The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-02-13
5Mislellanenus.
Hattie'S Mistake.

ChHnSeu siHCc my uuy w neH L WIS u girl
folks used to stay at home and help thei
mothers do the house work, and piece bed
quilts, and embroider lace wells, instead O
running about in all the dirty streets anC
narrow lanes in creation~
Mrs. Prodgtt did not take kindly to modern
| civilization.
She had come up from Owl Brook to visit
her cousin Mary Ann who had married
Ebenezer Hardy quarter Of century ago
and settled down in New York and, as She
expressed herself, "things seemed to be all
turned topsyturvy."
But Cousin Prodigy" said saucy Hattie
Hardy, who was equipping herself with bas.
ket, bag, parasol and waterproof cloak, sit is
a work of mercy and charity that we are en-.
gagged in"
Nonsense" irritably cried Mrs. Prodgitt
81 think you've all gone crazy together! Pm
surprised at you, Mary Ann, to let the child
go tramping all over the city by herself In
my day it wasn't considered respectable"
"You say, truly, that times have changed
since then, mildly uttered Mrs Hardy, who
was knitting tleecy, white wool by the fire.
"Be sure, Hattie, that you come home early
The new minister is to be here tonight 10
tea, and Betsy can't be trusted with the new
set of moss-rose china"
II wonder what he is like?" said Hattie, as
she tied the deep-blue string of her hat into
coquetish bow under her round chin. ~
do hope he's young and handsome"
"My dearW demonstrated Mrs. Prodgitt.
"Of couse," added Hattie, 1--WE knew that
old Mr.. Puzzleton was perfect saint; but
one don't like saints with red noses and spec
tacles, and three layers of double chin!"
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as if she expected
that Hattie would be struck by lightning on
the spot for that heretcal remark.
Harriet !" was all that she could utter.
While Mrs. Hardy, more accustomed to the
audacious speeches of her pretty daughter
went on, in her purring, sing song tones:
Don't forget that poor widow in Cob lane
Hattie. And if you go TO Milo Reneau's,
think it would be well to speak word in
season to that great lazy son of his, who is
always buying lottery tickets, and does nosh,
ing to support the old folks"
"Oh, yes? I'm glad you mentioned that,
said Hattie penciling an entry on her little
tablets. "'Mem-To give Jonas Reneau 9
piece of my mind Dear Mr.. Puzzletor
always said that that young man was dread
full stumbling blockp
"And l think" went on Mrs. Hardy, "tha
the Gray sisters can find work for Alice Jen
nngs now, if she is still unemployed"
"The-which ?" said Mrs. Prodgitt.
"The Gray sisters" explained Mrs. Hardy
"One ofour church organizations"
Mrs. Prodgitt glared
ais there any end to the folly and nonsense
of the present generation ?" said She
81 suppose" laughed Hattie, "that in YOU
day, Cousin Prodigy, nobody went slum
ming"
"Went-where 4" said Mrs. Prodgitt,
"Slumming!" distinctly repeated Hattie.
xyic;t in
out cases of destitution," exclaimed Mrs. Har
dy. Hattie, my child, l do wish yot
wouldn't talk slangW
Hattie disappeared with little breeze o
laughter, while Mrs. Prodgitt resettled hel
| spectacles and uttered deep groan.
| Mark my words, Mary Ann" said she
that girl will come to no goodw
Hattie does not mean any harm, Cousin
Prodgitt," mildly pleaded Mrs. Hard y, as sh,
nitted on.
While Hattie, on her errand ofmercy, wen
| from house to house in the darkling lane
and crowded tenant districts, leaving al
ounce of green tea here and lecture there,
| bottle of beef-wine and iron by sick bed,
little rose. scented snuff in poor old wo
mans hand, picture book on the pillow o
some little child, a wooden toy in the delight
ed grasp of skeleton like infant, u gentl,
| admonilion in the ear ola wilful factory-girl
| and word of comfort to encourage DIES
| pairing widow.
| She could be gay and fiippant enough whel
cousin Prodigy" teased her, but here sh,
seemed to have assumed new personality o
| dignity and sweetness.
Old Milo Reneau's was the last house OF
her list. She glanced anxiousy at her watcl
as she went in.
past five" she said to herself II mus
make haste or the dear little nanny will b,
fretting."
| The dusk of the October evening had al
ready darkened the little room, where lay tn,
patient old sufferer from rheumatism. L
was always neat and clean there, but in Hat
ties eyes it seemed more squald and power.
ty-stricken than usual tonight, AS sht
came around the corner of the door sht
perceived young man sitting at an uncover
ed pine table-a figure strongly silhouette(
against the window.
"Ah p said she, the spirit of righteous ex
ASPIRATION rising up in her heart, 80 ",
caught you at last in the very midst of you
evil practices"
The young man rose hurredly TO his feet
~ beg your PARDON" he began, but the
tide of Hattie's indignation was not thus
easily stemmed.
Don't beg my pardon" said She "Beg
the pardon OF society-of public opinion-o
everything else which you are outraging by
this shameful behaviour ofyours. Apparent
ly, you have neither pride or selfrespec
left-now take my advice; turn over new
leaf Give up your evil practices, and SCI
yourself 10 earn decent living. Look MT
in the eyes young man p she added severely
Tell me if you are not ashamed of your
selfr'
To all appearances, the culprit was stricken
dumb. Involuntarily he raised pair of clear
honest gray eyes to Hatties face, according
to orders, but he did not speak word, good
bad or Indifferent.
"He's not bad-looking," thought Hat.