The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-04-12
HANNAH'S OFFER.

"Josiah," said old Mrs Conner. " if
you're not too busy I'd like you to step
over to the Barkers' and take message
for me-"
IAN right, mother" said Josiah.
"What is itP"
"Why, I'd like to have Hannah's
help while the boarders are here" said
Mrs. Conner. And if you'll ask her
ma to let her come, and tell her I'll give
twelve dollars a month, / shall feel set
tied. If Hannah Barker won't come
Sarah Smiley will. But Sarah has to
be told everything, and Hannah, she
Just sees what's to be done and does it.
Come right out about the offer. l don't
want to be thought to be asking favors
ofmy neighborsf daughters; and Hannah
is practical"
Josiah Conner, who had been hoeing
the garden, put his hoe in the corner
and went into the house. He took off
his gray flannel shirt and put on white
one, linen coat and a straw hat with
blue ribbon around it. He further sac
rificed to the graces by tying his most
becoming neck-tie around his throat
under a stiff, new collar. His mother
noticed this, but made no remark. She
was rather pleased that he should be
particular for reasons which she kept to
herself.
She watched him go down the road
with certain pride, for she thought
him very good-looking, indeed. "Not
the sort of man for an old bachelor"
she thought, "but he's five-and-thirty
tomorrow, and l can't see as he's taken
shine to any one YET"
She sighed as the thought crossed her
mind. For though when son desires
to marry, his mother generally opposes
it, when he does not she is always
anxious that he should.
Hannah Barker is capable, savin'
GIRL" she said to her milk-pan, as she
rubbed it. "But beauty is all young
men ever think of, and Hannah isn't
pretty"
And just as these words passed her
lips Josiah entered the Barker's gate.
Mrs. Barker, a very fat and very stu
pid old lady, was sitting on the porch
shelling peas. She had reputation
for making a mistake whenever it was
possible, and Josiah knew it.
'Likely enough, if I'm not careful,
she'll think mother wants Hannah to
help her for nothing" he said to him
self, so I'll begin in plain words that
she can't help understandings
And then he made his bow and said:
Good morning. How is yourhealth,
Mrs. Barker?"
"Weu," said Mrs. Barker, slowly,
sit ant 'textry, but ought to be thankful
/ ant worse" Mrs. Barker thought it
ungenteel to be too well, and always
answered in these terms to any inquir-
les regarding her health. How your
poor map"
There was no one less to be pitied in
the place than Mrs. Connor; but 'your
poor ma" was form she invariably
used in inquiring after any ones mater
nal parent.
Mother is well," said Josiah, taking
a seat on the lower step. "and she sent
me over to make an offer to Hannah"
Lori said Mrs. Barker, dropping
her handful of pea-pods II want to
know"
''You see we've got boarders. They're
coming up Monday said Josiah,
twirling his straw hat, "and mother
thinks Hannah beats every girl she
knows. She considers her worth more
than twelve dollars a month; but, at
4 was 10 uIdke neT L1aL
offer, and she'll consider it favor if
she'll accept it''
Hannah is worth all that, - said Mrs.
Barker with sigh. I'm sure don't
know how I'll do without her myself.
Still, hadn't orter stand in her way,
know; and Melissa has made all the GIN
gerbread and sponge-cake for two or
three months, and Samuel can milk the
cows
"Why, yes. I MIXED four at Sans
age" said Josiah.
II want to knowr' said Mrs. Bar
ker. Then she added, calmly: "rdon't
know when was more surprised than
by that offer you jest spoke of making
to Hannah. / hadn't the least idea It
was thought of, not for minute; but
girls are so SLY nowadays they don't
tell anything to their poor mothers.
"Oh, it hasn't been mentioned be-
FORE" said Josiah. "Hannah didn't
know. Can say it's settledp"
For all me you may" said Mrs.
Barker; land her poor pa don't inter-
fere often, and ! don't see why he
should now; but if Hannah don't know
yet, 1T seems curious you should speak
to me. You'd oughter ask her first, YOU
know. l amt Turk. Their poor mas
do sell them unbeknown, I'm told; but
it ant my way"
Where is Hannah. Mrs. BarkerP"
added Josiah. I'm go and ask her
now"
"She's down to New York, shop
ping" said Mrs. Barker, ''and she naay
stay all day; most likely soiH. But to-
morrow is Sunday, and I'll have the
lamp Lit in the parlor, and you can talk
it over with her. I'll tell her you're
coming, and why, and all. couldn't
keep it to myself. But faint heart new
er won fair lady, Josiah, and nobody
couldn't expect girls poor ma to do