perplexing mes
sages. Then she had good many
bright pennies in her pocket, given her
by Miss Ships customers, who we're
pleased with her obliging ways & sweet
face and che could ride into the coun.
try il she liked, where the yellow stars
i'm the grass were as thick as IL it had
rained dandelions all night, and SPAR
rows made everybody glad with ti.eir
gladness. She had a great mind to do
this, for it was warm, fragrant. though
damp and cloudy. April day. and she
hadn't been ont Of the old seaport town
for 80 long time but the wharves and
the ships, and the water had q greater
charm for her, after all; 60 she gave up
her idea OF country ride, and bent her
steps toward the water.
Every hour she could get she spent
upon the wharves, listening to the quaint
songs OF the sailors, watching eagerly the
and scanning every bronzed face that
appeared upon their decks; for lilly
had n halfbrother who was sailor.
To be sure, he lad sailed away years
and year ago. and everybody thought
that he. with the ship he sailed in must
have been lost, for they had never been
heard from since. But lilly couldn'nt
help hoping that he was still alive, and
would some time come back to her a
/ gain. She could remember him, distinct
~, through she was very wee thing
when he went away. She could rem
ember that he was very tall and very
brown, and used to take her on his knee
and tell her funny stories and sing her
funny songs. Her poor mother broke
her heart about him. almost; and they
scarcely saw happy day after he went
away, far father died long before, when
lilly was only a few months old, and
they were al! alone in the world.
lilly was sure she would know him
il she were to meet him anywhere, for
she had his picture. lie had it taken
just before he went away for his mother,
and before she died she gave it to lilly.
and told her never to part with 1t; and
then if Jim, VINO would not know where
to find her, should ever come back, she
might meet him by his resemblance TO
the picture.
There were more sails than common,
she thought, tapping like white wings
in the frolicsomc spring wind, as she
hurried down the long street that led to
the water. but there were clouds i'm the
sky, that looked very much like show.
er. While she was stopping to consider
whether she should go or not she motto
ed an old apple woman, seated before
her stand over the WY, in evident dis
tress. Her face was all sore wed up as
if she was i'm pain, and she kept rub
bling one OF her shoulders with her hand.
| Tilly's tender little heart was touched
in an instant, and, crossing over to the
Eold woman's side, she purchaed few
apples, and then veDtured TO ask her
what was the matter.
oh, it's only my rhenmatiz, bless We,
said the old woman. 1t twinges in my
shoulder dreadful this damp weather.
It. pears now as If should have TO give
mp bushes for to-day, but il did heaven
knows where jimmie and I'd get our din ..
ner and supper. paid the last shill-
ing bad for rent last night. jimmie,
my daughter is poor, sick creature,
and can't do nothin.
Let me take your place said lilly.
eagerly; 'twould be real fun for me, and
know that I should sell quantities OF
apples. It's going TO rain, you know,
and that will make your rheumatism
worse.
The old woman looked at her with
surprise, and shook her head, but lilly
was not TO be put off in that way.
so you are afraid TO trust me with
your apples said she, looking up into
the old woman's face with her winning
smile.
Bless your heart No, dear said
the old woman;1 wouldn't be afraid
TO trust anybody that had face like
yours. But what would your ma saw
1t isn't the place for little lady like
you.
i haven't any mother. said lilly.
i live with Miss Snip. and she doesn't
care what ,lo and il Won nleaaA I'm