News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-05-25
MISS MERRIWEATHER.

''Sixty dollars-and I've earned it,
mercy knows p
And Miss Merriweather glanced down
at the little heap of money, lying upon
the Whitley secured 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, I do say
I've earned it well"
Sand you ought to put it in the bank,
and it will accumulate interest"
Miss Prue's sister, Mrs. Potter, a
little, withholding woman, with a
small nub of dusty, faxen hair pinned
tightly at the back of her head, who
was manufacturing preserves in big
brass Kettle, swung over the blaze in
the fireplace, had one single idea of
solid confectionery at interest.
''Banks amt always safe," remarked
Miss Prue, half to herself 'and don't
see the use of money either if you keep
it always in bank, so as you can't get
it if you want to. I reckon I'll have
some good out of this, anyhow. I'm
going to give a."
ga partyP' 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. sob, yes, do,
Aunt Pruel and III help you to make
the cakes, and well invite those charm
ing Thompsons that have just come
from the city, and -"
''No we WON'T" said Miss Prue, de-
cisively. sit amt a-going to be no
such affair and I 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 ia all the highways and byways
for the poorest and most miserable, and
and make them all come; and I'm going
to give them one good feed of frosted
pound-cake and lemon pies, and boned-
turkey, and eurrant jelly, and other
delicacies."
''Nonsenser' grumbled Meg, thump-
ing her watering-pot down with en-
phasis, ''that won't be nice"
Goodness graciousp' 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"
''Tm going to-" interrupted Miss
Prue. whatsoever giveth to the
poor lendeth to the Lord I'm going
to lend this much to the Lord, any way."
''But you won't get no interest"
mourned her sister, stirring up her
preserves with much detection.
''f amt afraid of getting cheated,
anyhow" said Miss Prue, dryly.
And rs there was no Lope whatever of
persuading her to change her mind, her
sister and neice were constrained to
make the best of it and help along with
the preparations.
at looks as if You were cooking your
wedding dinner, Prue Merriweather,
Uttered Miss Jemima 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.
ST come to fetch your pattern back, and
smelling nutmegs and things here, ]
come this way"
Miss Jonquil was fat and fair, and
had Notwithstanding manner ant
light gray eyes.
''Dear me" she continued, gliding il
and Pumping herself into chair by the
fire. eff il amt this very day ten year,
ago that you was cooking things JUS
like you are now, because you thought
Jim Griggs would be back next day
We all told you not TO put faith in his
promising it was quite likely be
wouldn't come, he was always so care
less but you was so headstrong you
would prepare for him, aud have party
to welcome him anyhow. suppose
you thought it might be your wedding
day if he took notion to suggest it
for I suppose he hadn't spoke already.
"You needn't bother yourself about
whether he had or not, +" said Miss Prue,
flushing. "He didn't come, SO I hope
yeu are satisfied"
''Oh, now, Prue," said Miss Jemima,
repro achfully, ''you know was awfully
sorry when he did2't come, you looked
80 distressed, and 1 pitied you evel
since. You seemed as though you
thought such lot o. Jim. If he ha6
only returned you might have been Mrs.
Griggs all this time. He must be mar
ried long ago, and I suppose you DOM
expect to be nothing but an old maid
now"
Miss Jonquil being fully six months
younger than Miss Merriweather, could
afford this tauut.
ST don't expect anything only whai
Providence sends, said Miss Prue com.
posedly, setting plate of tarts in the
window to cool
Agreat fire roared in Miss Merriweath-
er's parlor next day, and the strange
guests were soon assembled, enjoying
the novelty and exchanging greetings,
comments and criticisms.
"Dear me, ;" said an old lady in a lin
sey shawl, who earned a seanty living
by knitting socks, ''if there amt Jane
Hicps and looking "a If she thOuCbt
she was as good as anybody"
"And just see old Daddy Skifkins,
with his wall-eyes and bristles l know
he'll spoil my appetite" remarked Mrs.
Baker, who was almost helpless with
dropsy. "I do think he might have
sense enough TO stay away"
But Daddy Skifkins, far from sus-
pecting himself of being an object of
aversion, was bent on making himself
agreeable TO all, and trotted about from