Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-06
WHY PEGGY MARKuED suLAs.
Her Own Account OF Ii, to a Sympa.
fhiZing Friend.
From the Springfield Republican.


have started out all over the neghborhood on
purpose to tell folks that / ,cds cut out for an
old maid. But thanks to my knowledge of hu-
man allure, have at last got a good man. and
Nance may storm and whistle till her mouth is
al out OF shape, for what I care. L married
SLias Harris one year ago, and | 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 DIRK,
SIGH "a bakin', washin', irOnin an sweepin'; so
i, feelin' kinder tender-hearted-I always was
atender hearted creeter-I went up there an
told Mr.. Harris, which was Mrs Harris son.
that / would stay an help 'em, If they couldn't
git anybody that would suit EN- better.
NANCY Vincent has been here and offered her
Services" said the old lady
Then she has been here has she." was
afraid after had spoken that they would notice
how mad was, but they didn't; and told 'em
plainly that all Nance Vincent was after was a
husband-told emf about her cOokin' what mis-
cradle bread she made, what figger she cut at
the meetin' house. with a-a-her hustle clean mn
to her shoulders,-and told all about her tryin
20 catch ParsOn Smiths son, who is only about
20, and she 81, an didn't know but she might
be 20.
well, if she is such a creature we don't want
her here" said Mrs. Harris
You'd better believe that was glad to hear
her say so. Mr. Harris had a good farm nice
house an barn. and had no notion of lettin'
old Nance come in ahead of me- though never
did care anything about the men SEX never ;
Still didn't intend to have wool pulled over my
eyes. | always knew her to be pesky old
gossip. / don't tell stories about my neighbOrs
and don't CAD all over t0wn-unless there is
something to CAD about.
She is all I've told you and more toe" said
], and then Mr.. Harris. which is now my hus-
band. told me to come and stay with his mother
and he would pay me.
IL don't ask no pay" said T. "She is nv
neiShbor. and nei9hbors should help each other
in case Of sickness"
well. come if YOU can and will see that Won
don't lose anything by it
or course | Went right up there; what else
gould do? Mrs. Harris made me bake some
fZ bread the fust thing. then baked some pies
and then, as it was near supper time. cooked
Some nice slap-jacks. for knew Silas liked slap
Jacks Then put clean white spread on the
table, placed some of my Tiz bread on together
with some of nv best ounce sauce that | had
Brought from home. fixed the slap-iacks. butter
and tea in their places. then / bowed the horn
to call Silas to supper.
Pretty soon he came in. but who do you think
was with him: Why. nobody but old Nancy
Nince;.t | was mad She went right up to
Mrs Harris, and. taking paper parcel from
under her old yaer shawl. said: - | thought
you'd need some cOOkin' done. bein' so unwell
like an not bein' able to work an | took the
liberty TO bring yOu some chicken an cheese; !"
then she laid hef whites on the table and looked
at Sil'S. while her old mummy face wrinkled up
into y hat she meant to be sweet smile but it
looked more like q dried bacon sixty wears old
'Fhaak you very much. but we've got good
COOK. said Mrs. Harris.
lis she the one 2" and Nance pointed at nv
face. while her squirting green eyes fairly
Snapped sparks.
- came with the intention of helping our sick
ne.hb0r until she vas able to help herself"
answered
- ou did. did you? don't see what YOU are
me.idlin' around in"
:. she is not to blame. told her to come
suddenly broke in SiiaS.
Then s'pose tt all right, if you told her to
come. but there's folks in the world that knows
more about sickness an nussin' | can tell YOU"
and Nance fOunced toward the door
Stay and take supper with US, won't you p
asked Silas.
g! don't know but 1 will, SEEM as how your
mother is unWell.'
That's right Nancy sit down and be neigh
borly once in your life" and placed a chair for
her at the table could see that Nance felt
dreadful uneasy, though felt all right except
that was kinder mad. SilaS praised my sauce
and said my slapjacks were the best he ever
ate. And Mrs. Harris said my bread couldn't be
beat.
Nance never said a word, but she was the
spitefulest lookin' critter ever did see de-
terInined that / wouldn't touch her old chicken
and cheese. and so she thought shed pass it
round herself.
TRY some Of my chicken, Mrs Harris you'll
Ike 1t. | know you will"
Mrs. Harris took small slice but only lust
tasted of it,
''Have some cheese" and she passed the
plate. but the sick lady only took small piece
gave glance at it and laid it on the table, with
the remark that she dare not eat cheese
You'll take piece, Sas?"
81 dent care if do" said he.
She again passed her plate, and Silas reached
out his hand and took up piece. but just as he
was going to bite off 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 I'D 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 it ALL but she hustled I'D and
said Ia been tellin' stories about her. so that
Could catch Silas myself.
~ gu lie. you know you do. Nance Vincent"
didn't care If did talk plain bein' as how Silas
ami Mrs Harris was out OF the room.
You lie Yourself. you old cap-settin' snipel"
Now to be called cap-settin' snpe-tO be
called so by old Nance Vincent.-was more than
could stand; so went at her, '.hammer and
toms"
Nance Vincent" said land you'd better
believe felt mad,-'.dO you think you can come
here. with your old fiy-blown cheese. full of
shippers. with your old chicken so tough that a
"a dog couldn't eat it. with the expectation of
catchIn Silas Harris for a husband?'
You may talk and talk" said she sniveling,
but can tell you one thing" and she looked
vlndiet,vely at me. Il didn't come here to lie
about folks, and didn't come here to set a tran
to catch Silas Harris"
NO don't think you did" said I, "skippery
cheese amt quite the thing to bait him with.
and don't think he would have such an old
Withered gad-about az you be, even if you
should ask him.
Nance swept her old cheese and chicken INTO
paper bag. then she tied her old bonnet on her
head, and stepped out on the piazza as mad as a
hornet.
You may 60" said I, ''nobody wants YOU
here with your old maggotty cheese"
''Ill write letter to oilas," she screamed as
she switched down the path. land tell him what
mean thing you be-
I'm going TO tel him what an old mischief
making body you are" was my answer.
Mrs. Harris now called me, and went into
her room.
:. Has that spiteful creature gomez" she in
Guired.
"Yes hope So"
Good radiance to bad rubbage," said she.
I" hope So" said L.
III Nance Vincent comes here again I'll get
Silas 10 turn her away. i can't have my nerves
disturbed again in such manner Now Peggy.
you may do up the work"
went at lt with Will. washed and put
away the dishes. swept the floor. BACKED the
Gfn nd hon al.