Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-02-27
HATTIE'S MISTAKE.

have changed since my day When 1
was girl, folks used to stay at home
and help their mothers to do the house
work, and piece bed-quilts, and EN-
broider lace wells, instead of running
about In all the dirty streets and mar
row lanes in creation !"
Mrs. Prodgitt 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 a
century ago, and settled down ia New
York; and, as she expressed herself,
"things all seemed to be turned topsy-
turvy."
"But, Cousin Prodigy" said saucy
Hattie Hardy, who was equipping her
self with basket, bag, parasol and wa
terproof cloak, "it is work of mercy
and charity that we are engaged in"
''Nonsensel' irritably cried Mrs.
Prodgitt. 81 think you've all gone
crazy together! I'm surprised at you,
Mary Ann, to let the child 20 tramping
all over the city by herself. In my day
it wasn't considered respectable"
You say truthfully that times have
changed since them" mildly uttered
Mrs. Hardy, who was knitting 6eecy,
white wool in her rocker.
"Be sure, Hattie, that you come home
early. The new minister is to be here
tonight to tea, and Betsy can't be trust
ed with the new set of moss-rose china" "
81 wonder what he is like?" said Hat
tie, as she tied the deep blue strings OF
her hood into coQuettish bow under
her round chin. 81 do hope he's young
and handsome"
"My dear !" demonstrated Mrs. Prod
gilt.
"Of course" said Hattie, 1--WE know
that old MI. Puzzleton was a perfect
saint; but one don't like saints with
red noses and spectacles, and three lay
ers of double chin! I"
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as If she expect
ed that Hattie would be struck by light
ming on the spot for that heretical re-
mark.
"Harriet!" was all she could utter.
While Mrs. Hardy, more accustomed
to the audacious speeches Of her pretty
daughter, went on, in her purring,
singsong tones:
"Don't forget that poor widow In
Coblane, Hattie. And if you go 10 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 nothing to sup
port the old folks"
"Oh, yesl I'm glad you mentioned
that" said Hattie, penciling an entry
on her little table: "Mem.- To give Jo-
mas Reneau piece of my mind Dear
Mr.. Puzzleton always said that young
man was n dreadful stumbling-block "
"And think" went on Mrs. Hardy,
"that the Gray Sisters can find work
for Alice Jennings now, IL she is still
unemployed"
"The-which? ?" said Mrs. Prodgitt.
''The Gray Sisters" explained Mrs.
Hardy, sis one of our church organiza-
tons" -.....
Mrs. Prodgltt glared.
81 suppose" laughed Hattie, "thst
in your day, Cousin Prodigy, nobody
went slumming!"
'ewent-wheres" ?" said Mrs. Prodgitt.
"Slumming" distinctly repeated
Hattie. It..
"She means visiting the poor, and
seeking out cases OF destitution," ex-
planned Mrs. Hardy. Hattie, my child,
do wish you wouldn't talk slsngW
Hattie disappeared with little breeze
of laughter, while Mrs. ProLgitt reset
tied her spectacles and uttered deer
groan. t.tIt- sir gl..r.I
"Mark my words, Mary Ann" sale
she, "that girl will come to no gocd!"
Hattie doesn't mean any harm, Cous'
in Prodgitt," mildly pleaded Mrs. Har'
dy, as she knitted on.
While Hattie, on her errand Of mercy
went from house to house In the dark
ling lanes and crowded tenement dis
tricts, leaving an ounce Of green TEL
here and q lecture there, a bottle o
beef wine and iron by sick-bed, Lit
tie rose-scented snuff in poor OLE
woman's hand, picture-book on th'
! pillow of some littls child, wooden toy