The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-15

hsps / am, but 1 don't see no prospect
OF any change 10 my natur'." f"
Tom laughed. He was spending a
couple of hours at the farm, which had
been his only home until be began to
scratch for himself" to use his gaunt
Cousins expression. Now he never let
more than a day or two pass without
looking in on the lone spinster 10 see il
be could give her any help, and to-day
he was making himself useful in lifting
jars and boilers Of hot grease on aud of
the stove for Miss Silence was trying
out lard.
Toms law practice, as yet, was not
very eXacting, much TO his regret; and
he had more time on his hands than
pleased him.
"But now do promise you'll send Mrs.
Baldwin something for Christmas, Cou-
sin Silence" said Tom, returning to the
attack.
81 never promise what I don't mean
to PERFORM was the characteristic an-
swer he received to his pleading. MAR
-tha Baldwin and ! amt been on speak
in terms for these five years, and I'd be
maxim myself pretty small 10 send her
Christmas presents. I'd soon be on the
town if began to help all the poor
folks know. IL pears to me you take
a mighty deep interest In them Bald
wins, Tom. Melissa Bonney let out a
hint that you was sparkin' that Prissy
Carroll"
81 wish Melissa Bonney would mind
her business
Don't get riled. I dare say it's true.
'Twouid be like you 70 court gal with
out penny, because youiv not q penny
yourself. Prissy Carroll's been raised
out Of charity by her aunt"
THAT don't make her less lovablei
Cousin Silence"
NOW, Tom Lowey," said Miss ST.
lence, brandishlng tue big iron spoon
with which she stirred the lard, "don't
make fool Of yourself over a pretty
face. Butter your bread before you eat
it. There's Melissa BOnney, whose
fathers worth"
THAT'S enough" interrupted Tom,
and before Miss Silence could stop him
he was out OF the kitchen door and
walking briskly down the path to the
gate.
Lawful sakes! what peculiar crea-
lures men are. Talk Of me bein' pecu-
liar; why, l amt a circumstance 10
that Tom Lowey. He'll marry that
Prissy Carroll, now, il it's only TO show
LII AAD 1oI I keAA 2 AUA IL AhNlNg eAN
with sigh Miss Silence went back TO
her lard.
christmas gift, indeed !" she NUT
| tered, after standing for some time in
deep thought. 81 think I see myself
eatin' humble pie TO Martha Baldwin"
| But somehow or other her conscience
did not feel quite so easy as it had be-
/ fore Toms call.
An hour later Tom was sitting in the
widow Baldwin's small parlor, with his
arm about a very trim waist, and 6
very lovely golden head resting on hi:
shoulder. IL was very evident that the
closest economy was necessary with the
Baldwins, for the carpet was patched
and worn, the muslin curtains washed
threadbare, and the furniture in sac
need OF varnish and new hair-eloth.
81 wish l saw my way clear to TAXI
you out Of this, Prissy," said Tom, will
a sigh; "but clients are scarce enough
in WolfbOro'."
"Now, Tom, where's the need Il
worry? 1 couldn't leave Aunt Martha
anyway. We are both young enough
to wait"
you're too good for this world, Pris
sy," said Tom, with a kiss on the dim
pied white chin.
I AutEG > some ouC huofhluE lcb ult
/ 60" cried Prissy, springing up and run
ming 10 the door.
1t was no visitor, but the hired man
from Miss Silence's farm, with the
spring wagon, which be had brought "a
convey Tom at once to his cousins
home, for Miss Silence had, not ten
minutes after his departure, an hour
I previous, overturned a Kettle of lard by
accident, and been terribly scalded.
"Where's my hat ?" cried Tom, in
great excitment, while the man was
telling how he had wasted time by go
ing to the Office first, and, not finding
him there, had hunted him up.
"Let me go with you, Tom ; l know
can help" cried Prissy, as herlover was
springiDg into the light wagon.
"Oh, Prissy II you only would"
"WRit until / get my bonnet and
shawl, and tell Aunt Martha l won't
be gone q minute" and Prissy rushed
into the kitchen where her aunt was
ironing.
"Go, by all means" said Mrs. Bald
win, when she had grasped the meaning
Of the girls incoherent explanation
"Stay as long as you are needed, and DC
not worry about me-"
Miss Silence made no remark wher
f Prissy entered her room with Tom. She
was in great pain, and was thankful c
see even this member of the hated Bald
win household.
l For three weeks Prissy was chief di
rector at the farm, aud managed things
so cleverly that Miss Silence had nc
chance to fnd fault. But the grin
spiuster had no words OF commentator
/ for the young girls untiring Industry.
,Hf-.r1aFa IN for what Vnr
have done,u she said one day, as sh,
watched Prissy making bread. "IoI
needn't think you're workin' for moth
| in"
'I don't want any pay, Miss Silence
| said Prissy, with trembling lips. II an
only glad to do what can, because
she hesltated, and turned scarlet.
because you're in love with Tom,
I finished Miss Silence. "Oh, you needn'
blush I know all about it, aud II h'
/ chooses to break his head gin stOnl
wall, amt agoin' to stop him."
At the end of three weeks Miss 81
lence was able to be about again, anC
Prissy went home declining the twenty
dollar bill offered her for her services
But she had not gone three hours befOr'
the hired man came from the farm
with two large baskets, which he Sc
down on Mrs. Baldwin's kitchen floor
"Compliments Of Miss Silence, anI
she sent these in place Of the money
and was driving of in the spring wagoI
before Prissy could recover sufficiently
from her establishment to ask him any
questions.
The basket was full Of good things o
every sort, and there was a royal Christ
mas dinner for the Baldwins the mex
day, much to the joy of the children