Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-05-04
JACK PLAYNES STORY.

De. am the man tnat KNOWS tue wy 'ue
story is about. I am only Jack Playne.
He was a very different sort Of q fellow
from me.
His mother was a widder Hennings.
His father had been dead six or seven
years when this history begins. They
came to Greenbush for good many sum-
mers before he died. and after that the
widder made up her mind to stay there.
You see Hennings didn't leave much
just couple of thousands on life insur-
ance, and the cottage and acre in Green
bush. All the rest was used in settling
the estate.
But you'd never guess, not from her
talk that she didn't own private bank.
She talked about the convenience OF fix-
ed income; lone could calculate 80 ex-
ac,ly how far it would 60 and never be
disappointed" And she would groan
over the income tax when. poor thing, it
never came nigh her.
You see, she came Of excellent family.
In early times, one Of her ances tors was
governor, and great uncle had been
senator, before it was slow" to be sem
ator. That is, she used to say so. !
DON, know about it. I've always had
to work hard and live plain, and there
was always the taxes hot and heavy,
whatever else happened, and "senator
always looked high enough for me. And
in most all the families Of her connection
the boys went to college and the girls to
boarding school. and spoke French and
played the piano. Not that have heard
of there being much money in the fami-
ly. but they paid their way and studied
hard, and go, to be lawyers. or doctors,
or preachers. Never none Of EN- down.
right worked with his hands for living.
One reason why the widder stuck to
Greenbush, was the school. The teacher
was excellent, and as il cost nothing,
could be better for her son, Ho-
ratio. Crash" for short), until as
she'd say, "he's ready to prepare for col
lege." Seems to me as if could see her
now. The same black satin dress, win
ter and summer. In winter. a thread
bare, black cloak in summer, net shawl,
darned in some places very nicely, and
black mits and the same black satin bon
net, made over and over, once year,
through it al. She had some lace she
could put on when she went out to tea
at the doctors or the squires and and
set Of jet and gold ornaments, which
were very old, TO fasten the lace and
swing in her ears. And the widder Hen
nings was a splendid woman tall, straight
as an Indian and head set well back on
her shoulders. l often watched her 60
up the broad aisle, and thought I'd like
to test her with plum line! she was so
straight. But Eliza says I'm forever
carrying the shop with me. Then she'd
a wonderful high hooked nose. and eye
brows that arched over her black eyes
like the front door of the old mansion
house; and hardly gray hair in her head.
Must have been an awful cross for such
a fine woman to give up dress, and all
the vanities of this world to live in such
a plain way in Greenbush.
Dear heart! she never kept no help,
only once fortnight Bette Doolittle did
out the heaviest of the washing. The
little things, such as handkerchiefs and
collars she did herself, and called it her
"fine wash" 1t tlooked like doll -baby's
washing day.
The cottage itself was cheaply-built,
plain finished affair, with common wood
work; but often found time to do little
jobs for her in slack times; and what
with the garden, and the interest on the
life insurance, and the water color and
wax flower lessons she gave tothe 'Squires
wife and the doctors daughters, she got
along.
She often made presents of embroidery
to brides and babies, and presents were
made to her. Once she got . barrel Of
potatoes, once = barrel Of winter apples,
and often bushel Of pears, or something
like that. On the whole she got along.
If anybody came in while she was max
ing her crocheting, or her tatting, or her
embroidery, (not an inch of which she
ever used at home) she would talk about
how much more ladylike il was to have
nice under clothing and plain dresses, than
.'outside show and rsss." Eliza used to