The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-08-04

"Laww said Mrs. Blyster, bridling
"you haven't no interest in your fellow.
bein's. Now here's a poor man, as
l likely man as I've seen this many q
long day, gone and a-lost his wife-the
[ dearest creetur to him prob'ly in the
7 world" And Mrs. Blyster's voice
choked up. "And you haven't no more
sympathy with him than nothin' in th
| world"
There was an eloquence of reproach
in this which quite silenced me-though
l feebly protested my innocence-and
the subject was dropped.
Sunday, however, was the grand day
for Mrs. Blyster's observation, for
then the inexpensive he"-it was a
real trial to her that she did not know
his name-was at home all day. She
speculated on his name great deal.
"There's a bearin' about his men,
said that lady with some sentiment,
THAT seems to sorter show he hain't
got no common name; now know he
hain't got no name like Smith"
"I'm afraid we never shall know,n
!said, soberly; I'm getting well very
| ldSG, pllS olySIel.
"Yes you bel" said the good soul,
giving me an affectionate hug. "Yes
you be; an I'm glad enough if it do put
me out of a job. But likely the doctor
II get me here again."
"Oh. yes" I said; "but what do you
think that mans name is now?"
Mrs. Blyster returned to the subject
with evident alacrity.
Likely 'taint nothin' like Perkins?"
she said, interrogatively. The Perkinses
were great family, who lived near by
in grand mansion.
"You know l haven't seen him." I
said, half ashamed of drawing out the
dear, old creature just for my own
amusement. perhaps it might be
Crippen." The Crippen's lived further
down the street and, though not so aris-
tocratic as the Perkinses, had still
claims to consideration.
"That Just about suits him. said good
Mrs. Blyster, with some enthusiasm.
"Mr. Crippen! That sounds quite like
him. declare I'm ashamed at my age,
but rainy rs tits / could really almost
put on my gums and 60 out. feel SO
kinder anxious to git hold Of his name"
I couldn't help laughing. Mrs.
Blyster," said, ~ do hope you will
know some day, and if ever find out
I'll tell YOU"
Something in my manner quite in
jured her feelings.
Il s'pose you think I'm silly" she
said, in hurt way; "but, indeed, he's
very nice man."
II know he is, dear Mrs. Blyster," I
said, penitently. And I'm every bit
in earnest, and l want you to promise to
make me some of that famous toast of
yours tonight. Alas! l fear 1 shan't
have much more of it''-for l was al
most well. This cleared good Mrs.
| Blyster's face in a moment, and she
gahtened to set out the cherubs and
sillydowers and ran to get the toaSter.
Two days later | was to go. The
bills were paid and the carriage was
ordered, and Sarah Blyster and I were
sitting before the pleasant fire having a
farewell chat, when suddenly in burst
one of the maids.
"Mrs. Blyster," she said, in an agi-
tated voice, "the doctor wants you right
away. There's carpenter lives back
here on the little back street, and he's
fell off the roof. Oh! it's awful. I saw
him, and mebby he'll get well an mebbe
he WON'T"
Mrs. Blystcr's rosy face grew percep-
tibly paler and her comfortable hand
felt cold as it touched mine.
"It's him. miss. MIR. Grip" she
checked herself, "but likely that ain
his name. And, miss, l do believe there
a Providence in it, and here I'm goin
to find out his name without havin'to
put on my guns at all; but, mercy"
for size had suddenly realized that there
was no time to ruminate, II hope he
amt q goin' to die. He amt if good
nursin' III a save him! Goodbye, miss
--yes III call up to Simses sometimes.
Bless your heart" and Mrs. Blyster was
gone.
So went back again to school. The
fever had not spread and everything
was as quiet and stupid as ever. Some
times letters came, and 1 spent the vaca-
ton with my mothers friends in dis
tant place. | forgot almost that had
ever had the scarlet fever or had been
under the care of good, efficient Mrs.
Blyster. The tall term began and
Thanksgiving was close upon US when
Peggy entered my room one day and
u
printed: Mrs. Sarah Blyster."
Then it all came back to me, and
rushed into the reception-room to give
the good creature q loving embrace
which quite upset her, and made her
wipe her kindly, susceptible eyes-and
to ask, the first thing: "How's the
carpenter that was hurt?"
Mrs. Blyster blushed violently, and
said, with simper:
"You hain't a-forgot, sure's I live"
"Of course haven't, Il said, warmly.
II take great deal of interest in my
fellow beings, in spite ofyour thinking
don't. How is he?"
claw, miss, he want hurt so awful
bad; STILL" raising her eyebrows and
looking serious, he was pretty sick for
awhile, and he broke q ieetle bone in
his foot, which makes him rather lame"
"But what's his name?" I inter-
rupted, impatiently.
"That's it," said Mrs. Blyster, i'm
you should a-said Crippen? I knew
twan'U no common name, and it amt.
is Crimpton; now don't that sound
mostly like Crippen?"
cit does, indeed" I said, trying to
look as surprised rs I lelt l ought to.
but how did you get along?"
"Oh" blushing again, we got along
first-rate, and that's what I come to tell
you. We-that is-well, miss-I de-
clare" and good Mrs. Blyster looked
like a fifteen-year girl With her first
beau. 81 come a-expectin' to ask you
if you would do US the honor, you havin'
a-known all the circumstances from the
start, TOTO"
"To whatp" I cried, rs interested as
Mrs. Blyster herself.
"Well, if you must know-it's pleas
ant room. you know, with the rag car.
pet and clock a-tickin', and we're goin'
to be married there Thanksgiving day.
'Tain't ben year yet, but he needs me.
bein' lame you know-and mebbe you'll
ONE to the weddin'."
You may be sure that I went.