Frostburg mining journal., 1880-09-04

/ WeuG, TedllZlHR ltS WOrSU features eaCQ
time in despair, until a voice out in the
kitchen, said: "Bettyw and heavy
footsteps proclaimed that some one
was on the point of breaking in upon
her unlimited,
Betty sprang up, ch oked back her
sobs, and tried with all her might to
compose herself and remove all traces
of her trouble.
The visitor was the worst possible
one she could have under the circum-
stances. Crowding herself on terms of
the closest intimacy with the pretty
bride, who with her husband had
moved into the village a twelvemonth
previous, Miss Elvira Simmons had
made the very most of her opportun-
tiles, and by dint of making great par
ase over helping her in some domestic
work, such as housecleaning, dressmak-
ing, and the like, the maiden lady had
managed to ply her other vocation, that
OF newsgatherer, at one and the same
time, pretty effectually.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty inwardly resented
it; and she made a great handle of her
friendship on every occasion, making
John rage violently, and VOW a thou
sand times the "old maid" should walkl
But she never had-and now, soenting
dimly, like carrion after its prey, that
trouble might come to the pretty little
white house, the make mischief had
come to do her work, if devastation had
really commenced.
Been crying" she said, more plain
ly than politely, and sinking down into
the pretty chintz-o overed rocking chair
with an energy that showed she meant
to stay, and made the chair creak fear
fully. "Only folks do say that you and
your husband don't live happy but lai
I wouldn't mind-I know 'tain't your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
to this! John and she not to live hap
PLY! To be sure they didn't, as she
remembered with pang the dreadful
scene of words and not tempers; but
had it gotten around so soon-a story
in everybody's mouth.
With all her distres, of mind she was
saved from opening her mouth. So
Miss Simmons, failing in that, was
forced to go on.
"An' l tell folks so," she said, rock
ing herself back and forth to witness the
effect of her words, when they git to
talkin' so you can't blame me, if things
don't 60 easy for you, I'm surel"
"You tell folks SOP" repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite still.
"Whatp / don't understand"
"Why, that the blame is all his'n,"
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. "I say,
says 1, why they couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife he's
got. That's what say, Betty. And then /
tell 'em what queer man he is, how
cross. an"
"And you dare to tell people such
tliuSo VI NY hu5UduoE Cllcu oCbby,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
height, and towering so over the old
woman in the chair that she jumped
in confusion at the storm she had raised,
and stared blindly into the blazing eyes
and face rosy with righteous indigna-
ton, her only thought was how to get
away from the storm she had raised,
but could not stop. But she was forced
to stay, for Betty stood just in front of
the chair, and blocked up the way, so
she skunk back into the smallest corner
of it. and took it as best she could. My
husband!" cried Betty, dwelling with
pride on the pronoun-at least, If they
were to part, she would say it over low
ingly as much as she could till the last
moment; and then, when the time did
come, why people should know that it
wasn't Johns fault-"the best, the
kindest, the noblest husband that was
ever given to woman. I've made him
more trouble than you can guess; my
hot temper has vexed him-1've been
cross, impatient, and"
"Hold!" cried voice; YOU'RE talk
ing against my wife!" and in moment
big John Peabody rushed through the
door, grasped the little woman in his
arms, and folded her to his heart, right
before old maid and all!
"Ohw said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight, and setting her spectacles more
firmly.
"And, now that you've learned all
that you can," said John, turning round
to her, still holding Betty, "why-you
may go"
The chair was vacant. A dlssolving
view through the door was all that was
to be seen OF the gossip, who started
up the road hurriedly, leaving peace be-
hind"
Betty" said John, some half hour
hour afterward. "What was the sigh
forP Idon't care now, but did think,
dear, and it cut me to the heart,
how you might have married richer. /
longed to put ten times ten into your
hand, Betty, and it CALLED me because l
couldn't"
Betty smiled, and twisted away from
his grasp. Running into the bedroom,
she presently returned still smiling,
with a bundle rolled up in clean
towel.
This she put on her husbands knee,
who stared at her wonderingly.