The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-05-16
HEIRESS OR NO HEIRESS
Why Matte Meredith Wanted t.
Learn Homework.

The old Oxweed farmhouse was look!
ing its very best and prettiest in the
yellow August sunshine, "as Mattiel
Meredith came up the ,foot-path with
her trim travelling satchel in her hand,
Mrs. Oxweed was feeding her young
goslings at the kitchen door; she started
up to welcome the unexpected guest.
"Why, my dearie," she cried, II
thought you would be waltzing at New
port or counting over your beaux at
Saratoga before this timer'
But Matte shook her golden-brown
curls.
No." she said, 81 am tired of New
portland Saratoga don't suit me this
year. Do you know what have come
here for, Mrs. OxweedP"
81 couldn't possibly guess" said the
farmers wife, tenderly brushing the
dust from Mattie's plumed hat.
ITO learn how to do homework, "
said Matte.
''Bless me!' said Mrs. Oxweed, swhy,
what has a young lady like you to dc
with drudgeryP"
but, q0u do it, don't you?'
That's because I'm obliged to, said
Mrs. Oxweed laughing.
''And that's precisely why want to
do it, said Matte, seriously. ct ings
have changed, Mrs. Oxweed Life
looks very differently to me fir 4 what
it used to dor
'.Deary, DEAR" said the kindly farm
er's wife. 81 couldn't have believed
it. Riches has wings, says the Good
Book; and I'm sure there's proof
enough of it in this world. And your
poor ma, how does she take il, Miss
Mattie?n
Mamma is as we'll as usual" said
Matte ''But please let me come in,
and have a cup of tea, Mrs. Oxweed
I'm little tired with the journey"
ITO be sure, deary, to be sure" said
Mrs. OxWeed. ''Tea is just ready. But
I've got five boarders, Miss Matte"
Il won't be in the way" said Matte
pleadingly. "You can tuck me any
where. / should so like the little gar.
ret bedroom, Mrs. OXweed, that look;
out into the bough of the cherry tree. ,
'sAnd you shall have it my dear, and
welcome" said Mrs. Oxweed. "Bu
the two young theological students
have the big front room, and Mr.. joyce
Hazeltine, that writes funny lectures
has the back bedroom, and Mr.. Joh1
Jefferson has the room on the wing
and Lieutenant Cooper sleeps in thu
slope-roofed room off the parlor Weir
pretty well crowded, my dear. Blu
there is always room for you. !"
Il remember them all, " said Matti
with sparkling eyes, Except Mr.. Hazel
tine We used to have such merr.
times last year, didn't we!'
'And every one of 'em was dead i
love with you," said Mrs. Oxweed
'sOh, you needn't blush and look S
confused, Miss Matte; its human ma
ture, isn't itp''
And Matte, resting on the big parlo
sofa where the cool green lights site
through the maple boughs half an hou
later, could hear the voices of tn
boarders at their tea.
Miss Meredith back againp" erie
Mr.. jefferson. "Why, it will be n
newal of old times!'
Miss Meredith was most charmin
young lady, said Mr.. Dover, the eide
of the specialized young theologians.
Most remarkably So" said M
Laidlaw, the younger, who had vel
red hair and Roman nose.
THE prettiest girl l ever saw in n
life,n said Lieutenant Cooper.
"Really," exclaimed Mr.. Hazeltin
1--WE great curiosity to cultivate h
acquaintance.
Mrs. Oxweed bridled and tiuttert
with pleasure. Years ago, before 81
had married her farmer husband, 81
had been Matte Meredith's nurse, al
she loved the girl still with almost m
ternal tenderness.
''And you'll find every word they 81
is true, Mr.. Hazeltine, said she. "Br
dear me! things isn't as they used
be. I'm afraid, from what Miss Mat
has told me, that Mr. Meredith has h
bad luck with his investments. S
won't be an heiress any longer, Pc
dearr'
''EhP" said Mr.. Oxweed, pausing
his task of carving cold lamb. II
what will she do, Mary Ann?"
What other folks does, to be sure
said his wife, briskly. ''Bless
heart she amt one to sit down a
lament over spilled milk. She told
with her own lips that she had CO.
here to learn to do homework"
..Housework, eh?n said Mr. Owe
"But didn't s'pose as the young lad
called that sort o. thing genteel nov