Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-07-04

she had learned the rare lesson of a
Judicious silence, and taking the cup
that Miss Patience produced from be-
meath her shawl, she babe her visitor
be seated while she left the room to
get the desired article.
AS her steps died away Miss Patience
noiselessly arose from her seat, and
approaching the dresser upon which
the pie stood, peered curiously into
the apertures in the crust, her sharp
face expressing eager curiosity.
"I'll bet ninepence she didn't know
enough ter put crackers in. | wish |
could get one look, just ter satisfy my
own mind" she added. And, deter
mined to accomplish her object, at all
hazards, she ran knife deity around
a small portion of the edge, and, in
serting four inquisitive fingers, lifted
the brown crust and took glimpse of
the contents.
A look of unmitigated disgust passed
over her face. Dropping into a con-
venient chair, she actually groaned
aloud: well, | never an we payin'
that man $500 a year, besides dona-
ton party at Christmas. Ought"
Unsuspicious Mrs. Graham, as she
returned with the yeast, was somewhat
puzzled by the sudden freshness of her
guest, who hurried out Of the house as
if some dreadful contagion had haunt
ed it but when the minister, in cary
ing the pie that the deacon's wife had
sent, made two curious discoveries
almost simultaneously, the reason for
Miss Patience's alter dcmeanor was
made plain, and the Jung pair indulg-
ed in Il hearty laugh that made the old
parsonage ring like peal Of Thanks
giving bells.
The Tuesday following was the regu-
lar day for the weekly sewing circle,
an / seldom had that interesting gather
ing proved so lively and animated as
| Oh lllS OCCttSlcil.
Miss Patience was in the field bright
and early, and it was evident at a
glance, to those who knew her best,
that she was well-nigh bursting with
some important secret that she was
only awaiting fitting opportunity to
divulge. That opportunity was not
long coming, for Mrs. Deacon Farrell
who was constitutional croaker, took
occasion to say in reference to the
hard times:
"The deacon has been tryin' tel
collect the church tax, an he says he
never found money 50 tight in all the
years he's lived here. It's as hard ten
get five dollars now as it used ter be
ten dollars"
"And no WONDER" spoke up Miss
Patience, with the stony severity Of a
sphinx. "You can't expect folks tc
like payin' out their money when they
see it fairly thrown away an wasted.
Everybody looked curious, and some
of the younger girls began to bride
defantly. The minister's sweet young
wife was evidently Il favorite with
them, at least.
"What do you mean by that ?" asked
Mrs. Deacon, pointedly. "Mis:
Graham is young and inexperienced
to be sure but, Is the deacon was say
ing only yesterday, she does very well
indeed, considelin'."
Miss Patience tossed her head know
ingIy. Il don't want ter say nothir
to hurt her. but living next door, as
do, l can't always help SEEM and hear.
IN things tina: other folks can't be OK
/ pected to know about, an when sec
and know things like"
There was an ominous pause, and
the dcacon's wife asked eXcitedly:
Like what ~
"ChieIen pies, with the legs and
feet OF tie chicken baked III "
Had y thunderbolt fallen among
them, it could not have caused greater
surprise to these :idy, thrifty New
England housei,eepers than this dread
full revelation Of the incapacity Of the
PASTORS young wife.
"Ale You sure Of ii g. gaspei one
matron, breaking the silence.
I 81 l-r,,,r It fD, - "a ri wac so ON " "