The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-09-10
COUSIN PRODIGY. -

OOOblN ltODN L.
"Ah,' said Mrs. Pro lgilt, "things
have changed since my day When l
was girl, folks usel to stay at home
and help their mothers 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 crcationp'
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 Ebenczer Hardy quarter of II
century ago and settled down in New
York; and, as she expressed herself,
'things seemed to be all turned topsy-
turvy."
"But, Cousin Prodigy" said saucy
Hattie Hardy, who was equipping her
self with basket, bag, parasol and
waterproof cloak lit is Il work of
mercy and charity that we are engaged
in.
"Nonscnsel" irritably cried Mrs.
Prodgitt. 81 think you've all gone
crazy together" I'm surprised at
you, Mary Ann, to let the child go
tramping all over the city by herself
In my day it wasn't considered re
spectacle"
"You say truly that times have
changed since then" mildly uttered
Mrs. Hardy, who was knitting ilcecy
wool by the fire. BE sure, Hattie,
that you come early. The new minis.
lister is to be here tonight to tea, and
Betsy can't be trusted with the new set
of mOss-fose china.
II wonder what he is like p said
Hattie, as she tied the deep blue
strings of her hat into coquettish
bow under her round chin. 81 do
hope he's young and handsome.
My dear - demonstrated Mrs.
Prodgitt.
"Of course" added Hattie, eve
knew that old Mr.. Puzzleton was
perfect saint; but one don't like saints
with red noses and spcctacles and
three layers of double chin !"
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as If she cx-
pected that Hattie would be struck by
lightning on the spot for that hereti-
cal remark.
Harriet !" was all that she could
utter.
While Mrs. Hardy, more accustomed
to the audaciOus speeches of her pretty
daughter, went on, in her purring,
sing. song tones:
Don't forget that poor widow in
Cob lane, Hattie. And if you go to
Milo Rencaus, think it would be well
to speak n 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"
ooh, yes I'm glad you mentioned
that, said Hattie, penciling an entry
on her little tablets, 'Mem-to give
Jonas Reneau a piece of my mind
Dear Mr. PuZzleton always said that
that young man was dreadful stumb-
ling block -
"And think, went on Mrs. Hardy,
chat the Gray sisters can find work
for Alice Jennings now, if she is still
unemployed. "
The which p said Mrs. Prodgitt.
"Thc Gray sisters" explained Mrs.
Hardy. Zone of our church organiza-
tions."
Mrs. Prodgitt glarcd,
'ls there any end to the folly and
nonsense of the present generation 2"
said she.
Il suppose" laughed Hattie, chat
in your day, Cousin Prodigy, nobody
went summing"
"Went-where? ?" said Mrs Prodgitt.
"Slumming!' distinctly repeated
Hattie.
"Shc means visiting the poor and
seeking out cases of destitution," cX-
planned Mrs. Hardy. "lIattie, my
child, do wish you wouldn't talk
slang!"
Hattie disappeared with little
breeze of laughter, while Mrs, Prodgitt
rcscttlcd her spectacles and uttered II
deep groan.
Mark my words, Mary Ann" said
she, THAT girl will come to no good. A"
Hattie does not mean any harm,
Cousin Prodgitt" mildly pleaded Mrs,
Hardy, us she knitted ON,
While Hattie, ON her crrand of
mercy, went from house to house in
the darkling lanes and crowded tene
mcnt districts, leaving an ounce of
green tea here and lecture there, Il
| bottle of beef, wine and iron by sick
bed, little rose scented snulr in a
poor old woman's hand, n picture
book on the pillow of some little child,
Il wooden toy in the delighted grasp of
Il skcleton-like infant, II gentle admoni-
ton in the ear Of willful factory girl,
| and word of comfort to encourage a
| dcspairing widow,
She could be gay and tlippant enough
when cousin Prodigy leased her, but
here she seemed to have assumed Il
personality of dignity and sweetness
Old Milo Rcncau was the last house
ON her list She glanced anXiously ut
| her watch rs she went in,
Past five she said to herself /
must make haste or the dear little
nanny will be fretting,"
The dusk of the October evening had
already dmliencd the little room, where
lay the patient old sufferer from rhcu-
| matism. 1t was always neat and clean
there, but in llattie's eyes It seemed
more squalid and poverty stricken than
usual tonight, As she came around
the corner of the door she perceived q
young man sitting ut an uncovered pine
tablc-a figure strongly silhoutted
against the window.
"AhI' said she, the spirit of right
enous evaporation rising up in her
heart, I've caught you at last in the
very midst of your evil practices
The young man rose hurricdly to his
feet
II beg your pardon" he began
but the tide of IIattio's Indignation was
not thus easily stemmed.
Don't beg my pardon" said she