The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-10-05

mission one of peculiar benevOlence, and
though, warned by her previous expert
ence, she set about it with more caution,
and mentioned no names until she was
obliged, she felt very sure Of her prize
this time. But the rosy little seamstress,
who had only her fingers, ard her trit1e
IN the bank against the day when those
fingers failed her, proved no more tract
able than Miss Maria. She declined to
be pitied on her desolute condition; she
only laughed when Aunt Phemy spoke
OF the advantages Of good home and
provision for the future.
"Gou're very kind, Pm sure, Mrs.
Smith but see no reason to change my
state. Ii I'm satisfied to depend on my
self, other folks needn't worry over me.
| know Pm sick sometimes, and | can't
always count on the work but do pret-
ty we'll, considering. AS for a home,
could 90 to James any day, and welcome"
"But that amt at all the same" cried
Aunt Phemy; ''an' Of course you don't
want to go to your sisters, with her seven
children and a sickly husband. always
did say that for 50 smart a girl as Jane
was, she had poor luck marrying. But
that needn't set YOU all against it; and
it's clear flynn in the face of Providence
to refuse a real good home now. You'd
better take a little time to think it over.
suppose it's 4 mite surprisn' to YOU
maybe"
"I don't need no time to think - retort-
ed Miss Abby grimly. 'l'mnot obliged to
marry for a home and if Id wanted to,
needn't have waited till this time, thank
you"
"Well, | dunno Wnat the world is com
in' to-" groaDed Aunt Phemy, as she
walked home, "When women won't mar
~ man like Joseph Badger It's all
these new notions about its bein' 50 fine
TO be independent but did think Abby
Stebbns had more sense There's one
comfort, she won't tel of it. | wish
goodness b'lieve iii tell Joseph he must
git a wife for himself. didn't count on
its bein' any such work"
She wiped the sweat from her brow as
she spoke. The road was dusty the day
was hot, and her office was proving bur
densome. And Just then, at a turn of
the country way, she came on trim lit
tie cottage. "l declare, I'm cen almost
tuckered out" she painted. III Jest goin
an see the widder Holmes q spell, an git
rested She'd he a good one for Joseph,
if he want sot against widders, But
there, amt gon' to ask any more
folks t0 have him jest yet"
The widow Holmes was Slight, pale,
with pathetic remnant of lost beauty
in her faded checks She had been left
alone IN the world five Years before, with
only the little home between her and star
vation; but by stitching in winter, and
city b0arders in summer, She pjeced out
Il narrow living for herself and her only
child. The little house now was full to
0vcrtiOWing, and she came to the door
hot and flushed from the kitchen. But
her greeting was as cordial as heart
could wish. "Well, I'm glad to see you,
Mrs. Smith. DO come right in. I've had
to give the paror up to Il hoarder; but
there's no one i'll this room, and You look
all beat out With the heat
''Well, am considerable tired, admitted
Mrs. Smith, as she sank into the old fash
ioncd rocker the widow brought forward,
and took a great turkey feather fan from
her hand. "I'd no idea twas so hot, or
J Wouldn't 4 come out. But now I'm dis
turhln you. You was dom Suthn' out
in the kitchen, WANT YOU Z" She 4ianc-
ed a. She spoke through the open door
into the little Iean-to that served at once
as dining-room and Kitchen The sit
ting room was cool and pleasant, and
though small and poorly furnished, was
IN perfect order. She had seen that as
she took her seat and her respect for the
widow rose ds she noted the same spotlcss
ncatnrss in the room beyond ''Can't |
Jest 60 right out where you are! You're
putin up fruit, s'posc ?"
''l'm Just through" answered the wild
ow, obeying the hint by leading the way
out. "There it is; bushel Of bIackber-
lies, anu not a berry lost, if did do it.
And want you to see the apple jelly
made yesterday. Not that it's any better
than other folks maybe, but | had un-
commen luck thought"
"Well, now, that is beautiful, beautiful,
Mis- Holiness said Aunt Phemy, regard
ing with approx al the row Of glasses in
the window, and the cans of fruit beside
them. ''lou'ye had good luck, should
say. calculate Pm pretty good hand
at Jelly, but this beats me- Is it half and
half z"
"Only thirds. can't afford halves for
boardels,' She added, with Il tired laugh
"Why it's good enough for the fair" :"
Aunt Phemy added, after she had tasted
YOU'D ought to send it, Mis- Holmes, and
git prize"
"It viii be all gone by fair time" an
swered the widow. "My boaders are
going to stay through October this year
they say, and they're all 50 fond Of my
jelly"
"WelI, you have your hands full, Aunt
phemy said as they went back to the
cool sitting room. 'Ain't it pretty tough
work to manage all alone I've heard
city folks were 50 uppish an hard to suit
"Aline are pleasant enough this year"
answered the widow "and if they wasn't
well you know, Mrs. Smith, a woman
can't afford to quarrel with her bread
and butter. I'm thankful to have health
and strength to do all that 5 asked of me-"
can that's a good deal, make no
doubt" answered the other, sympatlet-
icaliN, ''but YOU do do wonderful Mis-
Holmes We was a-speakin Of it only
the other day, an | was sayn' to brother
Joseph, what a smart woman YOU was to
turn off work
The widow laughed "a forlorn little
laugh, sadder than tea1s She had had
hard struggle these years to get liv-
ing, and pay ot1 the small mortgage on
the home. She was like many another of
her type, slight but wiry, frail but teua-
cious, and she had carried heavier burdens
than people knew, being much too proud
to tell her neighbors her troubles. "The
Lord helps them that help themselves,
you know" she said.
eyes, that is comfortin thought"
Aunt Phemy said, heavng that pious
sigh with which some persons always re
fer to the Deity, can no doubt you've
found it true. But you deserve a turn of
luck, Mis- lit lines. Now, if you was to
think Of marryin again Of course it's Il
solemn matter dunno as | ever could
make up my mind to it if 'Lias was to
leave me but there, you're young an
pretty yet, an Of course you could have
chances, if you was disposed to consider
them" Mrs. Smith was growing diplom
attic, and though, inspired by all the
signs of ''cleverness" she saw about her,
cbn tntt bat No