Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-08-27

A>C-AS w 4hios hClu 11fSA AA1Ss NAOA 40
she was pleasant, energetic, talkative
person; an interchangeable church-goer,
and a benevolent soul; but she did not
belong TO the Blank Church, and the
did; she went to the Banker
house of worship, and did not care
cent about any other denomination. 1t
did not affiict her much that Mr.. Boards
ley was one Of the inactive sisters, be-
cause she was blank; if she had beensa
Banker, Mrs. Morris would have been
SIS troubled SIS Mrs. Dean was about the
new neighbor, though on different
principle.
As it was, she called on her after q
while; but her time was SO taken up
with the Banker Church, her house was
so filled and overrun with all the Blank
er congregation, from the minister down
to the sexton; she had so many weddings
and funerals, and societies to attend,
that Mrs. Beardsley hardly saw her in
her own house for the next year, though
Mrs. Morris call was promptly returned.
Next to Mrs. Morris lived the Waters
family, nice, kindly, plain young people;
Mrs. Waters sister being the the third
member of the family. The husband
was a timer, and it was in his shop
where she was buying a tea-kettle that
the new neighbor was introduced to
them. They meant to call, they were
members Of the same church to which
the Beardsleys belonged, and lived only
two houses away, but they were so shy!
It seemed to be sort of agony to them
to speak before stranger; they blushed,
and stammered, and looked every way
but the right one. At last, after year
of waiting, they came one evening, but
they never came again.
Up above her, for the street was on
the side of gentle declivity, MIR.
Beardsley had another neighbor, a car
penter's wife, Mrs Green. She, too,
seemed to be shy at first, but was attract
ed after while by Justina's flowers and
Tommy's merry face. She was childless
herself, and her one passion was flowers,
and after the ice was broken she came in
often, sometimes with an apple Tom
my, sometimes with q rose for bis moth
er. Mrs. Roberts had called Mrs.
Beardsley proud and "stuck up" but
Mrs, Green did find her SO.
"She's real NICE" WAS her unbiased
verdict, as she walked home one night
with the Waters family from prayer
Il did expect she'd be a little
airy, SEEM who her folks were; but she
amt, not mite. She's as pleasant as
pie I dunno when pve set so much by
a new neighbor as l do by her. Mis-
Desn's leetle to high in the instep for
me; and Mis- Morris, she don't care for
unless they're Banker; and
you can't take no solid comfort with
Mis- Roberts, she's so particular leest
you shouldn't think so much of her as
you'd ought to. But my! Mis- Boards
ley, she's just as easy as an old shoe. I
wish't [ hadn't stayed away SO long; but
you know, Malviny, | hain't no hand to
make acquaintance with folks, I don't
know as I should ever ha' knowed you if
John hadn't been my nephew" Mrs.
Waters gave little laugh, but she did
not say anything; she did not remember
much about her own call on the new
neighbor but her own painful shy
ness.
There was still another neighbor on
the street, old Miss Betsey Parker, the
tailoress, who lived in q small brown
house next but one to the one which the
Beardsleys occupied. She was plain,
uneducated woman, having plenty Of
common sense, and q cheerful nature;
no especial talent or brightness, or
charm Of aspect, but she was an honest
and humble Christian. Mrs. Dean sent
her sewing when she had It; and Mrs
Morris found it very handy to have a
taiIoress &c close by them when her two
big boys tore their clothes, especially as
Miss Betsey went to Blanker Church.
Beside these small sources Of income she
made shrouds for the Dalton factory,
and coffin trimmings, the day of tailor
ess work having gore by; and
she owned the little old house
which was set about with Gin
namon roses and hlacs, and had a
garden devoted chiefly to corn, beans
and squashes, though great bunch of
Glove pinks and a cluster OF red peonies
adorned its border. She was the first
neighbor whose acquaintance Mrs.
Beardsley made. While that weary wo-
man was putting down her parlor carpet,
she looked up at the sound Of kind
voice, and saw slat sun-bonnet peering
round the edge of the door; deep in its
gingham vault Miss Betsey's cheerful
face smiled at her. I thought mebbe
could help you someway. [ live next
door but one, and if you want anything
I've got just send for it; matches or salt
or an extra hammer. I know how tits;
folks always forget somethin'. Mercy
sake! Let me get hold of that stretcherl
Them poor little hands OF yourn amt Fl t
for such heavy work." and suiting the
action to the word, she took Mrs. Boards
ley's place, and the refractory carpet be-
came docile at once, while poor Justina
sat down on the floor and felt like cry
ing for mere relief "There, I wish twas
the first instead of the last. | live right
up here in that small house with the
lean-to, and if you want thing I've got
to help ye, send right up. MY names
Betsey Parker"
ooh, thank you. I was so tired!'
was the rather incoherent answer: but
the very grateful look out of Mrs,
Beardsley's expressive eyes filled it out
for Miss Betsey.
She had not stopped to consider her
own position or her neighbor's, but
capoQ ST cnoo fo COO IF oIo oou15 bol,>