The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-03-10
A PECULIAR Woman,

"Ketch hold, Tom. There Ideclare
if you amt spilled about q quart I
knew you would get it too full"
81 didn't spill more than ten drops,
Cousin Silence. How you worry over
the loss of little grease"
cts one of my principles to save, as
you might o. learned long ago."
81 believe in prudence; but what's q
few drops of lard more or less on this
farm, and nobody knows how much in
bank? You skimp 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.
Eyes; I was always noted for my
frankness," said Tom, coolly. "nnd !
never hesitate to speak my mind when
duty urges. However, I don't want to
hurt your feelings, Cousin Silence"
"No danger" said Miss Silence, with
q 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 me Perhaps
you don't reeollect the whippin's 1 used
to give you"
"I haven't forgotten, laughed Tom.
=" You used to make me do my duty in
those days. But wish T could convince
you that it would be only Christian act
for you to send a little help to Mrs. Bald
win. You wouldn't feel the spending of
$50 out of your $50, O,O0O."
"Massy sakes It seems as if other
folks know more about my business than
[ do myself. Fifty thousand Law
Who said was worth that much ?"
ooh, 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 ~
II calculate to take care of myself"
said Tom, fitting the chair against the
wall. "Leaye 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 it's fall. There's plenty of
things can leave my money to ; it won't
go begging"
guess not"
You'd more'n guess if you were to
live here 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-
eemy; Squire Darby has his mind on it
for a public library, and the minister
thinks l ought to remember what q
debts on the church. To hear 'em talk
you'd think had one foot in the grave.
I don't give none O. 'em any satisfaction
and then they say I'm peculiar. Well
perhaps 1 am but don't see no nossi,
bjlity of any change in my natur,.'
Tom laughed. He was spending n
couple of hours at the farm, which Rad
been his only home until he began tn
scratch for himself" to use his gaunt
cousins expression. Now he never loft
more than day or two pass without
looking in on the lone spinster to see If
he could give her any help, and TODAY
ho was making himself useful in lifting
jars and boilers of hot grease on and off
the stove, for Miss Silence was trying
out lard.
Toms law practice, as yet, was not
very exacting, much to his regret and
he had more time on his hands than
pleased him.
"But, now, do promise you'll send
Mrs. Baldwin something for Christmas,
Cousin Silence" said Tom, returning to
the attack. ...'' ...0
IL 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
in 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 If began to help all the poor folk
you know. 1t pears to me you take q
mighty deep interest in them Baldwins,
Tom. Melissa Bonney let out hint
that you was a sparkin' that Prissy Car
roll" s.... 49,.
I wish Melissa Bonney would mind
her own business"
"Don't get riled. / dare say it's true.
'Twould be like you to court O gal with
out penny, because you've not pen
ny yourself. Prissy CAROLS been raised
out Of charity by her aunt" ....-0".