The colored patriot., 1882-06-08
THE LATE MISS MERRIWEATHER

The LATE MISS MERRIWEATHER.
"Sixty dollars-and I've earned it,
mercy knowsr'
And Miss Merriweather glanced down
at the little heap of money, living upon
the whitely-scoured table, in a retro
Spective manner.
just to think of the patches of tur-
keys I've rose-pampered them up as if
they were babies, too. Yes, l do say
rTe earned it we'll"
And YOU ought to put it in the bank,
and it will accumulate interest,"
Miss Prue's sister, Mrs. Potter, a lit
tie, wilted-looking woman, with small
nub of dusty, tlaxen hair pinned tightly
at the back of her head, who was manu-
featuring preserves in big brass ket-
tie, swung over the blaze in the fire.
place, had one single idea of solid COM
fOrt-money at interest.
Banks amt always safe" remarked
Miss Prue, half to herself; land | don't
see the use of money, either, if you
keep it always in a bank, so as YOU
can't t get it if you want to. reckon I'll
have some good out of this, anyhow.
I'm going to give a.
"A partyr' screamed Meg Potter, a
bouncing, black-eyed girl in a red
Jacket, who was watering a thrifty
crocus that dwelt in an ancient coffee
boiler in the kitchen window. "Oh,
yes, do, aunt Prue. and I'll help you to
make the cakes, and Wen invite those
charming ThOmpsonS that have Just come
from the city, and
No
cisively. lit aint going to be no such
affair; and l tell you, once for all. it's
only going to be a party for poor folks
those that don't have turkeys or plum
pudding. I'm going to search round in
all the highways and byways for the
poorest and most miserable, and make
them all come and I'm going to give
them one good feed of frosted pound
cake, and lemon pies. and honed-turkey,
and currant jelly, and other delicacies"
NonSensen grumbled Meg, thump-
ing her watering-pot down with empha-
sis, "that won be nice"
Goodness graciousm groaned Mrs.
Potter, "you always was queer, Prue
Merriweather; but this beats ALL They'll
most likely get i'll, and blame you for it.
and call YOU names, and your money
will all be wasted, when you might save
it up. If you're afraid of bank, lend
it out
I'm going to-" interrupted Miss
Prue. 90 Whosoever giyeth to the poor
lcndeth to the Lord I'm going tolend
this much TO the Lord, anyway"
But YOU won't get no interest"
mourned her sister, stirring up her pre-
serves with much detection.
a. amt afraid of getting cheated,
anyhow" said Miss Prue, dryly.
And as there was no hope whatever
of persuading her to change her mind,
her sister and niece were constrained TO
make the best of it and help along with
the preparations.
"lt looks as if you were cooking your
wedding dinner, Prue Mcrriweather. -
Uttered Miss Jcmima Jonquil, appear
ing in the doorway with purple calico
apron pinned over her head. and glanc-
ing critically at the row of pies upon the
cupboard, beside which stood great
cake studded with raisins and citron.
Il come to fetch your pattern back. and
smelling nutmegs and things here, /
come this way
Miss Jonquil was fat and fair, and
had n Notwithstanding manner and
light gray eyes.
Dear me- she continued. gliding
in and Pumping herself into a chair by
the fire, - if ii amt this very day ten
years ago that YOU was cooking things
Just like YOU are now. because yOu
thought Jim Griggs would be back next
day. We all tol1 you not 10 put faith in
his promising that il was quite likely
he wouldn't come. he was always so
careless: but YOU was so headstrong you
would prepare for him. and have par
" to welcome him anyhow. | suppose
YOU thought it might be YOUR wedding
day II he took Z notion 10 suggest it
for | suppose he hadn't spoke already"
'' You nAedn't bother yourself about
whether be had or not, said Miss
Prue. flushing He didn't come, 50
hope YOU are satisfied"
20. now. Prue." said Miss Jemima,
reproachfully. YOU know was swiuIIy
sorrv when be didn't come. YOU looked
80 distressed. and / pitied you ever
since. You seemed IS though you
thought such : !ot of jim II he had
OILY 4E&I- AE4 NOA %AAAA - %-f@ @I%~
Mrs G1ggs all this rime- He must 6e
married long ago. and | suppose you
don'i expect ever 10 bc nothing but 81
old maid now"
Miss Jon luil. being fully SIX months
younger than Miss Merriwcather, could
afford this ,aunt
II don't expect anything only what
Providence sends" said Mas Pr1e.
oomposedly. setting a plate Of tArEs IN
the window 10 cooL
1 zrsAt ire roar~d In Miss IeTTs-
seathsE's pAE!oE the next DAY. Aad The