Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-08-24
why Peggy Married StiaS.

neighhorhood on purpose TO tell tolks
that was cut out for an old maid. But
thanks TO my knowledge of human nature,
have at last got good man and Nancy
may storm and whistle till her mouth Is
all out of shape, for what | care. mar
| ried Silas Harris one year ago, aud l am
going to tell you all about it.
You see Old Mrs. Harris got took down
SICK an they had no one TO do the house
work, such as bakln', washln', ironin'
an sweepin'; so |, feelin' kinder tender
| hearted-I always was a tender hearted
creeter-l went up there an told Mr..
Harris, which was Mrs. Harris son, that
/ would stay an help 'em II they couldn't
git anybody to suit 'em better.
Nancy Vincent has been here and of.
fered her services" said the old lady.
"Then she has been here, has she 7"
| was afraid after had spoken they
would notice how mad was, but they
didn't; and told 'em plainly all Nancy
Vincent was after was q husband-told
em about her cookin', what miserable
bread she made; what fgger she cut at
the meetin' house, with a-a-her hustle
clean up to her shoulders and told all
about her tryln' to catch Parson Smiths
son, who was then only 20. and she 81,
an didn't know but she might be 20.
"Well, If she Ia such creature, we
don't want her here" said Mra Harris.
lou'd better believe that was glad to
hear her say so. AIR. Harris had good
farm, nice house an barn, an had no
notion Of lettin' old Nance come In anead
Of me, though / never did care anything
about the men sex, never; still didn't
intend to have wool pulled over my eyes.
l always knew how to be a pesky old
gossip. | don't tell stories about my
neighbors, and don't gad all over town
unless there is something to gad about.
''She is all I've told you and more
too, said |, and then Mr.. Harms, which
is now my husband, told me TO come and
stay with his mother and he would pay
me.
az don't ask no pay" said l. ''She is
my Heighbor, and neighbors should help
each other in case of sickness.
swell, come IL you can and will see
that you don't lose anything by it."
OF course went rignt up there; what
else could do Mrs. Harris made me
bake some riz' bread the fust thing, then
baked some pies, and then, as it was
near supper time, cooked some nice slap
jacks, for knew Sllas liked slap-packs
Then put clean white spread on the
table, placed some of my riz' bread on,
together with some Of my best ounce
sauce, that | had brought from home,
fixed the slap jacks, butter and tea in
their places, then l blow q the horn to
call Silas TO supper.
Pretty soon he came i'm, But who 10 you
suppose was with him2 Why, nobody
but old Nancy Vincent. I was mad. She
went right up to Mrs. Harris and, taking
paper parcel from under her old yaller
shawl, SAID: 81 thought you'd need some
cookln' done, benz 80 unwell like an not
bein able to work, an took the liberty
to bring you some chicken an cheese"
then she laid her vittals on the table and
looked at Silas, while her old mummy
face wrinkled up into what she meant TO
be a sweet smile, but it looked more like
dried bacon, 60 years old.
"Thank you very much, but we've got
good cook said Mrs. Harris.
lis she the one Z" and Nance pointed at
tairly snapped sparks.
81 came with the intention OF helping
our sick neighbor until she was able to
help herself" answered.
"You did, did your don't see what
you are meddlln' around in"
she is not to blame, told her to
come" suddenly broke IN Silas,
'"Then s'pose it's all right IL you told
ber to come, but there's folks in the world
that knows more about sickness an nussin'
l can tell you," and Nance founced to-
ward the door.
"Stay and take supper with us, won't
youR" asked Silas.
81 don't know but l will seem as how
your mother is 30 unwell."
''That's right, Nancy, Sit down and be
neighborly once in your life, "and placed
chair for her at the table. I could gee
that Nance felt dreadful uneasy, though /
telt all right, except that l was kinder
mad. Sllas praised my sauce, and he said
my slap jacks were the best he had ever
ate. And Mrs. Harris also Said my bread
couldn't be beat.
Nance never said word, but she was
u
see. determined that wouldn't touch
hcr old chicken and cheese, and 80 she
| thought she'd pass it round herself.
'"Try some of my chicken, Mrs. Harris,
you'll like it, know you will.
Have some cheese" and she passed
the plate, but the SICK lady only took
small piece, she gave a glance at it aud
laid 1t on the table, with the remark that
she dare net eat cheese.
you'll take piece, Sllas9"
~ don't care if do, SAID he,
She again passed her plate, and Silas
reached out his hand and took piece, but
just as he was going to bite of chunk, a
little shower of white shippers ratified off
into his tea
You'd better believe he didn't eat much
OF that cheese. He got up, sudden like,
and SAID his head ached. didn't see him
again very soon. Mrs. Harris said she
| felt sick TO her stomach, and left the room.
Nance didn't know what to make of 1t all,
but she bustled up to me and SAID I'd been
tellin' stories about her, 30 that [ could
catch Silas myself.
"You lie, you know you do, Nancy
Vincent !" didn't care If did talk PLAIN
bein' as how Silas aud Mrs. Harris was
out of the room.
"You lie yourself, you old cap settin'
snlpe!"
Now to be called q cap settin' snipe,-
to be called so by old Nance Vincent was
more than could stand; 50 went at her,
''hammer and tonga"