The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17
4 PECULIAR WOMAN,


II didn't spill more than ten drops,
Cousin Silence. How you worry over
the loss Of little grease.
It's one Of my principles to save, as
you might a. learned long ago."
/ believe in prudence; but what's a
few drops Of lard more or less on this
farm, and nobody knows how much in
bank? You skimp and screw as il you
think there were danger Of your getting
on the town."
well, yon are the frankest young
man / ever saw" and Silence Withera
put her arms akimbo and gaxed ut her
young cousin, Tom Lowcy, as II he
was curiosity escaped from some mu.
scum.
EYES; I was always noted for my
frankness," said Tom, coolly, "and /
never hesitate to speak my mind when
duty urges. However, / don't want to
hurt your feelings, Cousin Silence"
mo danger, said Miss Silence, with
. laugh Of derision. II am no spring
chicken, an my feelinis have grown
tough. But the idea Of your duty nrgin'
you to speak your mind to me! Perhaps
you don't recollect the whippin's used
to give YOU"
Il haven't forgotten" laughed Tom.
= You used to make me do my duty in
those DAYS. But I wish could convince
you that it would be only Christian net
for You to send little help to Mrs. Bald
win. Yon wouldn't feel the spending Of
$50 ont Of your $50, O00.'
Massey sakes! 1t seems as il other
folks know more about my business than
do myself. Fifty thousand! Law |!
Who sand I was worth that much?"
"Oh, it's common talk, }" replied Tom.
well, it won't do you any good to
talk. You'll never see the color OF my
money after I'm dead and gone. I've
made my will and. since plain speak
in pleases you. I'll make free to
say you amt mentioned in it. So,
there |"
''I calculate to take care Of myself"
said Tom. fitting the chair against the
wall. "Leaye your money wherever
You choose don't wan. it.
The day may come when you will
want it, Tom Lowey, and then you'll be
sorry for sayin' them words. I'll re-
member 'em; SO will yon when your
pride has its fall. There's plenty IF
things can leave my money to; it won't
60 begging"
II guess not"
YOU'D more'n guess il you were to
live here . spell and see the stream Of
visitors / have. There ain't o day but
get nagged about my money by some-
body. Deacon Bonney thinks it's his
bounden duty to advise me to leave it to
found an orphans home. Old Mr..
Craig wants it left to Wolfboro Acad-
envy; Squire Darby has his mind on il
for public library, and the minister
thinks / ought to remember what .
debts ON she church. To hear 'em talk
you'd think had one foot in the grave.
/ don't give none o EN- any satisfaction,
and then they say I'm peculiar. Well,
perhaps am; but / don't see no posi-
bility Of any change in my natur'."
Tom laughed. He was spending .
couple of hours ct the farm, which had
been his only home until he began to
scratch for himself" to use his gaunt
cousins expression. Now he never left
more than day or two pass without
looking in on the lone spinster to see if
he could give her any help, and to-day
he was making himself useful in lifting
jars and boilers Of hot grease on and Oh
the stove, for Miss Silence was trying
out lard.
II never promise what l don't mean
to perform" was the characteristic an.
swer he received to his pleading. "Mar-
tina Baldwin and me amt been on speak
iu' terms for these five years, and I'd be
maxim myself pretty small to send her
Christmas presents. I'd soon be on the
town il ! began to help all the poor folk
yon know. 1t pears to me you take q
mighty deep interest in them Baldw ms,
Tom. Melissa Bonney let ont q hint
that you was sparkin' that Prissy Car
roll"
II wish Melissa Bonney would mind
her own business"
Don't get riled. dare say it's true.
Twonld be like YOU to court gal with.
out penny, because you've not pen
ny yourself. Prissy Carroll's been raised
out Of charity by her aunt"
THAT don't make her less lovable,
Cousin Silence"
Now, Tom Lowey," said Miss ST..
lence. brandishing the big iron spoon
with which she stirred the lard. "aon't
make fool of yourself over q pretty
face. Butter your bread before you eat
It. There's Melissa Bonney, whose
fathers worth"
"That's enough" interrupted Tom,
and, before Miss Silence could stop him.
lie was out Of the kitchen door and
walked briSkly down to the gate.
Law sakes what peculiar creatures
men are Talk Of bein' peculiar; why,
amt circumstance to that Tom
Lowey. He'll marry that Prissy Car
roll now. II it's only TO show me he
didn't care Tor my money!" Aud.
with sigh, Miss Silence went back to
her lard.
"Christmas gift, indeed!' = she NUT
tered, inter standing for some time in
deep thought; ~ think / see myself
eating humble pie to Martha Baldwin.
But, somehow or other, her conscience
did not feel quite so easy ~ it had felt
before Toms call.
An hour later Tom was sitting in the
Widow Baldwin's small parlor. with his
arm around very trim waist, and very
lovely golden head resting on his
shoulder. 1t was very evident that the
closest economy was necessary with the
Baldwins, for the carpet was patched
and worn, and the muslin curtains
washed thrcadbare. and the furniture
IN sad need Of yarnish and new hair.
cloth.
II wish ! saw my way clear to take
yon out Of this, Prissy,. said Tom, with
sigh. but clients are scarce enough
in Wolf boro."
Now, Tom, where's the need "a
worry ! couldn't leave Aunt Martha,
anyway. We are both young enough "a
you're too good for this world.
Prissy," said Tom, with . kiss on the
dimpled white chin.
There's some one knocking: let me
50. cried Prissy, springing up and run
ming 10 the door.
It was no visitor, but the hired mar
from Miss Silence's farm, with the spring
wagon, which he had brought to convey
Tom to his cousins home, for Miss 81
lence had, not ten minutes after his de
partnre. an hour previous, overturned {
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