The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-04-01

! life will ever hold"
He dried her tears, and then the,
talked it over.
"Just because 1 am city bred sh
thinks I am lazy, and naughty, ant
dainty, and"
"Never mind, Marion. She viii
find out some day. My father"
Yes, bless the dear old man! HI
has added: My love to my daughter
Marion Oh, i know 1 should love
him, and your mother, too, if she
would let me-"
We will invite them down when
come home. By the way, Marion, ]
will stop at the farm on my way home
and invite them down, and bring
them home with me-"
"George, dear. I've been thinking
about that trip West. think you had
better go and leave me at home. 1t
WON'T be so very long"
Marion was eating her eggs while
she spoke across the cozy little breaks
fast table. go
"SpOken like my true little Maf9d
and when 1 come back I'll bring you
a present. What shall it be, dearest?"
Your father and mother from the
farm. It shall be the hope that shall
bear me company when you are gone" !"
A fortnight after that, Marion Gle
ments ate her breakfast alone, the
traces of a tear or so on her pale
cheeks; she dashed them away with a
merry, joyous laugh.
"This will never do, and now, that
George has gone for six weeks, to pre-
pare for his return. And I pray Heav-
en- that it shall be such a coming as
shall delight his SOUL"
Pm sure I don't know what to
say. The land knows I need help bad
enough; but it pears to me that such
a slender little midget as you couldn't
earn her salt. What did you say your
name was?"
Mary Smith. And, indeed. if you
will keep me till the seasons over"
Mrs. Clements looked out of the
at the great clouds that were
piling gloomily up and then the wind
gave great wailing shrek around the
corners of the house.
"You can't cook, ken you or shake
up feather beds-good big ones, forty
FOUNDERS!
A gleeful little laugh came from
Mary's lips.
"Indeed I can. I may not cook to
suit you, but 1 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? kind o. like her looks, and
The dear knows, it 'ud be good lift
while we're killin', if she couldn't do
no more than set the table or make
nush for the bread"
Take her, of course, Hannah. You
are hard driv', know. Let her stop
4 week or SO, anyhow"
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back
md sat down.
You can't get away tonight, any
q snow storm been brew
ing these three days and it's on us
now, sure enough. See them 'ere flakes
fine and thick. You may as well take
your things up stairs to the west garret
and then come down and help me get
supper"
Then followed directions to the west
garrett, and when she was gone Mrs.
Clements turned to the deacon, and
,aid:
L never saw a girl before that I'd
rust upstairs alone. But such as her
ion't steal. I can tell you that, if
nothing else."
Directly she came down in a purple
print dress and white apron her hair |
brushed off from her face into a net a |
narrow linen collar, fastened with a
ailor's loop of narrow ribbon. 1t |
as if she had life, too, so hand
ly she fitted in and out of the pantry, |
md then down cellar. Then, after the |
neal, she gathered the dishes in neat |
luiet way, that was perfect bliss to old |
Mrs. Clements ears.
"She's determined to earn her own |
,read, anyhow, and I like her turn,
co."
And the deacon had" taken shine"
o Mary Smith. One by one the days
vore on; the hog killing season was
,vor ond dOno lon n, OF p; =, e,c IF eo,,couas
lung in fantastic rings arranged by
dary's deft fingers sweet hams and
houlders were piled in truly house
vifely manner, and now Mary and
Mrs. Clements were sitting in the sun
~ dining-room, darning, patching
md mending.
don't know what L am going to
10 without you, Mary. L dread to see
'ou pick up your clothes"
A blush Of pleasure overspread Ma
y's face. ~ am SO glad you have
,een suited with my work. Indeed 1
lave tried"
Itain't the work altogether, though |
goodness knows, you are the smartest |
AAA - vS SSOA eAAAo AAAhJ u odJs <AS l. |
ay, it amt the work, it's you, Mary
ne and the deacon"
Mary's voice trembled at the kind
less of the old lady's voice, and she
ewed rapidly on.
It's SO uncommon lonesome since |
he boy left the farm" she went on,
but it's worse since he got married.
It seems like deserting us altogether"
"Have you son? You never men,
,iOned him."
No, George has gone his way and
We must go ours. Yes, he married one
If those crack-headed boarding-school
people, who can't tell the difference
a rolling pin and a milk-pan."
But despite her scorn Mrs. Clements
dashed off the tears with her own