Little Falls transcript., 1879-09-04

'I'm sure don't know what to say.
The land knows I need help bad enough ;
but It 'peafs: to me that .such a slender
little midget as yot couldn't earn her
salt: What did you say your nan ms
uMarysmith:, And, indeed, if you viii
Hy me tQt week, Eli sure you will keep
me till the seasons o1et.'
Mrs, Clemehts looked out Of tic win
dow at Tie great clouds that were piling
gloomiiy UP; ahd then the vi nd gave a
great wailing shrek arouhd the corners
Of the house.
"{ou cah't cook, ken you? or shake iip
feather beds good big ones, forty pound
4 Xgleet;u'l fill little laugh came from Mary's
lips.
"!ndeed can. Imay not cook to suit
you, but I can learn"
Mrs. Clements walked out to the huge
open fireplace in the kitchen, where the
deacon was sbelling corn.
"What dye say, deacon; keep her or
not! kind o. like her looks, an the dear
knows it 'ud he good lift while we're
KILN, if she couldn't do no morc'n set
the table or make mush for the bread"
"Take her, Of course, Hannah. You
are hard dr1v', I know. Let her stop a
week or so, anyhow"
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back
and sat down again.
"You can't got away tonight, anyhow
there's gnowstOrm been brewing these
three days and it's on us now, sute enough.
See them ere fakes fine and thick. You
ttiay as we'll take your things Up stairs to
the west gatret and then come down and
help it1e to get supper"
Then followed directions to the west
garret, and *heh she was gone Mrs.
Clements turned to the deacon, and
said:
II never saw girl before that I'd
trust upstairs alone. But such as her
don't steal. I can tell you that, if moth
ing else"
Directly she came down in q purple
print dress and white apron; her hair
brushed off from her face into a net; a
narrow linen collar, fastened with sail
or's loop Of narrow ribbon. Itseemed as
if she had life, too, SO handily she fitted
in and out Of the pantry, and then down
the cellar. Then, after the meal, she
gathered the dishes in neat, quiet way,
chat was perfect bliss to old Mrs. Glenn
ent's ears.
"She's determined to earn her own
bread, anyhow, and I like her turn, too -
And the deacon had "taken shine" to
Mary Smith. One by one the days wore
on; the hog killing season was over and
done; long strings of sausages hung in
| fantastic rings arranged by Nary's deft
fingers; sweet hams and shoulders were
piled in true honsewifely manner, and
NOW Mary and Mrs. Clements were sit
ting in the sunny dining room, darning,
patching, and mending.
II don't know what l am going to do
without you, Mary. dread to sec you
pick up your Clothes
A blush of pleasure Uversprcad Mary's
face. II am SO glad you have been suit
ed With my work. Indeed l have tried "
lit amt the work altogether, though,
goodness knows, you arc the smartest
gal I've seen this many day. AS say,
It amt the work, it's YOU Mary-mc and
the Deacon
Mays voice trcmbled at the Kindness
of the old lady's voice, but she sewed
RAPIDLY on.
'It,s so uncommon lonesome since the
boy lett the farm,': she went on, "but it's
worse since he got married. 1t seems
like de~erting us altogether
"Have you son: You never mention
cd him."
"No, George has gone Ills way and we
ii1ist go ours. Yes, lie married one of
those crack-headed boarding school peo-
pie, who can't tell the difference between
a tolling-pin and n1ilk-pan."
But despite her scorn, Mrs. Clements
dashed off the tears with her own brown
fist.
"Is his wife pretty' I suppose you
love hei deafly2"
II don't know anything about her, and
never want to know. He's left us for her
and us old folks will leave him for her,
too. Mary, Just turn them cakes around
seems as if they are burning
When Mary had turned the cakes, Mrs
Clements was leaning on tho arm Of hel
chair.
"Mary, supposip' you stop with US an
other month yet, anyhow. The deacon
will make it all right
1T isn't the money 1 care for, Mrs
Clements, only wish I might stay al
ways. You don't know how much love
you."
"Love usl DO you' Bless your heart
If poor George had only picked you out
what comfort it would be to us all
| R,,+ II oon,k hc bnloo1
| She sighed wearily, then glanced ou
of the. window, looked a moment anc
then threw down her work.
"Bless my soul, if there amt my son
George coming up the lane! Deacon
Deacon! George is coming!''
With all her mother-love rushing to hel
heart she hurried out To meet him. Oh
the welcoming, the reproaches, the caress
es, the determination to love him still
despite poor, innocent little Marion
Then, when the table had been set il
the next room by Mary's deft fin
gers, and she had returned to her ''wcs
garrett" Mrs. Clements opened her heart
"There's no use talkln', George this
ne, fancy lady O yoursll never suit lnt
Give me smart girl like Mary Smith
and III ask no more. Come into supper
}now. Mary, Mary
She raised her voice to call the girl
when low voice near surprised her.
"Oh, you dressed up in honor of my
! boy' Well, must confess l never knew
you had such handsome dress, and yor
look like picture with your net of, anc
them short, bobbing curls! George this
| ia Norv Groifh ,,
| George came through the door ant
glanced carclessly at the corner where tb'
young woman stood. Tren, with CRY
sp1ang with outstretched arms to NEE
the little figure that sprang into then,
The deacon and Mrs. Clements now stoo<
in speechless amazement. Then Marion
all bushes and fearful smiles went owe
to the old couple, and took them both b,
their hands.
! I am Georges wife. l was 50 afraie
you would never love me, so came dc
termlned to win you if could. Mother
! fo+A l, L.