The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-17
A PECULIAR WOMAN.

81 didn't spill more than ten drops,
Cousin Silence. How you worry over
the loss Of q little grease"
"It's one of my principles to save, as
you might a. learned long ago."
"I believe in prudence; but what's
few drops of lard more or less on this
farm, and nobody knows how much In
bank? You skimp and screw as il you
think there were danger OF your getting
on the town"
"well, you are the frankest young
man 1 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-
seum.
"Yes; / was always noted for my
frankness," said Tom, coolly, "and 1
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. 81 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 recollect the whippin's used
to give you"
"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, 600"
"Massy sakes 1t seems rs if other
folks know more about my business than
do myself. Fifty thousand Law
Who said 1 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 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.
"I 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 will you when your
pride has its fall. There's plenty Of
things / can leave my money to; it won't
60 begging"
"I guess not"
"You'd more'n guess il You were to
live here spell and see the stream of
visitors have. There amt day but 1
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 it
for a public library, and the minister
thinks ought to remember what a
debts on the church. To hear 'em talk
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 possi-
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 day or two pass without
looking in on the lone spinster to see if
he could give her any help, and to-day
he was making himself useful in lifting
jars and boilers of hcs 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.
al meyer promise what I 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 IL 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 ont hint
that you was a sparkin' that Prissy Car
roll"
"I wish Melissa Bonney would mind
her own business"
Don't get riled. dare say it's true.
Twould be like Won to court gal with
out penny, because you've not q PEN
ny yourself. Prissy Carroll's been raised
out Of charity by her aunt"
THAT don't make her less loyable.
Cousin Silence"
NOW, Tom Lowey," said Miss Si.
lence, brandishing the big iron spoon
with which she stirred the lard. don't
make n fool of Yourself over a pretty
face. Butter your bread before You eat
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 and
walked briskly down to the gate.
Law sakes what peculiar creatures
men are Talk of bein' peculiar why,
i amt circumstance to that Tom
Lowey. He'll marry that Prissy Car
roll now, II it's only to show me he
didn't care for my money" And,
with sigh, Miss Silence went back to
her lard. 4..
Christmas gift, indeed r. she NUT
tered, after standing for some time in
deep thought "I think see myself
eating humble pie to Martha Baldwin.
. But, somehow or other, her conscience
did not feel quite 80 easy as it had felt
before Toms call. -
An hour later Tom was sitting in the
Widow Baldwin's small parlor. with his
arm around very trim waist, and a very
lovely golden head resting ON his
shoulder. 1t was very evident that the
closest economy was necessary with the
Baldwins, for the carpet was patched
and worn, and the muslin curtains
washed threadbare. and the furniture
IN sad need OF varnish and new hair
cloth.
"I wish I saw my way clear to take
you out of this, Prissy," said Tom, with
sigh, "but clients are scarce enough
in Wolfboro."
"Now, Tom, where's the need to
worryp i couldn't leave Aunt Martha,
anyway. We are both young enough to
wait.
"You're too good for this world.
Prissy," said Tom, with kiss on the
dimpled white chin.
There's some one knocking; let me
60" cried Prissy, springing up and run
ming TO the door.
IL waa no vta,tor l,k A. a.-uI -