Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-06-04
A Peculiar Woman.

if you amt spilled about quart! ]
knew you'd get it too full"
II didn't spill more than ten drops,
Cousin Silence. How you worry over
the loss of little grease!'
TITS one of my principles to save, as
you might O. learned long ago."
II believe in prudence; but what's a
few drops of lard more or less to you with
this farm, and nobody knows how much
in bank? You skimp and screw as il
there were danger of your getting on the
town."
"Well, you are the frankest young man
l ever saw and Silence Withers put
her arms akimbo and gazed at her young
cousin, Tom Lowey, as if he was a curl
osity escaped from some museum.
" Yes; l was always noted for my
frankness;" said Tom coolly, "and 1 new
er hesitate to speak my mind when duty
urges. However, l don't want to hurt
your feelings, Cousin Silence"
mo danger" said Miss Silence, with
a laugh of derision, I'm no spring chick
en-, and my feelin's have grown tough.
But the idea of your duty urgin' you
to speak your mind to me. Perhaps you
don't recollect the whippin's l used to
give you"
II haven't forgotten" laughed Tom
"You used to make me do my duty in
those days. But wish l could convince
you that it would be only Christian act
for you to send little help to Mrs. Bald
win. You wouldn't feel the spending Of
fifty dollars out of your fifty thusand."
''Massy sakes! it seems as if other folks
know more about my business than l dc
myself. Fifty thousand! Law! Who
said was worth that much?"
30. it's common talk" replied Tom.
"Well, it wont do you any good tc
talk. You'll never see the color of my
money after I'm dead and gone. I've
made my will, and since plain speakin
pleases you, I'll make free to say you ain't
mentioned in it, So there!"
II calculate to take care of myself,
said Tom, fitting his chair againt the
wall. Leave your money wherever
you choose; l don't want it,"
"The day may come when you will
want it, Tom Lowey, and then you'll b,
sorry for sayin' them words. I'll remem
Der 'em, and so will you when your prid'
has its fall. There's plenty O things
can leave my money to; it won't 60 beg
ging."
''I guess not"
YOU'D more'n guess if you was to liv
here spell and see the stream of visitor
I have. There amt day but get nag
ged about my money by somebody. Dea
con Bonney thinks it's his bounden dut,
to advise me to leave it to found an or
phan's home. Old Mr.. Craig wants
left to Wolfboro' Academy; Squire Dar
by has his mind on it for public library
and the minister thinks | ought to re
member what a debts on the church
To hear 'em talk, you'd think I had on
foot in the grave. I don't give none {
'em any satisfaction, and then they sa
I'm peculiar. Well, perhaps am, but
don't see no prospect of any change i
my natur."
Tom laughed. He was spending
couple of hours at the farm, which ha
been his only home until he began t
scratch for himself" to use his gaur
cousins expression. Now he never Il
more than day or two pass withor
looking in on the lone spinster to see
he could give her any help, and to-day
was making himself useful in lifting jal
and boilers of hot grease on and off IL
stove; for Miss Silence was trying O,
lard.
Toms law practice, as yet, was n,
very exacting, much to his regret; M
he had more time on his hands tbs
pleased him.
"But now do promise you'll send MI
Baldwin something for Christmas, Co
sin Silence" said Tom, returning to Il
attack.
'I never promise what / don't mei
to perform" was the characteristic a
swer he received to his pleading. "Ms
tina Baldwin and amt been on speak
terms for these five years, and I'd
maxim myself pretty small to send /
Christmas presents. I'd soon be on t
town if began to help all the poor fol
I know. 1t pears to me you take
mighty deep interest in them Baldwin