The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-01-27


ing her IN some domestic work, such a
house cleaning, dressmaking and tn
like, the maiden lady had managed t,
ply her other vocation, that of news
gatherer, at one and the same tim,
pretty effectually.
She always called her by her frs
name, though Betty inwardly resented
it, and she made great handle of he
friendship on every occasion, maxim:
John rage violently, and VOW a thous
and times that the ''old maid" should
walk
But she never had-and now, scent
ing dimly, like carton after its prey,
that trouble might come to the pretty
little white house, the make-mischiet
had come to do her work, if devasta
ton had really commenced.
Been crying?" she said, more plain,
" than politely, and sinking down into
the pretty chintz-covered rocking chair
with an energy that showed she meant
to stay, and made the chair creak fear
fully. "Only folks do say that you and
your husband don't live hapily-but la
l wouldn't mind-I know faint your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had it
come to this ? John and she not live
happily? To be sure they didn't as she
remembered with a pang the dreadful
scene of words and hot temper, but had
it gotten around so soon-a story in
every body's mouth?
With all her distress of mind she was
saved from opening her mouth. So
Miss Simmons, failing in that, was
forced to 60 on.
can l tell folks So" she said, rock
ing herself back and forth to witness
the effect of her words ''when they
git to talkin' so you can't blame me if
things don't go easy for you, I'm sure"
"'You tell folks so ?" repeated Betty
vaguely and standing quite still.
What? don't understand.
"Why, that the blame is all his'n,
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. Il
say, says l, why there couldn't no one
live with him, let alone that pretty wife
he's got. That's what [ say, Betty
And then tell 'em what queer man
he is, how cross, an"
"And you dare to tell people such
things of my husband?" cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her extreme
height, and towering over the old wo-
man in the chair, that as she jumped |
in confusion at the storm she had raised, |
and stared blindly in the blazing eyes |
and face rosy with righteous indigna-
ton, her only thought was how to get |
away from the storm she had raised,
but could not stop. But she was forced to
stay, for Betty stood just in front of the
chair md Hoo lyo1 ho 10 |
skunk back into the smallest corner Of
it as best she could "My hushandw
cried Betty, dwelling with pride on the
pronoun-at least, if they were to part,
she would say it over lovingly as much
as she could till the last moment; and
then, when the time did come, why peo-
pie should know that it wasn't Johns
fault-'the best, the tenderest, the no.
blest husband that was ever given to
woman. I've made him more trouble
than you can guess my hot temper has
vexed him, I've been cross, impatient,
and"
"Hold!" cried a voice; "you are ;
talking against my wife !" and in a mo-
ment big John Peabody rushed {
through the door, grasped the little wo-
man in his arms; and folded her to his I
heart, right before old maid and all
ooh" said Mrs. Simmons, sitting up {
straight, and setting her spectacles more
firmly.
"And now you have learned all that {
you can," said John, turning round to {
her; still holding Betty, "why-you {
may go!
The chair was vacant. A dissolving {
view through the door was all that was {
to be seen of the gossip, who started up t
the road hurriedly, leaving peace be- {
hind. '
Betty" said John, some half hour f
"what was the sigh for t
don't care now, but ! did think, dear, Q
and it cut me to the heart, how you
might have married richer. ] longed t
to put ten times ten into your hand, I
Betty, and is CALLED me because couldn't" +
Betty smiled and twisted away from g
his grasp. Running into the bedroom, :
she presently returned still smiling o
with bundle rolled up in clean towel. 0
This she put on her husbands knee,
who stared at her wonderingly. h
II didn't mean," she said, unpinning t
he bundle, ''to let any one know, but | Il
shall have to. Why, John, day after s.
tomorrow is your birthday !" o
$50 It's I" said John. "Gracious P
has it come round so soon?"
"And you, dear boy" said Betty,
shaking out before his eyes a pretty
brown affair, all edged with silk of the j
oluest shade, that presently assumed
he proportions of a dressing gown,
this is to be your present. But you :,
must be dreadful1y surprised, John, +,
when you get it, for oh | didn't want !,
you to know p
John made the answer he thought Y
pest. When he spoke again, he said, q
while small quicker of b
1ewilderment settled between his eyes
But l don't see, Betty, what this \
hing" laying one finger on the gown, +;
had to do with the sigh" !;
THAT, said Betty, and then she
,roke into merry laugh, that got so !,
mixed up with the dimples, and the !,
Iancing brown eyes, that for the mo-
nent she couldn't finish. s'Oh, John, =,
was worrying so over those buttons =
hey weren't good enough, but they :
we're the best l could do then. And I'd =
My bought 'em yesterday-two whole =;
oxen. And when you put than ten T.
ollar bill in my hand, 1 didn't hardly >
now 1t, but L suppose did give one At
title bit of sigh, for l was provoked q
hat / hadn't waited buying them till =
o-day"
John caught up the little woman, u
ressing-gown and all +! don't think ="
hey have ever quarreled again-at 70
East / have never heard of it. \.
-.
Women in Journalism. III