Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-01-01


was made by Melissa's pretty hands,
and I do not think you will find 1t sea-
soned with pepper and vinegar, as my
poor, high-tempered Polly seasoned her
pics"
It had flashed through Polly's head
what, perhaps. she had done, but to
have IL insinuated that she did 1t on
purpose was too much, and with a choke
In her throat, which she was afraid
would break out in sob, Polly left the
room.
Miss Phoebe had never loved her or
phan niece; nay. more, she had always
disliked her; but since the advent of
the minister in the village society she
had seemed to hate her with all the
venom of an embittered nature. She
had fed and clothed her since infancy
because she had promised her dying
brother she would do 80, and duty"
was Miss Ph9be's watchword. The
little lonely thing had won no place in
her heart, because from the very first it
had turned from her and called her
ugly and cross. Miss Phoebe asserted,
upon what foundation was questionable,
that but for this encunbrance she would
now be the wife wealthy farmer in q
neighboring county.
So all that had been done for the child
had been done grudgingly, but notwith-
standing she grew up beautiful and
bright. The towns people, with whom
Miss Phoebe was no favorite, whispered
that she would never forgive Polly for
being so pretty-it was continual cross
to her. Aud perhaps this was so, for at
one time Miss PhGbe's eyes were cast
on the minister, but finding there was
not n shadow of a chance for her, she
determined, to use her own expression,
that Polly should not "entrap him"
and she set to work accordingly.
Mr.. Thompson Jones, in other words
Tom Jones, and his young wife inhab-
tied handsome brown-stone residence
on Twenty-fifth street. The street lamps
were lighted and glistening with frost
1t was dusk of a snowy night in the lat
ter part of November.
Mr.. Jones and his wife chatted and
laughed over a cosy tea-table.
"How do you like your new girl,
dearP" queried Tom; 81 never saw a
better-cooked steak; must be good
cook"
Good" echoed Mrs. Jones; Z" | think
she is; she is a jewel, n treasure. And
Tom," she continued, enthusiastically,
have you seen herP She is perfect
| beauty"
Yes" said Tom. absently. "but she
only struck me rs looking too young to
know much. BY the way. l heard from
Frank to-day he will take dinner with
happy man! A new house Ipaid for), n
pretty wife, good cook, and dear old
Frank to sit at my board. Do you know
| he has had n call hprp-0
"Of course he will accept it!" inter-
rupted Mrs. Jones. 4" 1t is shame for
a man of his talent TO bury himself in an
obscure village"
"Of course he will. wrote to him
that | would show him n perfect house
tomorrow, Mrs. Jones. So he prepared
for explorations of all your premises I;
every water pipe will be examined. OF
course they are always spotlessly clean,
but thought would warn you-and-
keep your pretty cook out OF the way. for
| want Frank 10 think Mrs. Jones the
p-ettiest woman in the house, Mt any
rate"
The next day dawned bright and
clear.
Polly looked wistfully out of the case
ment window of the house in Twenty
| fifth street. She would have liked to
join the throng Of richly-dresscd people
crowdi " to hear the new minister, called
to the church around the corner.
The dinner hour was FIVE. 30 she
could have found time to go, but since
she Lad been serving in her new capacity
it was only by a great effort that she
compelled herself to 90 out to buy neces-
sary clothing. She watched little Mrs
Jones trail down the steps in an elegant
| IL. 4
bands arm. Polly wiped n mist from
dow was not good for her, she went back
to the kitchen and warbled little song
to cheer herself. And the canary in his
cage took up the song, and no harsh
voice silenced them. The poor child
always comforted herself with the
thought that her present mental posi-
tion was only temporary; she only
assumed IL until she could find some
other way TO make living. Mrs. Jones
was very sweet and kind. kinder than
any one she had lived with during the
year. She really had something to be
thankful for.
Feeling that she must not indulge in
repining on such day, Polly summoned
her brightest thoughts. and even dim
pie or two peeped out rs she thought of
that happy morning over the pies, and
OF her absurd mistake year ago.
suppose he and Melissa are mar
ried long since. Oh! If l could only
hear him speak once morem
The morning slipped away, and Polly
was surprised when she heard them
coming home from church.
Again she was making pumpkin pies.
Mrs. Jones had said: "0hl do you
make good old fashioned pumpkin piesP
Mr.. Jones thinks there is nothing more
delicious, and know he would like TO
have some"
So now the new cook stood beside the
table with her curls tucked under \
somewhat coquettish little cap. 4 long.
demure apron on, and her sleeves rolled
up. Presently she heard steps and
laughing voices in the passage, the door
opened, and she looked up surprised,
with her sitter in her hands. Mrs.
Jones was holding her long velvet skirt
around her and saving. "Tom IL eucI