The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-12-18
LISBETH'S MISSIONARY
"The butchers bill, papa!'

"The butchers bill, papa!'
Outside the locusts were piping shril'
" among the blue cups of the morning.
glory vines the bland September sun
shine stepped everything in yellow
brightness. Within, the country par
son sat at his desk, with divers and sun
dry sheets of sermon-paper scattered
before him, half dozen reference books
open at his elbow, and his head clasped
tightly between his two hands, after O
fashion which involved considerable
rumpling Of his iron-gray hair.
"Eh ?" said the parson, letting his
head, IS it were, out of custody, and
coming slowly down from the world OF
polemics, as he stared at the pretty,
slender girl in faded calico and washed.
out ribbons, who stood beside him with
an ominous-looking piece of paper in
her hand.
.The butchers bill, papa" said
Polly Fem "and he's waiting, please. u
"But, my dear THE parson laid
down his pen, and took the bill into his
hand with puzzled air" we've had
no bltcher's meat this month. We have
striven to be in the last degree economi.
CAL"
"Yes, I know, papa" said Polly,
/. knitting her pretty brows: "but we
ordered three pounds OF steak the day
the district missionaries dined here, and
there was tho Joint for that Sabbatarian
society day, and the evening the bishop
was here don't you remember ?"
ST remember, my child-I remem-
ber," said the country parson, with q
sigh. Hospitality is an agreeable
duty, and one that the good book en-
joins upon us, but it costs money, Pol.
1y-it costs money. Put down the bill,
child, and tell Neighbor Brisket that ]
will attend to it at my earliest conven'
ience."
Stin blue-eyed Polly hesitated. "And
the grocer was here this morning, papa,
and the account has really mounted ur
beyond everything. And he says that
he hopes you will please to settle al
once, and that hereafter he has deter.
mined to do business only on strictly
cash basis"
The Reverend Mr.. Fem smiled 6
sickly smile.
"fhen I am afraid, Polly" said hs,
"that he won't do much business witt
me. For as long as the vestry are &c
dilatory with their payments -
eyes, papa, that's just what I tolo
him." said Polly; "but he says thai
business is business"
."He is right, my DEAR" said the par
SOD, "and I am wrong but it is through
no fault of mine. Now run away, ant
leave me to my books"
Polly Fem silently withdrew, will
her pretty brows still knitted. as if sht
were utterly hopeless OF comprehendine
the problem of the worlds way. Th'
butcher, white. aproned and burly, stoot
at the door, living impersonation o
. the fate which Polly could neither ignor'
nor avert.
"Well, miss ?" said the butcher.
"Papa will attend to it at his eAr.;es
convenience, Mr.. Brisket," falteree
Polly.
"But his earliest convenience ha
been such mortal long time a.comin'
miss" grumbled Mr.. Brisket. "Ant
times is dull, and I've got notes to meet.
elm very sorry, Mr.. Brisket, but
"'Tain't no good standin' here" salt
the butcher, irritably scratching hi
head. "I might ha' knowed what an
swer I should ha' got afore l crossed
the threshold. But it's hard on poo
man, that's what it is, and them as call
themselves gentry. hadn't ought to ca
80 kba,, oop,E nov TIL coll oooin fhi
day week, miss, and them
And with this the butcher whisket
himself away under the arch of morn
ing.glory vines, where the. locusts wer'
singing, and the pink and purple cup
swung to and fro in the morning wind
And Polly, with crimson cheeks ant
heart beating with vague resentment
turned back into the great sunshin,
Kitchen, where Lisbeth was swayinl
nervously to and fro in the splint-bot
toned rocker, with week.old newspa
per in her hand, her yellow hair catch
ing the sunbeams like coronal of golt
as she rocked.
"Lisbeth," said the elder sister, aus
terely, "are the wild grapes ready TO
preserving"
"Wild grapes ?" repeated Lisbeth
Hinging the newspaper into the window
seat; 81 haven't thought of them sine
you went away. Oh, Polly, how I wis
we were rich T.
Polly advanced soberly to a fiat wicke
trayof clustered grapes, full of subtl
perfume, and busted over with pal
bloom, and began to separate then
! from their stems with deft, quick fin
gers.
:, Why ?" said she.
81 would go to New York and Sc
this new play" said Lisbeth, still sway
ing back and forth in the splint.boi
toned rocker. g Olivia was a countr
parson's daughter, and 20 are we.