Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-06-29


"Ask her to tea ! repeated haf-a-dozen
astonished listeners.
eyes; none of you tried that, I be-
heve," answered Miss Keziah.
"She won't come" said Mrs. Bliss.
"Perhaps not; but all the same it won't
do no harm to ask her."
81 hope you'll try to soften her heart,
and bring her to the prayer-meetin'
Thursday night" said Miss Cowan.
Miss Keziah made no answer; but
peculiar look crossed her homely, good
natured face-a look Miss Paulina did
not quite understand.
sMiss Keziah'll be wise to make no
promises" said Mrs. Bliss. I" 1t stands
to reason that she won't succeed where
all the rest of us have failed. One
might as well talk to stone as to Mrs.
Denton" -f #..
Miss Keziah sighed, and bent her eyes
upon her work. She had known what
suffering was once, and she knew that
while sorrow and pain softens some ma
lures, it hardens and embitters others.
Mrs. Denton lived entirely alone on
the outskirts of the village, in a little,
old, weather-beaten house she had bought
when she FIRST came to Brierville, ten
years before. Weeds grew tall and rank
In the yard, the sunken steps leading to
the door were half buried in vines, the
well-curb was broken, the gate fallen to
the ground, in fact, everything about
the house spoke of ruin and decay.
"Not very cheerful place, certain
ly," muttered Miss Keziah, as the day
following the meeting of the sewing cir
Gle, she drove up to the Widow Denton's,
and hitched her horse to the tumble
down fence which partially enclosed the
yard. "Now, Hetty, you sit right still
till [ come back, and don't start old
Mol."
Hetty was diminutive niece of Miss
Keziah's, a golden-haired, blue-eyed
child of six years of age, who had been
left to her aunt as the sole legacy of an
only sister.
Miss Keziah walked up the grass
grown path, and knocked boldly on Mrs.
Denton's door.
Before her knuckles had fairly left it,
| the door was flung open by Mrs. Denton
herself, who stood silently regarding her
visitor, with an expression of resentment
and indignation.
Chow dye do, Miss Denton? I'm
Miss Keziah Fletcher Perhaps you've
heard of me before. Twas at Helmstone
considerable spell, an since got back
I've been laid by with the rheumatis' =,
or I'd have called before. I've come to
see if you'd take tea at my house to-
night I'll make you comfortable, an
it'll be sort O change to you"
Mrs. Denton made no reply. She
stood staring at her visitor as If she had
not heard her words. Then her eyes
wandered to the gate, and fell at last
upon the spring wagon and it's small oc
cupant, whose golden curls were escap-
ing from the close calico sunsbonnet
which sheltered her pretty face from the
MONDAY sun.
els that your child ?" she asked, alb
ruptly, but without taking her gaze from
Hetty. There was a hungry, yearning
look IN her eyes as she spoke, a tremor in
her voice.
Gland sakes No indeedl'' calculated
Miss Keziah, with virtuous horror in
her tone. & never was married The
only man I ever cared straw for was
drowned at sea, and those that cared for
me were mostly mercenary in their
views. Hetty's my sister James child.
Jane she died at Helmstone some six
months back. Come, won't you Jump
III the wagon and go with me? didn't
allow to be disapp tinted in havin' you
come to tea, and so I made all ready for
you"
eyes, I'll come" said Mrs. Denton,
Withdrawing her gaze from Hetty, who
was grasping the reins with ludicrous
earnestness, as if the steadiness of old
Mol depended entirely on her.
She went into the house and put on an
old-fashioned straw-bonnet and faded
black merino shawl. Then he walked
down the path and clambered into the
wagon after Miss KeZiah without utterine
single word.
'You forgot to lock your door," said
the careful spinster, as she took the
reins from Hetty's hands.
bitter smile curled on Mrs. Den
toms lip.
6 I never lock it, " she said; "there is
nothing in the house worth stealing"
The two women logged along the quiet
country road, with the child between
them, Miss Keziah talking on different
subjects in her kind, sensible, whole
hearted way. She did not allude to her
visitors sorrows, nor did she mention
the visits paid to the lonely cottage by
other members Of the sewing circle.
A man took the horse when they
reached Miss Keziah's farm, which was
mile from the centre of the town, and
one of the finest in the country. It was
well cultivated, well stocked with fruit
of various kinds, and it's buildings were
all comfortable and roomy, the house it.
self being built of stone, in substantial,
old-fashioned manner.
Miss Keziah led the way into her sit
ting-room, and helped her visitor take
off her bonnet and shawl.
Have this easy chair, Miss Denton"
she said with great cordiality, 'and
make yourself to home. I've got to see
to supper, but guess Hetty kin amuse
you a spell. Hetty, mind you're good
while I'm gone"
She left the room and was absent near
10 ho1e ON Vyho,, oh