The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-07-19

paint of a chair which stood in the sun
and she eyed that distressfully. &o
"Jest look at that dust ON the runs
of that cheern she muttered. What
| if anybody come ini i wonder if !
can't reach itr'
The chair was near her, and she
managed to stretch out her limp old
hand and rub the dust off the rounds.
The she let it sink down, painting. --~,
81 wonder eff l amt goin' to die, :"
she gasped. II wonder eff I'm pre-,
pared. | never took nothin' that
shouldn't belong to me that knows
on. Oh, dear me SUI, 1 wish somebody
would GOMEZ"
When her strained ears did catch the
sound OF footsteps outside, sudden re-
solve sprang up in her heart.
81 won't let on to nobody how I've
made them quilts over, an how hewitt
had enough to eat-l won't"
When the door was tried she called
out feebly, "Who is thar?"
The voice of Mrs. Peters, her next
door neighbor, came back in response
ats me. What's the matter, Marthy?"
I'm kinder used up; dom know
how you'll git in; can't Git to the
door to unlock it to save my life"
"Can't | get in at the Window"
"Mebbe you kin"
/ Mrs. Peters was long -limbed, spare
woman, and she got in through the
window with considerable ease, it being
quite low from the ground
NShe turned pale when she saw Marths
living on the floor. "Why, Marthy.
what is the matter? How long have
you been laying thereP"
Ever since got up. was kinder
dizzy, an he'd dreadful sinkin' feelin'
1t amt much, reckon. Eff l could
have cup of tea it would set me right
up. Thar's n spoonful left in the pan.
try. Eff you jist put a few kindlin's in
the stove, Mis- Peters, an set in the
kettle an make me cup, l could git
up, | know. I've got to go an kerry
them quilts hum to Mis- Bliss an Mis-
Bennett"
81 don't believe but what you've got
all tired out over the quilts. You've
been working too hard"
"No, 'ain t, Mis- Peters; it's nothin'
but play piecin' quilts All 1 mind is
not havin' a front winder to set tc
while I'm doin' ont"
Mrs. Peters was quiet, sensible
woman of few words; she insisted upon
carryin Martha into the bedroom and
putting her comfortably to bed. 1t was
easily done, she was muscular, and the
old woman very light weight Their
she went into the pantry. She was
beginning to suspect the state of affairs
and her suspicious were strengthened
when she saw the bare shelves. She
started the fire, put on the tea-kettle
and then slipped across the yard to hei
own house for further e-enforcements
Pretty soon Martha was drinking hel
cup of tea and eating her toast and {
dropped egg. She had taken the fooC
with some reluctance, half starved a:
she was. Finally she gave in-the sight
of it was too much for her "Well,
will borry it, Mis- Peters, said she
IAN III pay you jest as soon as XIII
git up"
After she had eaten she felt stronger
Mrs. Peters had hard work to keep hel
quiet till afternoon; then she woulC
get up and carry the quilts home. The
i two ladies were profuse in praises
Martha, proud and smiling. Mrs. Ben
net noticed the pink roses at once
elbow pretty that calico did work in
she remarked.
eyes" assented Martha, between al
inclination to chuckle and to cry.
"Ef amt thankful did them quilt.
over" thought she, creeping slowly
homeward, her hard-earned two dollars
knotted into corner of her handker
chief for security.
About sunset, Mrs. Peters came il
again. "Marthy," she said, after
while, 'Sam saws he's out of worl
just now, and he'll cut through from
window for you. He's got some ole
sash and glass that's been lying rounC
in the barn ever since | can remember
: It'll be a real charity for you to take i
off his hands, and he'll like to do it
Sans rs uneasy as fish out of waite
when he hasn't got any work. "
Martha eyed her suspiciously
"Thanky; but | don't want nothin
done that can't pay for" said she
with a stiff toss of her head.
at would be pay enough Just lettin,
Sam do it, Martha; but, if you reall
feel set about it, I've got some sheet
that need turning. You can do then
some time this summer, and that vii
pay us for all it's worth
The black eyes looked at her sharply
"Air you sure?"
Eyes; it's fully as much as it worth,
said Mrs. Peters. IN most afraid it
more. There's four sheets, and put
ting in a window is nothing more tina
! putting in patch-the old stuff ain
! worth anything"
When Martha fully realized that sh
was going to have front window, an
that her pride might suffer it to
given to her and yet receive no insult
she was as delighted as child.
''Lor sakes!' said she, ''iest to thin
that shall have afront winder to sc
to! wish mother could ha' lived t
see it. Mebbe you kinder wonder a
it, Mis- Peters-you've alters he'd from
winders; but you haven't any idea wha
great thing it seems to me. 1t kinde
makes me feel younger. Thar's tn
Mosely children; they're bout all Nv
ever seen pass this winder, Mis- Peters
Jest see that green spot out thar; it
Al. a II Al