The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-02-17
4 PECULIAR WOMAN.

if you amt spilled about q quart I
knew you would get it too full"
at didn't spill more than ten drops,
Cousin Silence. How you worry over
the loss of a little grease"
cts one of my principles to save, as
you might a. learned long ago."
"I believe in prudence; but what's O
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 we're 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 a curiosity escaped from some mu-
scum.
eyes; I was always noted for my
frankness," said Tom, coolly, "and L
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
a laugh of derision. at 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 I used
to give you"
"I haven't forgotten" laughed Tom.
"You used to make me do my duty in
those days. Butt wish I could convince
you that it would be onlya Christian act
for you to send q little help to Mrs. Bald
win. You wouldn't feel the spending of
$50 out OF your $50, O0O."
"Massy sakes It seems as if other
folks know more about my business than
I do myself. Fifty thousandl Law
Who said I was worth that much?"
"Oh, 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 ]"
at calculate to take care of myself"
said Tom, fitting the chair against the
wall. "Leave your money wherever
you choose I 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 viii you when your
pride has its fall. There's. plenty of
things can leave my money to; it won't
go begging"
SET guess not"
.You'd more'n guess if you were to
live here a spell and see the stream of
visitors I have. There amt q day but L
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 Nj.
Craig wants It left to Wolfboro Acad-
envy; Squire Darby has his mind on it
for a public library, and the minister
thinks I ought to remember what q
debts ON the church. To hear 'em talk
you'd think I had one foot in the grave.
I don't give none Dem any satisfaction,
and then they say I'm peculiar. Well,
perhaps I am (; but 1 don't see no posi-
bility of any change in my natur'."
Tom laughed. He was spending q
couple of hours at the farm, which had
been his only home until he began to
" scratch for himself" to use his gaunt
cousins expression. Now he never left
more than a day or two pass without
he could give her any help, and to-day
he wa making himself useful In lifting
jars and boilers of hoS grease on and of
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.
81 never promise what I don't mean
to perform" was the characteristics an.
swer he received to his pleading. omar
tina Baldwin and me amt been on speak.
in terms for these five years, and I'd be
maxim myself pretty small to send hel
Christmas presents. I'd Dol be on the
town if began to help all the poor folk
you know. It pears to me you take q
mighty deep interest in them Baldwins,
Tom. Melissa Bonney let out a hint
that you wal a sparkin' that Prissy Car.
roll"
at wish Melissa Bonney would mind
her own business"
"Don't get riled. I dare say it's true.
'Twould be like you to court q gal with
ouJ a penny, because you've mol q pen
ny yourself. Prissy CAROLS been raised
out of charity by her aunt"
"That don't make her less lovable
Cousin Silence"
"Now, Tom Lowey," said Miss 81
lence, brandishing the big iron spoo1
with which she stirred the lard, "don'
make a fool of yourself over a prett,
face. Butter your bread before you ca
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 ant
walked briskly down to the gate.
claw sakes what peculiar creatures
men are! Talk Of bein' peculiar ; why
I amt a circumstance to that Ton
Lowey. He'll marry that Prissy Car
roll now, If It's only to SHOW me hi
didn't car for my money" And
with a sigh, Miss Silence went back tx
her lard.
"Christmas gift, indeed !" she NUT
tered, after standing for some time II
deep thought "I think I see mysel
eating humble pie to Martha Baldwin.
But, somehow or other, her conscience
did not feel quite so easy as it had tel
before Toms call.
An hour later Tom was sitting in tn
Widow Baldwin's small parlor. with hi
arm around q very trim waist, and a yer.
lovely golden head resting on hi
shoulder. 1t was very evident that tn
closest economy was necessary with tn
Baldwins, for the carpet was patches
and worn, and the muslin curtain
washed threadbare. and the furnitur
IN sad need OF varnish and new hair
cloth.
"I wish I saw my way clear to talk
you out of this, Prissy," said Tom, witt
a sigh, "but clients are scarce enough
in Wolfboro."
CHOW, Tom, where's the need +
worry? I couldn't leave Aunt Martha
anyway. We are both young enough t
wait"
"You're too good for this world
Prissy," said Tom, with a kiss on tn
dimpled white chin.
"There's some one knocking ; let m
CO." cried Prissy, springing up and run
ming to the door.