The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-03-31
CLARISSA'S TROUBLE.
How did she take itpn

''How did she take itP''
"She didn't take it at all. She lest
gave one screech and fell down in a
faint, and there she is yet Her mother
n Cynthy are. workin' over her and |
guess they II bring her to after spell.
! thought mebbe she wouldn't want to
see me when she opened her eyes, so
come away. Unjust 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. Marshs gate
looking at one another and shaking their
heads in amazed disapproval.
did you everr' 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
"She might have told us little
more said Mrs. Long, after pause.
Il don't see what there was to tell, :"
said Miss Morey. There was Clarissy
on the settin' room floor, and there was
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.
''Or she might "a let somebody with
some sort O. feelins 90 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. "We'd better go home an be
ready to give some help when it's
needed. Sech a 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
foor?" asked she. ...
mo; she didn't mention any floor"
replied Mrs Loud. Il sh'd think more
likely twas the kitchen floor, SEEM the
Marshes washed to-day, and Cynthy n
ClariSsy d be pretty sure to be foldin'
the sheets. Dear, dear! Pm out of all
patience with Mis- Tugg."
''lf | was you, Mis- Long, I'd Jest run
round to the back door an see # / could
do anything" said a small woman, who
had been standing on tiptoe to look over
the gate.
'MeP Massey sakes, Loriny Hayes,
why don't you go YOURSELF" asked Mrs.
Long.
''Shall I?" said LORNA, who had been
longing to do So
"Well, l don't know" said Mrs. Loud +;
''you amt acquainted with the Marshes
as well as Mis- Long an be. On the
hull, sister, / guess 'tsoouJd be 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,
tbing 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. ''No, didn't see Clar-
issy, but | thought l heerd her voice, SC
! guess she's come to it. We might as
well go home. There's no use forcin'
kindnesses on folks.
II want goin' to tell them how was
served" she said to her sister, as they
walked together towards home. "But
I'll tell goa that another time / sham
offer my services there in hurry"
''Wouldn't Clarissy see youP' asked
her sister.
''Clarissy! better say the hull family
Cynthy was the one that come to thu
door n she want more n half civil.
went round and raped, not SOS t,
startle, you know, an then lifted thu
latch to walk in, but the door was bolted
an l couldn'topen it. So stood still
minute. | could hear voices SOMEBODY
a-moanin' an somebody kind o be
seechin' Marian, l thought.