Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-08-17
HETTY'S MISTAKE,

lh1 L - nu1O i hh1t 4
Hes dreadful hard to get along
with" said Mrs Jennings, in a COM
planning voice. "As full of kinks and
freaks as an egg is of meat. But for
all that, think that Mary would have
suited him if it hadn't been for Bella
Barlow"
Girls is so queer said Miss Hetty
Boone, screwing up one eye toward a
drapery of cObwebs that swung to and
fro in the northeast corner of the
room. "Ah-h-h-so inconsiderate, toop
'But it's an i'll wind that blows no
good to nobody" added Mrs. Jennings,
with Borean Sigh. "Pr'aps you can
manage him, Mehitable, and in that
case it will be good home for you"
Hetty Boone bridled,
'As for that" said she, q don't deny
that I'd like to keep house for cousin
Jacob, well enough. Apenny saved is
a penny earned, you know"
But what is to become of us ?"
whined Mrs. Jennings, shaking out
the folds of calico-bordered pocket
handkerchief.
That's your own lookout" said
Hetty Boone, indifferently, as she took
off her berege veil and folded it
mathematically up inside of her hat.
Mr.. Jacob Hopper lived in one of
those old peaked-roof farm houses
which still stand among the green
Connecticut meadows, like relics of a
past generation, with a well-scoop on
one side and huge butternut tree
shaded its south exposure. Not 9
vestige of paint remained on the sid
ing, the shingles were patched and re
patched, the fence tied up with string
and wire, the cow-shed propped with
posts of every size and dimension, and
yet there was rumor in the neighbor-
hood that old Jake Hopper was as rich
as Cr9sus.
He had only one extravaganza, that
was his flower garden. Roses of the
rarest variety bloomed at the back of
the house, where early frosts could not
corrupt nor stray boys break through
and steal. Expensive bulbs, imported
direct from Holland, painted the Dor
ders with gold and scarlet in the early
spring. Choice shrubs occupied the
position of exterminated gooseberry
and currant bushes, and everybody be-
lieved that Bella Barlow would have
gained the old mans good will in that
matter of pretty Mary jennings love
II he had not declared that he would
rather have a bunch of good old-fash-
ioned "pinies and tiger-lillies" than all
cousin Jacobs japanese hydrangeas
and blOtched uoleus plants.
"Oh, Bella, how could you tell him
that ?" said Mary, in despair
oval, it was the truth" said Bella,
bluntly.
And as Miss Hetty Boone chanced
to be visiting there just at that time,
Mr.. Hopper invited her to take charge
of his household in the place Of his
widowed cousin and her daughter.
But it never would have happened,
mother" said Mary, with spirit, 'ff
Hetty Boone had not filled his mind
with doubts and ill-feelings toward us"
"Oh, Mary, don't be so uncharitable, -
said the meek widow.
Il don't intend to be, mother" said
Mary, "but I'm quite sure l heard her
telling cousin Jacob that | used too
much sugar in the spice-cookies, and
that your way of baking fiannel-cakes
was foolishly extravagant. She's a
sly, contriying old pussy-cat, mother,
and that's the long and short of it."
And Mrs. Jennings sighed, and made
TO answer
Don't worry, mother, DEAR" said
Mary, caressingly. You'll see that
we shall get along splendidly. Bella
has hired the blacksmith's shop, with
the little yellow house in the rear. and
I'll raise poultry and spring lambs, and
you shall sit in the parlor, like a lady.
with your best cap on. every day
Cousin Jacob shall see that we can get