The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-02-24
from our CONTINENT
MRS. BISHOP ANO HER BAG,
BY JENNIE S. JUDSON.

BY JENNIE S. JUDsON.
A family long subjected to malariaI
influences sought, years agone,, health
and strength from a soiourn IN the bar
rem regions Of the pines. Many I'M
pressiODs which formed on the mind of
one of Its cbiid-members still remain:
but the clearest cut of these intaglios
OF memory is that of Mrs. Bishop and
her bag, and it shall form the subject of
this sketch.
A weird procession of three wound up
the pine-crowned hill to the village
church one evening, each member bear
ing tllckering pine torch in her hand.
Arrayed In scarlet calico, with coarse
locks struggling on the breeze. what
wonder that to a youthful imagination
Mrs. Bishop and her two daughters.
Miranda and Rejoice, seemed, beneath
the fantastic glare of the torches. to be
Macbeth's witches In the very flesh?
A closer survey, however, under the
cross-barred wooden candle holder.
which formed the literal ''drippings Of
this sanctuary" revealed a grim, gaunr
woman and two strong, sunburnt girls.
Brass-bowed spectacles covered the
woman's bright eyes, and large blue
bag, whose use did not appear, was sus-
pended from her arm.
seem ike she canyt steD 'thOut that
bag, " some enc whispered near; and
from that moment the article, which, IN
accordance with this statement, was so
necessary to Mrs. Bishops well beng.
became invested for me with peculiar
interest.
Does your NAV want to buy any
quilts, sis, az you knows on ?" was the
question with which l was accosted. as
few days later the m vsterious bag and
its owner appeared at our front gate.
"I'll light and come in, was added
ere | had time to reply.
Here, Dood, " to a boy who rode be-
hind, : hitch the critter an foller me. :"
The specimens of haudiwork shortly
displayed for our qualification were COR
geous creations of scarlet, green and
yellow calico, and bore such striking
names as "Star of the Evening. J"
" Wicked Ways OF the World, - - Pride
OF the Prairie, and "SOi6mon's Tenn
pie
When my mother had conveyed to
Bishop as gently as possible the fact
that we had no need for the articles Of
tered, she replied, " Now, ma'am don't
II go to thinkin' / feels put out about
4 Laws, no! it s enough for me to
nave 'sociated fur awhile with the qual-
lty eli | haln't made no sale. -
What is your little boys name q
asked my mother, with a compassionate
glance at the little -begone-loo1ing
creature.
Doodney is the name he was bap-
tized BY, but we call him Dood for
short.
= Is it French name?" she enanired.
doubtfully, doubtless thinking Of the
beautiful name Dieu-donne, or God
given.
Laws no, ma'am! me an his paw is
strong Primity Baptises, and wouldn't
never give no chile of ourn a heather
name. Brother Stuart, an old preacher.
named the chile, and l rsckin' it's
mighty good religious name, cause
Brother Staurt Is pow'ful good MAJ.
H2 amt IN this district no mo- now. but
he'll be here come next, foot-washIn'
time. an it'll ies' DO you good to hear
hln e'zort and laugh them holy laughs
of his'n."
After a short conversation in regard to
a COW which my mother thought of pur-
chasing, and which her visitor averred
gin a bushel Of milk, Mrs Bishop
rose to so.
Let me put these apples IN your
bag, said my mother; the little boy
may like them. I"
Much obleeged, ma'am, but 1 won't
slle the bag. Here, Dood, put them
apples IN your pocket, and don't you be-
gin a-eatln' OF EN- now, as she noted
the Frightening Of the little fellows ewes.
so the bag went empty as It came, ana
Its use was not yet discovered.
| will state here, digressively. that
'come next foot-washin' time which
we found to be a season of great solem-
nifty, we heard " Brother Stuart first
endeavor to ijDe the two eends of his
mind together" by singing entirely
alone hyme SIX verses IN length,
and then hold forth for two long hours
from the text, A great king r'ered his
bul'arks agin a city, an the city tuck
an fell, during which he INDUCED fire.
quently III that peculiar form Of nervous
excitement called 1.-THE holy laugh.
After the sale of some butter aud eggs
brought q few days later. but not in the
bag, which tapped idly from her arm,
Mrs. Bishop remarked to my mother,
" If that there chile was mine. abiding
to my humble self, I'D set her on my
mantel-board am never take eyes often
her. She looks TO me ies' like alabas-
ter image. "
Like as not honey" turning with a
sudden inconsequence to me, "you
never seed country dance, did YOU?
There's a-goin' to be one out to Meach-
ems to-morrer night, an l hope Your
NAV Il let you 90. Me an Mirandy II
DE there, and will see that You are well
took care of. -
After much coaxing, permission was
granite me to attend the desired dance.
ana IN charge of a trusty servant l went
on the next night to Meachem's.
A log cabin, containing but one room.
from which all furniture had been re-
moved, served as the dancing apartment.
This was Illuminated by dismal lanterns
hung from the walls, and q blazing pile
OF pine knots IN the mud chimney.
A negro fiddler furnished the music.
and as he fell asleep at intervals during
the playing, many of ms airs might have
been styled g dreamy"
Miraudy, her mother and the bag