The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-01-04

congregation, from the minister down to
the sexton; she had so many weddings,
funerals, and societies to attend, that
Mrs. Beardsley hardly saw her in her
own house for the next year; although
Mrs. Morris call was promptly re-
turned.
Next to Mrs. Roberts lived the Waters
family; nice, kindly, plain young peo.
Pile. Mrs. Waters sister being the third
member of the family. The husband
was a timer, and it was in his shop.
where she was buying tea kettle, that
the new neighbor was introduced to
them. They meant to call, they were
members of the same church to which
the Beardsleys belonged, and lived only
two houses away, but they were shy! 1t
seemed to be sort of agony to them to
speak before a stranger; they blushed
and stammered, and looked every way
but the right one. At last, after a year
of waiting, they came one evening, but
they never came again.
Up above her, for the street was on the
side of gentle declivity, Mrs. Beardsley
had another neighbor, carpenters wife,
Mrs Green. She, too, seemed to be shy
AT uTSu, DuC WAS dttIdCttu dltCI WullC
by Justina's flowers, and Tommy's merry
face. She was childless herself, and her
one passion was flowers. and after the
ice was broken she came in often, some
times with an apple for Tommy, some
times with rose for his mother. Mrs.
Roberts had called Mrs Beardsley proud
and 'stuck-up,' but Mrs. Green did not
find her so.
'She's real nice," was her unbiased
verdict, as she walked home one night
with the Waters family from prayer
meeting. II did expect She d be little
airy, seein, who her folks was; but she
amt, not mite. She's as pleasant as
pie dunno when I've set so much by
q neighbor as do by her. Mis- Deans
leetle too high in the instep for me, and
Mis- Morris she don't care for nobody
without they're Banker, and you can't
take the solid comfort with Mis- Roberts,
she's so particlar leest you shouldn't
think so much of her as you ought to.
But my! Mis- Beardsley, she's just as
easy as an old shoe. 1 wish't had not
stayed so long, but you know, Malviny,
I amt no hand to make acquaintance
with folks. 1 don't know as I should
ever ha knowed you if John hadn't been
my nephew"
There was still another neighbor on
the street, old Miss Betsey Parker, the
tailoress, living in small brown house
but one to that which the Beardsleys
occupied. She was plain, uneducated
woman, having plenty of common sense
and cheerful nature; no especial talent
or brightness, or charm of aspect, but
she was an honest, humble Christian.
Mrs. Dean sent her sewing, when she
had it, and Mrs. Morris found il quite
handy to have tailoress close by when
her two big boys tore their clothes,
especially as Betsy went to the Banker
church. Besides these small sources of
income she made shroujs for the Dalton
factory, and coffin trimmings; the day of
tailoress work had gone by; and she
owned the little house she lived il, set
about with cinnamon roses and ilacs and
garden devoted chiefly to corn, beans
and squashes, though q great bunch of
Glove pinks and q cluster of red peonies
adorned its border. She was the first
neighbor whose acquaintance Mrs.
Beardsley made. While that weary
woman was putting down her parlor car
pet she looked up a, the sound of kind
voice and sa slat sun-bonnet peering
round the edge of the door; deep in its
bingham vault Miss Betsys cheerful face
smiled at her.
Il thought mebbe l could help you
some way. l live next door but one, and
if you want anything I've got, just send
| for it; matches or extry hammer. /
know how tbs; folks always forget some
thin. Mercy sake! let me get hold of
that stretcher! Them poor little hands O.
yourn amt fit for such heavy work."
and suiting the action to the word she
took Mrs. Beardsley's place and the re-
fractory carpet became docile at once.
while poor Justina sat down on the floor
and felt like crying from mere relief. 81
wish twas the first instead of the last. l
live right up there in that small house
with the lean to, an if you want any
thing I've got. to help ye, send right up.
Ny names Betsey Parker"
"Oh, thank you. / was so tired" was
the rather incoherent answer; but the
very grateful look out of Mrs. Boards
ley's eyes filed it out for Miss Betsey.
She had not stopped to consider her
own position or her neighbours, but
came at once to see if she could help;
and this was only the beginning; she
brought many fresh egg over to tempt
Justina's delicate appetite, though her
poultry was only three bantam hens.
And again and again when her neighbor
had headache, she took Tommy home
with her for the day, though she had
sometimes to stay at home from church
| With him Che had No IN ria ua like Mrs