The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1885-05-16
MARGERY DAW.
Why She Sold Hor Bod and Lazy
on Straw.

II you are n critic, perhaps You had
better read no further, You will say |
this is not'much Of II story, which IL
true You viii say II lacks incident,
which Is also true. And II you are Of
that most ytralost sect Of critics, who |
speak out their whole minds, you will
at one stage Of It say that she who tells
II IL n supcrstilious old ldlot--of which |
one-third is true am old, but not
snperstitous, and, thank Providence,
not an IDIOT My name is Margcry
Daw. Truly and honestly, Margery
Daw. And sorry am TO think that II
must have been some dlsreputable an
eestress Of mine who inspired that
nursery rhyme
q gHe Raty Margury Uaw
Sold her bed and lay on straw"
However, ms have not inherited her
disregard of cleanliness and comfort,
and Us the song has pleased many n
generation of children, and, moreover,
a. our race. so far as known, has never
done anything else for the public good.
why. perhaps, We ought to be proud OF
shat other Margery Dsw, after all.
When ! was n child my name was q
burden 10 me, because other children,
whose names were unknown IN song or
story But, dear mel What does any
one care for what annoyed me fifty
years agop
am spinster (who spins not,
unless IL he the thread Of this'narratiye).
and. although old enough to have more
sense, II gives me satisfaction to say that
am spnsler from choice.
Moreover am wealthy spinsler,
aud live In the old mansion in which /
was born. surrounded By the massive
furniture which was In II long before
my tmo.
Eighteen years ago, my only brother
and his wife died. leaving TO me their
little girl, who, against my wishes, had
been named for me, Margery.
More than three years ago, Mt Broad
Harbor. we met an artist, Paul Glenn,
By name. He was an artist and he was
poor; aud from what saw Of his paint
ing, he was poor artist. And yes.
| will tell the truth he was the son u
a man who. In my girlhood mol That
secret II mine alone. doubt II shall
be- made to tell II on the last day even.
Only WHEN Guy Glenn's boy asked me
for Margery said Noinol while lived.
After we returned home. they must
have met frequently, and on the morn
ing of February fourteenth. Margery
came and put her arms around me and
/ kissed me. Her lnshes were wet with
tears when she laid her face against
mine, and "a i she was going out That
morning my little Margery whose baby
smilos had checred my broken heart.
passed out Of my life, leaving me rs she
found me, childless and alone. In the
evening a messenger left n note from
her. She had gone out TO be married 70
Paul Glenn.
Ny heart was ever one 10 know it, own
bitterness. but 10 hide II from others.
SO Margory 4 room was shut up, m she
left II. and, rs ! said, she passed out OF
my life.
/ have not been well for some months,
and have not strength enough TO 20 uT
and down stairs often.
have always used my fathers sec
retnry. which stands where he left II In
the library. Feeling the need Of dess
In my own room. and wishing II TO cor
respond with the other furniture, droY,
to sighfor' and bought an old-fashionet
little writing-iable, which vas places
near my bedside.
was awakened that night by curl
ous scratching sound IN this table
Thinking that stray mouse had taker
refuge there, |, who had lived in an old
house long enough 10 be philosophlca
about such visitors. soon fell asleeI
again.
The next day carefully busted mj
new piece offurniture. aud had arrange,
In Il my paper, envelopes, postal cards
etc, when. upon opening little drawer
| discovered q lead.pencil and q shee
Of paper half covered with writing
Nov. understand. Il was not a secru
drawer. nor was the paper yellow witt
age. II was modern Irish linen wriiInI
paper. which h ad probably bee
evolved during the last year from ilaz
seed.
am not superstitious. but / coufes
the Thompson Wave" which orna
ments ms head. nearly stood on en-
with fright, when, remembering N
! mysterious scratching OF The night b.
fore, read the following;
rHs rHrs sToHs oS ssHansY pAw.
SEE, sa-l Aarrpry Dsw
sola her bed and lay on strsw."
Lnarsery Daw, died one hundred and afi
T Years ago and had lived just tvsutyt~
a years. This little writing table vaa given
me on my hfteenth birthday, By the dear sun
Who had teen Father. Aothsf. svefythas
me, since could remember
Tear - she wss TO rne. The time cane whs
1 had tD eheose between her and ups dear
= till And on February fourteenth. In u
}. rear IDA leff ny aunts houss. ard vss ms
: RED 20 viii Gi<essz. After tai. sAe Frfns'
: 70 see Or eglnnunissie VII -: eui e
for ker. vish The rest mis- lisfie writins DE-
o N vorh: hus in I few mnnfbs he health foIie
!, ard soon. sasissy sn1 poverty brues me se~
q. y r.: q. -, .z -: 1890 - I!
. these - ION eniy taiz ds.k. 4 lev esalrA =
n1.ilr, literally sn1 sFHIf. seid ~ ~, y
2 ~ = srsvs - g iAss s.rss: -
: sEsl1l1n. = = fHiensinss pay. =
' =. - 1.---.1e~1 :,