Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-06-29
From the Standard
HER STONY HEART.

1t was on the occasion of meeting of
the sewing circle, which was held that
week at Miss Keziah Fletcher's, that the
fruitful subject of Mrs. Denton's pecu-
iarities was brought up for the fortieth
time. All the members, with the excep-
ton of the ministers wife, were present,
and every one of them had something to
say of the poor woman whose strange
ways had caused her to become quite a
curiosity in Brierville.
cts my opinion people are best left
Alone" said Mrs. Prudence Randall, as
she bit off her thread little spitefuny.
"She's been disgrace to the town
Paulina Cowan. 81 must confess that
[ haven't any patience with such queer
ways
"Poor thing she's seen sight of
trouble" said Miss Keziah, who was
ever ready to pour oil on the troubled
waters. "First her husband died of
delirum tremens-'
"Worthless sot she'd oughter have
been pleased to death ter get rid O. him."
interrupted Miss Matte Baker, throwing
her scissors on the table near her with
considerable noise. "You won't get no
pity for her out O. that, Miss Keziah."
Then she lost her two little girls
with scarlet fever" continued Miss
Keziah, unheeding the interruption,
and only year later her second boy
died of the typhoid. She'd only one boy
left, and that was her oldest boy. She
set SO much store by himl [ remember
seem her look at him onct as if she
worshipped the very ground he trod on,
and"
"That's it." interrupted Mrs. Bliss,
whose husband was one of the "pillars"
of the Methodist Church "She thought
more of him than she did of her saliva
ton, and he was taken from her that her
hard heart might be softened."
But it seems harder than ever" said
Mrs. Randall. sShe won't listen to
words of comfort, nor anything else.
No one can make any impression on her.
Miss Cowan here went to her and told
her that were all born under the rod
which chasteneth, and that her Edgar'd
been called from the evil to come.
What dye think Miss Denton did? She
rose up In fury, and told Paulina she
preferred to be left alone"
eyes" giggled Miss Cowan, hyster-
lcally. "She'd rather have my room
than my company any day. Howsome-
ever, don't bear her no hard feelings.
I done what could for her."
'The minister's wife didn't get no
better treatment" said Miss Baker.
<sShe sat IN Miss Denton's shanty most
an hour talkin' of the mysterious ways
of Providence, and everything bein' for
our good, an ali flesh being grass and
80 on. An Miss Denton she never
spoke a word from first to last. but Law
on the sofy an shet her eyes, an never
even said goodbye when Mrs. Bounce
went away. Such impertince! An I
went there, too. I didn't want to be be-
hind the rest in doing my duty. I told
her about these Affections being sent for
our good; an she must bow her neck to
the yoke an bend her back to the bur-
den. She laughed at me! yes, she done
Just that"
"She wouldt even see me, said Mrs.
Peckham, a tall, sharp-featured woman
with shrill voice. ''I saw her at the
window, but she wouldn't open the door,
no matter how loud I knocked. But I
scattered tracts all down the front walk,
and hope they did her goed.
h1oo heAidu, yOu ALL u Uotu, Uo-
heve, said Miss Baker. Well, don't go;
it's time wasted. Her hearts as hard as
a stun"
mo" said Miss Keziah, laying down
her work as sue spoke, Sc haven't been
to see her. You know I was away to
Helmstone when her Edgar had the
fever, and since I've been back my rheu-
matiz has been that badI couldn't go any
where. But now I'm trife better I'll
take my turn"
"What is the use? What can you do :?
Haven't we done everything ?" chorused
the other ladies'.