The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-07-19

' $3.50
seasons over"
Mrs. Clements looked out of the window at
the great black clouds that were piling glOOmi-
iy up; ana then the wind gave great wailing
shrek around the corners OF the house,
you can cook, ken you or shake up teath.
cr beds-good big ones, forty FOUNDERS
A geetul little laugh came ripping from
Mary lips.
Indeed can may not cook to suit you,
but | can learn"
Mrs. Clements walked out to the huge open
fireplace IN the kitchen, where the deacon was
Smelling corn
What dye say deacon; keep her or not :
1 kind o like her looks, and the dear knows
1t nd be a good lift while we're KILN, If she
couldn't do no more'n set the table or make
mush for the bread"
Take her, of course Hannah, You are
lizard driv', know Let her stop week or so,
anyhow
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back and sat
down again.
You can't get away tonight, anyhow
there's a snow-storm been brcwin these three
days, and its on Us now sure enough. See
them ere flakes fine and thick? You may As
well take your things upstairs To the west gar
ret and then come down and help me to get
supper
Then followed directions to the west garnet,
and when she was gone Mrs Clements turned
| to the deacon, and said
II never saw girl before I'd trust upstairs
alone. But such as her don't steal; can tell
you that if nothing else
Directly she came down III a purple print
dress and white apron her hair brushed OFT
from her face INTO net; Il narrow linen col.
lar, fastened with sailors loop Of narrow rib.
bon. 1t seemed AS if she had lite, too, so handl-
| ly she fitted in and GU. OF the pantry, and
then down the cellar Then after the meal she
gathered the dishes in a neat, quiet way, that
was a perfect heaven of bliss to Mrs Clements
ears.
Shes determined to earn her bread any
how and like her turn. too
| And the deacon had taken shine" to Mary
Smith One by one the day, wore on; The
| hog Killing was over and done; long strings
of sausagcs hung in fantastic rings arranged
by Mary's def fingers sweet hams and shOu
ders were piled away IN true house.witely man
ner, and now Mary and Mrs Clements were
sitting in the sunny diningroom, darning,
patching and mending.
IL don't know what I'm going to do without
lyou, Mary. dread to see you pack up your
clothes"
A blush of pleasure ovcrspread Mary's pref
| ty face
II am so glad you have been suited with
my work Indeed | have tlleu.'
1T amt the work altogether, though good
ness knows YOU'RE the smartest gal I've seen
this many day As | say, it amt the work
| its YOU Mary-mc and the deacon"
Mays voice ,rcmbled at the kindness of the
/ old lady's voice, but she sewed on.
| "lt's so uncommon lonesome since the boy
| left the farm" she went on; but it's worse
since he got married 1t seems like deserving
us altogether"
Have you rot Il son? You never mention
ed him"
mo, George has gone his way, and we must
90 ours. Yes, he married one of those crack
headed boardlngschool people, who can't tell
the difference between rolling-pin and a
mIk-pan."
But despite her scorn, Mrs Clements dashed
off the tears with her brown fist.
is his wife pretty? | suppose you love
her dearly"
| II don't know anything about her, aud new
cr 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 ii they
are burnin'.'
When Mary had turned the cakes, Mrs.
Clements was leaning on the arm OF her chair.
Mary supposin' you stop with Us another
month yet, anyhow. The deacon will make it
all right"
"Itisn't the money care for, Mrs Clements;
| only wish might stay always You don't
know how much | love you
Love us, do you? Bless your heart If
poor George had only picked you out, what Il
comfort it would be to US all But it can't be
helped now
She sighed YEARLY, then glanced out OF the
window, looked a moment, and then threw
down her work
BLESS my soul, if there amt our George
coming up the lane! Deacon deacon, our
George is com,ngl'
| With all the mother love rushing To her
hear, she hurried out to meet HIM. oh, the
welcoming the rcprOaches, the Caresscs, the
determination to love him still despite poor,
innocent little Marion Then, when the table
had been set IN the next room by Mary's deit
fingers and she had returned to her "west car
ret Mrs Clements opened her heart
There's no use tallin', George, this fine,
fancy lady q yours II sever suit me- Give
me smart girl like our Mary Smith and I'll
ask no more. Come in to supper now. Mary,
Mary"
She raised her voice to call the girl, when IA
low voice near surprised hey
| oh YOU dressed up in honor o my boy,
Wei, must confess never knew you had
such handsome dress, and you look like
real picture with your net off and them short
bobbing curls! George, tins is Mary Smith,
Imy-'
George came through the door and glanced
carclcssly at the corner where the young wo-
man stood. Then, with cry, sprang with out.
stretched arms to meet the little figure that
sprang INTO them The deacon and Mrs. Gle
ments now stood IN speeches. amazement
Then Marion, all bushes and fearful smiles,
went over to the old PAIR and took both their
| hands
IL AIN Georges wife, | was SO afraid you
would never love me, so | came determined To
win you if could Mother father, may be
your daughter"
And a happier family, when they had ex
hausted their powers OF surprise, abatement
and pride in the beautiful Marion, never gave
thanks over supper table.
Supervisor J. II. Cogswell, OF Greenwood
Mich was administrator of an estate, and be
ing called upon to render an account of his
Gr. 80 htp ,tItp hn haA