Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-03-29
CLARISSA'S TROUBLE.
did she take itP''

''How did she take itP''
''She didn't take it at all. She Jest
gave one screech and fell down in a
faint, and there she is yet. Her mother
n Cynthy are workin' over her and I
guess they I'll bring her to after a spell.
l thought mebbe She wouldn't want to
see me when she opened her eyes, so
come away. must hurry home and set
on the kettle for supper. I'd no idee
twas so near shutdown" So saying,
Mrs. Tugg FASTENED away, leaving the
knot of women at Mrs. Marsh's gate
looking at one another and shaking their
heads in amazed disapproval.
''Did you everr' 1.-The mean old
thingr' "Jest like herr' were some of
the comments made on Mrs. Tugg as her
substantial form grew less in the dis
tant.
''She might have told us a little
more said Mrs. Long, after pause.
81 don't see what there was to tell, ="
said Miss Morey. "There was Clarissy
Mis- Marsh N Cynthy tryin' to bring her
to-
'She might "a waited till the girl
opened her eyes and heerd what She
said,'' replied Mrs. Long.
Cor she might "a let somebody with
some sort O. feelins 60 and tell the news, +"
added Mrs Loud.
''Well, she didn't do one nor t'Other,
and don't see as we can do any good
standin' here and wOnderin'," said Miss
Dyer. owed better go home an be
ready to give some help when it.
needed. Sech q shock is likely to be
fOllered by sickness. Shouldn't won
der # Clarissy was in ragin' fever by
mornin'.''
With these words Miss Dyer left the
group and turned her compassionate face
homeward.
The silence following her departure
was broken by Mrs. Long.
did Mis- Tugg say the settin' room
floor?'' asked she
mo; she didn't mention any foor.''
replied Mrs. Loud. II sh'd think more
likely twas the kitchen floor, SEEM the
Marshes washed to-day, and Cynthy N
-Clarissy ID be pretty sure to be foldin'
the sheets. Dear, dear! I'm out of all
patience with Mis- Tugg."
''If was you, Mis- Long, I'd jest run
round to the back door an see f could
do anything" said a small woman, who
had been standing on tiptoe to look over
the gate.
''Me? Massey sakes, Loriny Hayes,
why don't you go yourselfg'' asked Mrs.
Long.
..Shall IP'' said LORNA, who had been
longing to do so.
ssWell, Idon't know" said Mrs. Loud /;
''yOu amt acquainted with the Marshes
as well as Mis- Long an be. On the
hull, sister, 1 guess t1U0uld be a good
idee for you to slip round and ask a
question or two. 'Twould only seem
neighborly. If the rest of US can do any
thing you can call u.s."
Thus strengthened in her own ideas of
duty, Mrs. Long betook herself to the
back door. At the end of five minutes
she returned, looking somewhat grim.
"They don't want help at present, :"
she said, in answer to the questions show
cred upon her. mo, l didn't see Clar-
issy, but thought heerd her voice, so
/ guess she's come to it. We might as
we'll go home. There's no use fOrcin'
? &indnesses on folks.
II want goin' to tell them how was
served" she said to her sister, as they
walked together towards home. ''But
IN tell goa that another time 1 sha'n't
offer my services there in hurry
''Wouldn't Clarissy see you?" asked
her sister.
'sClarissy! better say the hull family!
Cynthy was the one that come to the
door n she want more n half civil l
went round and raped, not SOS to
startle, you know, an then lifted the
latch to walk in, but the door was bolted,
an 1 couldn't open it. So l stood still a
minute. l could hear somebody
-a-moanin' an somebody kind O. be-
-seechin'-Mis' Marian. thought.