The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-06-04
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'Indecd!" said the dcacon's wife. |
knew by that she hadn't heard word we
had been saying.
"Why, yes" I repeated, a good deal
discouraged, for saw I must begin again
ut the very beginning--S she is more than
a hundred years old, and entirely desti-
tutc. Yet she Gid not complain Of any
thing but the cold. She was formerly i
slave i'll Kentucky, but somehow strayed
away up here, ana now has outlived every
body that ever belonged to her. If could
manage 10 get her in the CoIored Woman's
Home for the rest of her life, | should be
glad. But as she isn't q resident Of the
city, it will be necessary to pay her board.
A dollar a week, Mrs. Hoyt thinks it is. /"
"Certainly, that would be the best thing
to be done,' replied Mrs. Deacon, waking
up little. ''StiIl, don't know what we
can do until we have called meeting of
the society"
That was much like her! IF the vestry
had been on fire, she would have stopped
to call 8 meeting Of the society before she
would have yentured to throw on a dipper
of water.
''But the poor creature is freezing and
starving said /, impatiently. ACan't
you, us president Of tile society, empower,
me to give her at least one OF those woollen
sacks we have on hand?"
II don't know but / might go as far as
that, though [ suppose it isn't exactly in
or(er,' returned the deacon's wife, lean
ing back III her chair, and smoothing the
tabIe-coyer between her thumb and finger.
She seemed to be meditating, 50 waited
for minute, and then she said abruptly; ;
''NYllat do you think of Mr.. Brodhead,
Bella?''
There. | shouldn't wonder if he would
give us, something handsome" Iexclaim-
ed, going down Oh my knees in my heart
to the deacon's wife for my injustice. 'He
is d man of means, and It generous man,
I've always heard
The dcacon's wife looked puzzled.
30, your old colored woman,' said
shc directly. IT was not thinking about
her; l was thinking Of you. Mr.. Brod-
head has a very high opinion of you, Bella.
Did you know it:"
>tWhat do you mean, Mrs. Shackelford ?"
said |, AZ surprised as though the man in
the moon had winl1ed at me, for my friends
all knew how | detcsted such talk. And
besides. / never considered Mrs. Shackel-
ford that sort Of i woman. Her attention
was usually centred in the sewing-society
and her tlower-garGen.
But for once some other idea had taken
possession Of her mind, and as her thoughts
always ran in grooves, she never could
harbor more than one at 4 time.
:sAfr. Brodhead is nice man, and a fine
looking man. she said, looking At me
sharply. "a manof means, and a gener-
ous man, as you say
81 suppose so, replied, gathering my
shawl about me.
90, don't 90 yet, Bella. | was wanting
10 see you, and I considere your dropping
in quite proyidential. The deacon and ]
were talking Of calling on YOU this very
evening" said the deacon's wife, putting
out hcr hand to Keep me from rising /,
sand when / saw your blue shawl turning
in atthe gate, ! said to myself, That's as
marked i token rs Rebecea at the well,
with the pitcher on her shoulder. haven't
the gold earrings and bracelets 70 otter
you, but / have all the rest: she aided,
laughing nervously.
just now the deacon came in. Now there
il, iii the opinion Of his wife, but one rea-
son why Deacon tshackelford didn't make
4 the world. He found it already made.
And when he came in, she looked up to
him rs though Atlas had come, and she
could safely drop the words on his shout
| ders ind 90 off picking golden apllos.
II was Just speaking y good word fo1
5F9al1ead to Esas
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