Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-07-07
Select Story.
HER STONY HEART

1t was on the occasion of meeting
of the sewing circle, which was held
that week at Miss Kezlah Fletcher's
that the fruitful subject of Mrs. Den,
tons peculiarities was brought up fol
about the fortieth time. All the mem
bers, with the exception of the minis.
ter's wife, were present, and every one
had something to say of the poor wo-
man whose strange ways had caused
her to become quite curiosity IN Bri-
erville.
Its my opinion such people are best
left alone said Mrs. Prudence Ran
dali, as she tlt off her thread little
spitefully.
She's been a disgrace to the town
ever since she lived in it., said Miss
Pauline Cowan. i must confess that
haven't any patience with such queer
ways
Poor thing! she has seen sight Of
trouble, said Miss Keziah. who was ev-
er ready to pour oil on the troubled
waters. First her husband died OF
delirium tremens--'
Worthless soul, she oughter to have
been pleased to death to get rid o him,
interrupted Miss Matte Baker, throw
ing her scissors on the table near her
with considerable of noise you won't
get no pity for her out o that, Miss
Keziah.'
'Then she lost her two little girls
with scarlet fever continued Miss Ke-
zlah, unheeding the interruption, and
only year later her second boy died
Of the typhoid. She'd only one child
left then, and that was her oldest boy.
She set so much store by him! | re-
member seein' her look at him once as
if she worshipped the very ground he
trod on, and
That's it, interrupted Mrs. Bliss,
whose husband was one of the pillars
in the Methodist church. 'She thought
more of him than she did of her saliva
tion, and he was taken from her that her
hard heart might be softened.'
But it seems harder than ever said
Miss Randall. She won't listen to
words of comfort, nor anything else.
No one can make any impression on
her. Miss Cowan here went to her and
told her how we were all born to pass
under the rod which chasteneth, and
that her Edgar'd been called from the
evil to come. What dye think Mrs.
Denton did? She rose up like a fury
and told Pauline she preferred to be
left alone
Yes giggled Miss Cowan, hysteri-
cally. She'd rather have my room
than my company, any day. Howsom-
ever, don't bear her no hard feelings.
I done what l could for her.
The minister's wife didn't get no
better treatment said Miss Baker.
She sat in Mrs. Denton's shanty most
an hour talking of the mysterious ways
of Providence, and everything being
for our good, and all flesh being grass,
and SO on. And Mrs Dayton, she new
er spoke word from first to last, but
lay on the lounge with her eyes shut,
and never even said goodbye when
Mrs. Bounce went away. Such i'm
pertlnence! And | went there too.
didn't want to be behind the rest of
the folks in doing my duty. I told
her about these Affections being sent
for our good; and she must bow her
neck to the yoke and bend her back to
the burden. She laughed at me! yes,
she done just that
She wouldn't even see me- said
Miss Peckham, tall, sharp featured
woman with shrill voice. i saw her
at the window, but she wouldn't open
the door mo matter how loud I knocked.
But I scattered tracts all down the
front walk, and I hope they did her
good
Miss Kezlah, you amt been, I be-
heve,' said Miss Baker We'll don't
go; It's time wasted. Her hearts as
hard as stone.
No. said Miss Keziah, laying down
her work as she spoke. Il havn't been
to see her. You know I was away to
Helmstone when her Edgar had the
fever, and since I've been back nv
rheumatic has been that bad couldn't
90 anywhere. But now I'm triAe
better. Tai take nv turn
What is the use? What can you do?
Haven't we done everythingr chorused
the other ladies.
4 think I shall ask her to tea said
Miss Keziah, thoughtfully.
ASK her to tea + repeated half-a.
dozen astonished listeners.
Yes; none of you tried that, I be-,
lieve, 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.