South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-09-19
M I S 8 BIE'S BIRD.
BY FLORENCE IL. BIRNEY.


waning light OF q November day. She
Vas busy on dress for her sister Lou.
Use, and wanted 20 finish it before that
young lady came in. If there was any,
thing Miss Abbie enjoyed, il was TO give
a surprise TO somebody, and she felt
sure that Louise would be astonisLed 10
see tue dress completed.
! While her fingers flew, her mind was
busy also, &c sigh rose from tho bottom
OF her heart as she thought OF the house
she bad built with her earnings as a
schooi-!oacher, and which there was still
no prospect OF renting, though the pa.
card To Let had been in one Of the front
windows for over two years.
Miss Abide had always had her own
idea of how a house should be built and
knew that If she was an architect all
dwellings would be made both convent
ent and comfortable.
! So when ut thirty years Of are she
found herself in possession OF a snug
little bank account, it was very natural
! that she should draw out her plan. en-.
gage builder. and erect her model do.
micile.
The people OF Baycross held up their
hands In amazement on hearing how
Miss Abbie was about to spend her
money. Houses were so plentiful end
rents so low, that it was madness to in.
vest her little all in building. The poor
little spinster was bescged with callers
who came TO advise and expostulatc,
and all united in saying that sue would
live to repent her folly, and wish her
money in the bank again.
| a h. 4
vice and warnings, and the house had
gone up with all speed and very hand
some and commodious it was when 6n-
ished, and contained every modern con.
venience and improvement.
OF course Miss Abbie did not for an
instant think OF occupying IL herself.
She lived IN cosy lutte brown cottage
with her father and sister, and was not
ambitious for more room or greater STYLE.
! The new house, was 20 be rented but.
alas, no tenant made his appearance.
Tho people of Baycross said it served
Miss Abbie right, for she should have
taken the advice Of her friends in the
beginning; and only Louise and her father
sympathized with the disappointment of
the little spinster.
The last stitches were being taken on
the dress as LoIise entered, and threw
her hat on chair, and her shawl on the
liable. She knew that her sister would
put her things away, and thus Louise
was principled against doing anything
Tor herself ii she could help it..
Y our dress is all done, Louev. said
Miss Abbie, holding up with much pride
the black alpaca garment.
| 90 Won love T. crio1 nuioo IT oor-o
thought you would be so smart! I am
ever so muck obliged, Abbie, and the
girl went down on her knees to inspect
the dress and kiss her sister.
Il am glad | stayed at home TO sew in .
stead DIGGING TO the circle, since you are
so much pleased with my work, Louev.'
And l am glad also that you did not
go TO the circle, Abbie but not because
Of the Dress said Louise, knitting her
fair bTows. Then shy, Louoy?'
because your feelings would have
been huct by what was sail there. I
thick tho name should be changed from
Sewing Society 10 Gossip Club. for there
IS more scandal llked at those meetin gs
than anywhere else in Bavcross. Ad-
die Nelson, particularly, il never happy
unless she is saying something spiteful.'
but surely she cannot nc splteful a.
bout me, Louey | AIN always pleasant
10 her
Much she carcs for that = said Lou
Use, vehcmep.ly. 90 Abbie. why lid YOU
/ ever build that house? | wish with all
| my heart that you had never thought of
IL so it was about my house that spite.
iul things were said, Luuey?' and q
scarlet tint stole into Miss Abbic' 3
! checks. Never mind what they say I
/ know tenant will CONS along after q.
/ while
you do take things 80 easily. Abbie.
1t is no loss 20 Addie Nelson If your
house stands empty for twenty years :;
/ yet she is continually alluding To- it,
/ Just fancy, Abby, she had the audacity
to-day 10 whisper 20 Lydia Catherwood
that you bad built your cage, and were
now waiting 20 catch your bird and
/ Lydia whispered back that OF course Won
had 10 SGT trap for it.. They both
Know | was listening 10 every word. 100 I
/ was so angry that / could hardly keep
my 'ongue quiet"
Miss Abbie laughed. bui the flush
deeponed on her fair face nevertheless.
" am afraid no bird will ever nu'ter
into my cage, Louey,' she said. "But
don't let their remarks worry YOU. nv
dear Tell me The news, for am sure
you heard some.
There isn't much 20 tell, except that
| Addle Nelson's rich uncle, Colonel
/ Arundlc, of California, has written 10
say that he will pay them n visit in the
spring. lie is coming 20 New York on
, business. and Will run down here FOR
week or ten days. Addic talked a great
deal of the rich gifts she expected from
him. wish VIC had a rich uncle Abbie.
and that he would die and leave us ali
hispropcrty ] am 50 tired Of being poor.
When / rent my house Louey, will
dress you as fine rs n peacock
i am afraid you arc about rs likely
! 10 rnnL Nnmr Lnnan "a r.n.1 -. o.. 49,.