The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-03-10
=, "That don't make her less lovable,

"Now, Tom Lowey," said Miss ST.
lence, brandishing the big iron spoon
with which she stirred the lard, "don't
make q, fool of yourself over pretty
race. 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.
he was out of the kitchen door and
walked briskly down to the gate.
Law sales what peculiar creatures
men are Talk of bein' peculiar why,
! amt circumstance to that Tom
L9wey. He'll marry that Prissy Car
roli now, II it's only to show me he
| didn't care for my money" And
with sigh, Miss Silence went back to
her lard.
=" Christmas gift, indeed p she NUT
tered, after standing for some time in
deep thought; CT think I see myself
eating humble pie to Martha Baldwin"
But somehow or other, her conscience
| did not feel quite So easy as 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 tho carpet was patched
washed threadbare, and the furniture
In sad need OF varn1sn and new halr-
| cloth.
4" wish I saw my way clear to take
you out of this, Prissy," said Tom, with
sigh, "but clients are scarce enough
in Wolfboro
"Now, Tom, where's the need to
worry? L couldn't leave Aunt Martha,
anyway. We are both young enough to
wait"
"You're too good for this world,
Prissy," said Tom, with a kiss on the
dimpled white chin.
"There's some one knocking; let me
CO." cried Prissy, springing up and run
ming to the door.
1t was no visitor, but the hired man
from Miss Silence's farm, with the spring
wagon, which he had brought to convey
Tom to his cousins home, for Miss ST.
lence had, not ten minutes after his de-
parture. an hour previous. overturned q
Kettle OF lard by accident, and been ter
ribly scalded.
"Where's my hat? cried Tom, in
| telling how he had wasted time by GO
Ing to the office first, and, not finding
him there, had hunted him up.
Let me go with you, Tom I know
[ can help" cried Prissy, as her lover
was springing into the light wagon.
On, Prisssy, if you only would"
"Wait until I get my bonnet and
shawl and tell Aunt Martha. [ won't
be gone minute" and Prissy rushed
into the kitchen, where her aunt was
ironing.
eco, by all MEANS" said Mrs. Bald
win, when she had grasped the meaning
of the girls incoherent explanation.
Stay as long as you are needed, and
don't worry about me-"
Miss Silence made no remark when
Prissy entered her room with Tom. She
was in great pain, and was thankful to
see even this member Of the hated Bald
win family.
For three weeks Prissy was chief di-
rector at the farm, and managed so clev-
erly that Miss Silence had no chance to
find fault. But the grim spinster had no
word Of commentator for the young
| girls untiring industry.
81 calkerlate to pay you for what you
have done," she said one day, as she
watched Prissy making bread. "You
needn't think you're worlin' for moth
in'.'
"I don't want any pay, Miss Silence"
said Prissy, with trembling lips; "I um
only too glad to do what [ can, be-
cause" She hesitated and turned
scarlet.
Because you're in love with Tom,"
finished Miss Silence. ooh, you needn't
blush; I know all about it, and, if he
chooses to break his head agin a stone
wall, [ amt a-goin' to stop him."
At the end of three weeks Miss Silence
was able to be about again, and Prissy
went home, declining the 800 bill for
her services. But she had not been
gono three hours when the hired man
came from the farm, with two large
baskets, which he sat down on Mrs
Baldwin's kitchen floor.
Compliments of Miss Silence, and
she sent these in place Of the money!"
and was driving off in the spring wagon
before Prissy could recover sufficiently
from her astonishment to ask him any
| questions.
The baskets were full of good things
OF every sort, and tn was a royal
Christmas dinner for the Baldwins the
next day, much to the joy of the chill.
dren, who had contemplated, ruefully,
dining on mush and potatoes.
Pr1ssy sent note OF thanks to Miss
Silence by Tom, but she never received
an answer.
Time moved on, and Toms law bust
ness improved go much that he persua-
ded Prissy, against her better Judgment.
to marry him.
Miss Silence did not grace the impor-
tant occasion with her presence.
I've no time to be gallivanting off to
| weddings" was her excuse, when Tom
reproached her for this slight.
J "She Is such q peculiar woman, we