The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-07-11
Selfrf Sturv.
NEEDLE AND THREAD.

"An old bachelor" said Honora May.
wood.
"Thst's what he told me, just in so.
many Words" said Mrs. Pennypacker.
who stood on the the threshold of her
best room, with her head tied up in
ppcket handkerchief and a hair broom
in her hand. wherewith she gesticulated,
after tragic fashion, as she talked, while
Miss haywood, tall and slender as
wild lily, stood in the hall, with roll of
music under her arm, and her figure
wrapped in shabby black shawl. "And
he's willing to pay nv price. cash, every
Saturday night. Never attempted to
heat me down penny, if you'll believe
it, nv dear"
"Why should he p said Honors.
"Most people do, my dear" said Mrs.
Pennypscker. "a wrlnkled old widow
like me, who has her living to earn, is
most fair game for everybody. A real
gentleman. my dear-every inch of him
But he's a little particular, I'm afraid"
II suppose most old bachelors are."
said Miss haywood, smiling.
"Yes, my dear-yes" nodded Mrs
Pennypacker. "But this gentleman is
beyond the average, | think"
"And if be is2"
"Nothing." said Mrs. Pennypacker.
making dab with her broom handle at
q stray moth miller which was f1uttering
blindly against the garnet danask win.
dow curtains; "nothing, except that one
don't know where to leave him He
drinks only English breakfast tea, and
be wants his pie-crust made with the bes,
Alderney butter, instead Of lard as good
enough for other people; and he must
have ventilators to sll the windows, and
an open CRATE, instead OF the base burn
ing stove; and-I hope you'll not be Of
Tended my dear-bdt he particularly dis
likes piano"
"Dislikes piano ?" said the little mu-
sic teacher, reddeniug in spite of her.
self.
sAnd he says, says be: i hope Mrs.
PennVpacker that there is no piano in
the house. A piano. says he plays the
deuce with nv nervous system, with its
everlasting tum, tum!' These were his
words, my dear. So / couriesies, and
says /: You'll not be troubled with one
here, SIR And so, nv dear, I'll be
grateful if you won't mind doing your
practicin' until he's out for his daily
ualk-trom one to three, just as regular
as clock"
Miss haywood looked plteously up
in the laDdlady's face.
81 will do anything to oblige you, Mrs
Pennypacker," she said earnestly. II
haven't forgotten how much / am in.
debted to you both in actual money and
in kindness, which money can never re-
pay"
And her soft blue eyes filed with tears
as she spoke.
"My dear, don't say word" said
Mrs. Pennypacker hastily. you've
been slsk and you've got little behind,
and it's quite natural you should be
little low-spirited now and then. Blu!
you mustn't get discouraged Things
will look up after awhile. And you are
quite welcome to stay on here until you
are able to settle up your little account :"
Honora haywood sighed as she
thought how often her little advertise
ment had been inserted in the daily news
papers without attracting the least no.
tice from the world OF patrons and pu-
pills. There are so many "capabe mn-
sic teachers, willing to give lessons at
moderate prices" nowadays, and how
was any one to know how sorely she
needed the money!
And as time went on and no pupils
came Honora began to ask herself seri-
ously whether she should 60 out in some
menial capacity, or stay genteelly at
home and starve
"Clothes, ma'am"
Honora started from her reverie as the
washer woman's stumpy little girl banged
herself, like human battering-ram, up
against the door with preponderously
large basket on her arm.
"Yes," said Honora coloring "Put
them down, Sally. Bat lin afraid
it isn't convenient to pay your mother
to-day"
"Moiher didn't say nothin' bout pay,
said Sally, wipipg her forehesd with a
whisk OF her feet, shifting herself off her
feet. 81 was to leave the clothes with
her 'umble duty, and she 'oped they'd
suit; but it was that damp on Monday
and Tuesday as starch wouldn't stick
And she 'opes you'll excuse oil mistakes.
as they'll be done better next TIME"
81 daressy they are quite right" said
Honora With little Sigh, as she marvel
ed at this unexpected access Of courtesy
lon the part Of her Milesian lam 'ress.