The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1881-03-11
A PECULIAR WOMAN.

Keteh hold, Tom. There declare
if you amt spilled about quart I
knew you would get it too full. "
=" ] didn't spill more than ten drops,
Cousin Silence. How you worry over
the loss Of little grease.
"Its one Of my principles to save, as
you might d 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 il
bank? You sldmp and screw as if you
think there were danger Of your getting
on the town"
"Well, you are the frankest young
man / ever saw" and Silence Withers
put her arms akimbo and gazed at her
young cousin, Tom Lowey, as if he
was curiosity escaped from some mu-
scum.
Yes; was always noted for my
frankness," said Tom, coolly, "and l
never hesitate to speak my mind when
duty urges. However, don't want to
hurt your feelings, Cousin Silence"
"No danger" " said Miss Silence, with
laugh Of derision. "I am no spring
chicken, an my feelin's have grown
tough. But the idea Of your duty urgin'
YOU to speak your mind to mel Perhaps
you don't recollect the whippin's | used
to give you.
II haven't forgotten, laughed Tom.
g You used to make me do my duty in
those days. But | wish could convince
you that it would be only Christian act
for YOU to send little help to Mrs. Bald
win. You wouldn't feel the spending Of
$50 out Of your $50, 900.
" Massey sakes 1t seems as if other
| folks know more about my business than
/ do myself. Fifty thousand Law
/ Who said l was worth that much 2"
"Oh, it's common talk, Z replied Tom.
"Well, it won't do You any good to
talk. You'll never see the color Of my
money after Tn 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 r
IT calculate to take care Of myself, :"
said Tom, fitting the chair against the
wall. "Leave your money wherever
you choose don't want 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 you when your
pride has its fall. There's plenty Of
things can leave my money to; IT won't
go begging.
"I guess not.
you'd more'n guess if you were to
! live here a spell and see the stream Of
visitors have. There amt 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 a public library, and the minister
thinks / ought to remember what 9
debts on the church. To hear, EN- talf
you'd think had one foot in the grave
[ don't give none o. 'em 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'. T"
Tom laughed. He was spending
couple Of hours at the farm, which hat
been his only home until he began d
, " scratch for himself, to use his gaun
cousins expression. Now he never lef
more than q day or two pass withou
looking in on the lone spinster to see
he could give her any help, and to-da
he was making himself useful III hftin
lars and boilers Of hot grease on and o
the stove, for Miss Silence was tryin
out lard.
Toms law practice, as yet, was ne
very exacting, much to his regret an
he had more time on his hands Una
pleased him. :,
, "But, now, do promise you'll sen
Mrs. Baldwin something for Christina
Cousin Silence" said Tom, returning
''-'' = / 'iitti never promise what don't mes
| TO perform, was the characteristic a
swer he received to his pleading "Ma
tina Baldwin and me amt been on spea
I in terms for these five years, and I'd
: maxim myself pretty small to send b
Christmas presents. I'd soon be on Il
!. town If I began to help all the poor TO
d YOU know. 1t pears to me you take
: mighty deep interest in them BALDWIN
y Tom. Melissa Bonney let out a hi
It that you was a sparEin' that Prissy oa
= roll" :.
= "I wish Melissa Bonney would NH
!, her own business"
e "Don't get riled. l dare say it's trr
= 'Twonld be like you TO court gal wit
e out penny, because you've not pc
3 ny yourself. Prissy Carroll's been rails
out Of charity by her aunt.