The Somerset reporter., 1885-05-13

hUot fUc wac pitdfto WIN DtE fOODt j
walked softly by the door, and glanced in.
She was standing by the dainty bed, close
y examining the sheets and pillow cases.
"H'm, him." ] heard her mutter, cotton,
ell EN-; gentlefolks used linen 10 my day."
and then she sighed heavily.
The autumn days went swiftly by, and
TIE cold snowy days Of winter came. Miss
Bashby had been with us LOW two months,
and We got on very well. Keturah WAS
most patient of US all, and won golden
| opinions from mother. The boys were
courteous and respectful, but said very lit
tie to Miss Bashby; think they were
| afraid Of her. Little Joey we tried to keep
oct Of her way altogether, as the only time
be visited her room she said she didnt like
4 little boys. But the gaze OF bsr large
round spectacles, and the sharp click OF her
Il Knitting needles, had curious fascination
for the little man. Often when he WAS un-
usually quiet, on bunting him up, be was
found just outside Miss Bashby's door.
Once, on coming to take him away, l heard
him ak soleunly, with his brown eyes
| fixed on her wrinkled face
"Whst makes you look SO Miss Bashby |?
You look all wlzzled up! Is YOU skin too
big for you"
One day 10 January, a cold, clear, frosty
| day, there came a letter saying Aunt Mary
was very Ill.
After hurried consultation. 1t was de-
cided that mother should start at once for
Brunswick, where Aunt Mary lived, and
that father should accompany her. After
many hasty directions to Keturah and me,
they started to catch the early train. Moth.
er's last words were, "Be kind to Miss
Bashby"
For few days things went very well.
The boys we're less unruly than usual.
Miss Bashby was quite amiable for her,
and Keturah was as sunny as a May morn
ing. But the peace was of short duration.
One morning on going down the cellar
stairs, Keturah slipped and sprained her
ankle. It was very painful, and poor Ket-
urah, with many gasps and gIoans, could
do nothing but lie helpless on the kitchen
lounge and give directions about the work.
"Keturah," l would question, as, with
sleeves rolled up and long apron on, l
went resolutely to work, chow much mo-
lasses do you put in the gingerbread"
30 Miss Sadie Miss Sadiel" poor Ket.
lynn here like log, and you, such little
spindlin' creeter, dom my work. Oh
dear Oh dear!"
"But, Keturab, do tell me how much mo-
lasses, or shall never get the gingerbread
DONE"
"oh land Bring me the jug, and I'll
measure 1t for you Goodness child Not
that two quart bowl! What are you think
in Off 1t only takes cupful. 0 Lord
to think of Keturah Skinner ever coming
to this pass!" and SO on during the long
day.
Miss Bashby was pirticularly disagreea-
BILE just at this crisis, No wonder she
complained of the cooking. Poor Ksturab,
lying helpless on the lounge, couldn't see
to everything, and SO the bread was heavy,
the pie crust like dough, and the coffee
very unsettled beverage.
TIE boys, good fellows laughed and
joked about it; said they never enjoyed any
thing so much in their lives. But Miss Bash
by-she said nothing, but the gesture of
disgust with which she pushed away her
plate at table, and gathering her shawl
about her marched majesticaliy to her
room and shut the door, was worse than
anything we had to bear. Poor Keturah,
with her promise TO mother fresh in her
memory, could ouy shut her mouth reso-
'utely and groan
One bright, cold Wednesday afternoon,
Keturab whose foot now allowed Der to
hobble ABOUT little, WAS helping me finish
the kitchen works and Miss Bashby was
safely shut up in her den, when Will and
1NCu iuSutu pcll-iucii iutO Vic hit1uSu1 Will
q loud demand for joey
"Just let US take him on the ice while
We won't keep him long. 1t is such a
splendid day; the ice is firm as can be, no
danger at all. Get the little chap ready,
that's good sister, and hurry up about it;
We can't wait.
With a questioning look at Keturah,
which she ans wered with an emphatic nod
/ FASTENED to get the little cap and mi tens
and gray ulster, while the proud owner Of
these boyish garments danced and pranced
and wiggled with delight. till l could
scarcely get them on, and | only had time
for II word of caution before grand rush
was made for the door, and Joey was off in
high glee.
"Old DR.. Wilbur is a-hitchin' up his
team" said Keturah, as she glanced out of
the window for a last look at the retreating
boys. ~ guess some of them poor trash
over to Hingham's Corner is took sick
again. They alwus send for DR.. Wilbur,
cause he alwus goes when they send, and
he never charges 'em nothin.' Them Kind
is mighty 'cuteW
Smiling at Keturah's philosophy, has
tened my work Of getting thu kitchen tidy.
Presently Miss Bashby made her appear.
ance at the kitchen door.
sadie Allen" she said solemnly, ''Im
going to lie down for my afternoon nap.
If any of the neighbours should come in
and inquire for me, don't disturb me on
any account. | can't be broken of my
rest" Then she shut the door and walked
slowly back to her room.
"Land o'ove!' said Keturah. -" 'Ef
any of the neighbors calln Lord help u.s.
Did ye ever hear the likes of that! I'll risk
their askin!'
"Keturah Keturah!' said I, grsvey as
could, though my lips twitched in spite
of me. "Don't you forget what mother
said about
"Now, Sadie Allen" retorted my irate
help, '.you know | wouldn't SO much as
hurt a spear of her hair, and she amt got
many but she is most awful aggrvatin,
that you'll allow"
Yes, would allow it.
But bark What was that? Loud shouts,
followed by an ominous silence, and then
wild, confused murmur OF steps and
voices. Keturah and gazed at each other
in dismay. Suddenly the kitchen door
opel ed, and Will, with cap and coat off,
With disheveied hair and face as white as
death, staggered into the room and flung
himself into a chair, covering his face
with his hands.
"Will!" said |, breathlessly.
"Will Allen!" gasped Keturah, rushing
to his side, and tearing his hands away
from his face. "What is it? Tell us,
quickl"
"Oh' gloaLed the poor bop. 80 moth
erl motherl And you left him in my
carel o Joey! Joeyw
"What about Joey? o viii what has
happened to Joey!"
"Drowned! said Will, desperately.
"Went down through breathing hole.
They fshed him out, but, oh dear he's
dead 0 joey! joey! They're bringing
him home
There was tramping of feet outside the
door, and crowd of men and boys entered,
one among them bearing dripping half.
frozen burden In his arms.
Was that our Joey?-the little white face
set ana rigid, the small hands hanging
helplessly down, the brown eyes closed,
and the long hair, wet and shining flung