Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-13
NANCY HILL.
CHAPTER |.

The night set in dark and chill. All
day long 4 fine, frosty sieet had fallen.
which as the wind rose in heightened
gusts, changed to fast-ialling snow
fakes.
All day the note OF preparation had
sounded in Abraham Plum's kitchen;
for it was the day before Christmas.
Mrs. Plum showed the last quartet of
pies into the oven, shut the door with a
clang, and began Ia clear away the sup
per table. She was a short, fat woman
yet she was brisk in her movements
this evening, and as she swept into the
pantry laden with blue-edged plates and
teacups, an air Of pride was visible. She
and to count. for the twentieth time, the
row of pies on the shelf before the win
dow
Three plum, two gooseberry, four
blackberry, eight apple, fifteen mince,
and a great platter of cranberry tarts!n
Mr.. Plum came in also, an admiring
expression gradually stealing over his
face, Il vow ii you haven't got a
show! Why, you haven't counted them
in the oven!'
80 didntw calculated his wife
"Them are mince. They always go off
faster'n any other" She broke off
bit of burnt crus; as big as cent very
carefully.
Come, mother, you've looked at 'em
enough for one day. You've got all day
and tomorrow, too, to see 'em in"
mo l hain't," broke in his wife.
Dear me! what n sights to be done to-
morrow. | hope Sarah'l come over
early t'help. Irather looked Tor Nancy
to-day
Her husband drew n chair TO the stove
and seated hitrself. I'D gone after
her." said he, "only knew Sam was
just cross-grained enough not TO let her
come If did. She's got 10 take him in
the right mood, you know"
Mrs. Plum sighed and sat down to
rest. This Nancy of whom they spoke
was the youngest of her flock, not five
years = wife. She was also unhappy in
her marriage-which accounted fer her
mothers sigh.
Samuel Hill had been gay youth.
and 3 handsome one. Courted by all
the girls Of the village, he turned from
their too evident homage TO little Nancy
Plum, the most serious-minded damsel
of all. He called her tenderly 1.-THE
little psalm-singer." She, in her turn,
was fisttered by his preference, and she
yielded mp her heart to his keeping, IN
spite OF parental objections. 1t proved
10 be an act OF folly on her part; he was
q careless keeper. More than that, he
was at times unkind. Her parents read
the eloquent signs of misery in her face
at every visit. but she never complained
of him. Something in her looks forbade
direct inquiry-a look as II she had de-
Hberately counted the cost Of existence
and nerved herself 20 endure it. How
many times.she inwardly wished her
self girl again at home was known
only to herself. They had not been
married two years before he drank
openly instead OF in secret. Whole days
were passed away from her--wherep
She knew-and cried over the know
ledge.
Mr. Plum looked thoughtfully at the
stove. He's poor worthless coot,
that's fact. used t'tell Nelly that
she'd sup sorrow If she'd marry him.
but she would have her own way"
''Lawi It don't do no good after the
things done t'say I told you so.'" The
expression Of excited anticipation had
faded from Mrs. Plum's face; she put
her feet on the stone hearth and rested
her elbows on her knees as she mused
aloud. Its all luck an by chance
business anyway. Cause some OCCASION
ally git cheated. { don't follow that
they're tblame. None of us are very
sharp-sighted in such matters. warnt.
shet my eyes and said Yes knowein'
no more'n the man In the moon whether
should repent or not"
"Well, have youF" asked her bus.
band. archly.