American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-06-08

| and 1t was Stupid to stand there and say
nothing. AZ the least encouragement
my tongue always ran like a mill-race,
and here was the brightest and best of
reasons for talking, when l had so
ready and willing listener, and one so
sympathizing and genial. From my
little Howard it was the easiest thing in
the world to get back to his poor dear
| papa, and my heart was strangely
warmed and comforted by the gentle
| sympathy that shone in the face of this
kind gentleman for my widowed and
| lonely condition.
As usual, when my tongue ran ahead
of my reason, l was brought up short
| by the awkward consequence of this i'm
pulsiveness of mine, and when found
| that was actually being consoled by an
entire stranger, my tardy timidity took
fright, and 1 should have beaten re-
treat if he had not anticipated me.
81 think Jane is coming" he said
al will go out for a walk, but l hope
soon to see you again"
l couldn't help smiling when he
smiled to save my life. He caught up
his hat from the dresser, and went to the
/ door.
"Why, where are you going, JohnP"
said Jane, upon the threshold.
"Tll be back presently" he said, land,
with another little nod at me, he disap-
peared.
''To think of that woman next door
sticking a needle in her baby's eye.n
said Jane. 6" declare to goodness, a
woman that won't sew hooks and eyes
or buttons on her dress don't deserve to
have a babyH'
l fastened to turn sideways to Jane,
My poor dear Howard used to say that
every embrace of his was ut the risk of
being stabbed with pin or a needle,
so, to change the subject, l asked Jane
who the gentleman was that had Just
left US.
Why, that's brother john" said
Jane-t' brother John, from Long Is
land. He's such home body 1 guess
you've never seen him BEFORE" Here
Jane paused, and winked her eye at me,
and smiled, Her smile was like her
brother Johns, and lit up her whole
face. "You see," Jane went on, be-
ginning to mold her bread, but still
nodding and winking at me, "John's
come down here for somethin' special.
My worst enemy couldn't call me
a match. maker, but when see poor
widow strugglin' along tryih' to keep
the wolf from the door, L can't help
takin' an interest. There's nothin'
mean or contrivin' about me-
"I'm sure there isn't jane" said.
"And 1 hate a meddler; but ever
since Belindy died, Johns just buried
himself down there at his place on Long
Island: beautiful place-be-yu-h.fu l, "
repeated Jane, unctuously. Trees
fairly laden down with fruit; and what
with new-laid eggs and cream and
homemade hams and sausage, the place
is next door to paradise. There amt
no manner o. use of Johns givin' up
his whole life to mournin' over Belindy
she had good time of it while she lived
never had to raise hand. Johns that
foolish about woman that she never
has to raise hand. and that's some
thin for poor strugglin' widow to
think of, isn't it, NellyP'
" Yes," l stammered out, my face in
a glow, and a world of confusion bat
Ting at my heart. This good creature
Jane had evidently invited her brother
John purposely to see me, and though
her intentions were good, what must we
think of my meeting him halfway in
his consolation little while agop Oh,
how bold and contriving he had found
mel How in the world was to know
he was widower, and invited down for
special purpose? et
sob, why didn't you tell me, Jane?''
cried
: "Well, you see, couldn't tell how i,
would turn out. John didn't know there
was mortgage on Susan's property
" Susanl" 1 repeated.
eyes; you know Susan-my hus.
bands sister. She's comm down on g
visit to-day, and John says he DOM
: care pin about the mortgage; he's only
afraid he can't care for Susan. You see
his heart was bound up in Belindy.''
L began to understand that it was not
my lonely condition that Jane had in
terested herself to ameliorate, but tina
of her husbands sister Susan 1t tool
quite weight of confusion from my
heart, but left it strangely sad and dis
e comited. 1t was so hard to be alon,
and desolate, and have nobody carr
whether one lived or died, and Susar
: was SO much better off than T.
: "I thought Susan was quite comfort
! ably situated,' l said.
l "Well, there's the mortgage" SAT-
! Jane; ''she keeps botherin' us about tina
y mortgage all the time, and my husband
: can't undertake to bolster up all his re
i lationa You see, 1 just told John al
y about Il, and it's a business TRANSACTION
) Nelly. If she gets John, we won't hea
any more about that mortgage"
began to lose all interest in the con
I versation, and remembered that m
e poor dear Howard had told me hov
e sordid and mercenary all these peopl
: were. 1t was really dreadful to hea
the most sacred sentiments of life de
graded to the level of mere bushes
> transactions. James brother Johl
o didn't look like this kind of q person
: but of course he must be. The who'll
s thing SO confused and bewildered m