Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-07-25
take 'em into town. said Miss Pat

4 bus Il pANe&>N -
"From door to door," responded m
witch like cousin. go everywhere
Tell 'em they're Miss Patsey Pounsett
yarbs. Everybody knows me. Fiv
cents bunch for the small ones, ten TO
the large ones And don't let the gras
grow under your feet, for I've got to take
my hot drink at one o'clock, and you
must be home to fix it for me.
And this was the fashionable career o.
which l had dreamed at Powder City
Well, what was / to do. could not e
back to the East, for l had not money
enough. Icouldn't write home, for the
matter Of the "yarbs" was too pressing to
admit, in Cousin Patsey's eyes, Of even 0
half hours delay. .s
Moreover, there was the old creature
sick, alone and in trouble, and was toe
loyal to dream Of abandoning her. Sc
without more ado, took the basket and
set forth on my weary way. blushing il
any one looked at me-ready to cry il
any shtill.tongued housekteper decried
the value of my wares.
| sold some herbs-enough 10 buy
Miss Patsey's medicine, and little
knuckle of veal to boil into nourishing
soup-and came home with muddy boots,
weary limbs, and considerably depre-
ciated valuation Of myself.
Cousin Patsey had great many ques-
tions to ask, and appeared to think that
| might have driven deal more proiita-
ble business il only had chosen. And
she was feeble and weak, and | pitied
her too much to rebel
On the third day | CHANGED to meet
my travelling companion--the tall, dark
young man, with the bright eyes, who
had been instrumental in finding my
travelling bag on my journey. He was
in store where | had meekly profered
my wares. and he stepped eagerly for
ward, with a smile Of recognition.
Miss Harper" he exclaimed offering
his hand.
"Do you want 10 buy any herbs :
said |, with mischievous twinkle in my
eyes. "Catnip. tarragan, feverfew !!
Only FIVE cents a bunch. And quite
fresh and genuine"
"I'l buy the whole basket :" said he.
NO." pronounced. that wouldn't
be business. But if you choose to select
half dozen bunches--"
So he bought them, with such wonder
ing eyes that | felt myself constrained
to explain.
"My cousin Patsey isn't rich at all, y
said |. "She earns her living by selling
these herbs. And she is i'll and unable
to sell them herself, ! am acting as her
proxy"
"You'Ie a heroine said he, earnestly
a very involuntary one" answered
signing and smiling.
When he had gone out Of the store,
could not help asking the old woman be-
hind the counter who he was.
Its Mr.. Alymer," she answered
"He's an artist, miss. as paints pic,ers
and they do say as how he gets dreadful
big prices for bit OF canvas as you coul(
cover with dinner plate
Mr.. Aylmer came out to the farm
house to see me the next day. H'
brought me bunch Of rhododendrons
and sat and chatted with Cousin Patse!
for long time. The old crone eyed mi
keenly after he was gone.
81 don't approve of fellows as a gen
eral thing" said she; "but reckon
John Alymer is good fellow-and
sort o think, Flora, that he likes you.
But, Cousin Patsey, he has only seel
me twice before ~ cried /, turning yer
red. rarH I..i a..
"That makes no difference" said sh
sharply, "Love don't go by the multipli
cation table. I've lived solitary ant
alone all my life; but don't want then
as I'm fond Of to do the same. It's to
dreary-a deal too dreary -
] stayed with Counsin Patsey mont
doing al the drudsery OF her wretche
house. se,, r,tss herbs for her, keeping u
cheerful face through it all, and the
.be d;ed-d;ed a, -ddenly and alone, i
the dead of night. a ~
They buried her, and prepared to re
turn TO the East; not, no. ~eSei' UNI
John Alymer had made me pro. ''.e '"'
if he came for me in the autumn, / "o"'
be his wife. J3als g. a.a yl .av 17sa
p"We shall be poor, Flossy." he saio
"bat love is better than gold"
was sitting in the depot, waiting 70
the train, with John talking TO me. whel
old Mr.. Dodge. the white. whiskere'