The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-07-09
A LUCKY MISTAKE.
How HATTIE HARDY CAPTURED YOUNG
MINISTER.

nave changed since my day! When was
girl folks used to stay at home and help
their mothers do the housework, and piece
bed-quilts and embroider lace wells, in
stead of running about in all the dirty
streets and narrow lanes in creationw
She had come up from Owl Brook to
visither cousin Mary Ann, who had mar
ried Ebenezer Hardy quarter of cen
fury 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 Hat
tie Hardy, who was equipping herself
with basket, bags, parasol and waterproof
cloak, ''it is q work of mercy and charity
we are engaged in
"NonsenseW irritably cried Mrs. Prod
gift. II think you have 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 was not
considered respectable
You say truly, that times have changed
since then" mildly uttered Mrs. Hardy
who was knitting tleecy white wool by the
fire "Be sure Hattie, that you come
home early. The new minister is to be
| here tonight to tea, and Betsy can't be
trusted with the new set of moss-rose
| china"
II wonder what he is like" said Hattie,
| as she tied the deep blue strings of her hat
| into a coquettish bow under her round
| chin. 81 do hope he's young and hand
| some"
My dear" demonstrated Mrs Prodgitt
"Of course" added Hattie. 1--WE know
| that old Mr.. Pu22leton was perfect saint,
| but one don't like saints with red noses
| and spectacles and three layers of double
| chin!'
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as il she expected
| that Hattie would be struck by lightning
| on the spot for that hcretical remark.
"Harrictp' 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 Cobb
| lane, Hattie. And if you go to Milo Re-
neau's l 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 support the old folks"
| "Oh, yes! ] am glad you mentioned
that, said Hattie, penciling an entry on
her tablets. "Mem-To give Gilbert Re-
neau piece of my mind"
Hattie, on her GRAND of mercy went
from house to house in the darlened lane
and crowded tenement districts. She could
be gay and Hippant enough when "Cousin
Prodigy teased her, but here she seemed
to have assumed new personality of
dignity and sweetness.
Old Milo Reneau's was the last house on
her list She glanced anxously at her
"t' en. Us : s y c, went nv; N; h,o,s at
| "fast D, she said 10 hcrsel1; II must
make haste, or the dear little mamma
will be fretting.
The dusk Of the October evening had
already darkened the little room where
lay the parent ola sufferer from rheQmoc
tsm; AS she came around the corner OF
me door she perceived young man SIT
| tinp nt lInpnVprp1 nina tnhIn-n tipurp
stTongiE slln0uetteu uSalns! the winuoW'
An SAID snc, the spirit OF rlghteous
eNasperaLoh rising up IN her heart, so
l,Ec caughi you at last III the very midst
OF your evll pracucesF
The young man rose hurriedlv TO his
rect; 80,
II peg your PARDON, ne began, put
the tide OF Hattie's indignation was not
mus easily steihihed.
"Dont beg my pardon" she sad. beg
the PARDON OF soclety-oi pupuc oplnion-
OF everything else Whlch you are outrag-
ing by inns shameiul pehaylor oil yours.
apparently you nave ieilher pTlue nor
seli-respect LETT. Now, take my advice
urn over new zeal. give up your eVll
Pracuces ana SET yoursell 10 earn ueceni,
lVlng. LOOK me IN the eyes, young man,
she added, severely. Tel me if you are
not ashamed OF yourseliI
To all appearances tie culprit was
stricken dumb. Involuntary he raised
q pair OF clear, honcstgray eyes to Hattie $
lace according to orders, but he did
not speak word, good, Dad, or lndit-
ierent;
"ies not bad looking, thought Hat
ue, put must not neglect the chance OF
making an impression. II am surprised at
you: she ADDED aloud. "A great aDle'
6odlcd ieiloW llKe you settiihg down as q
dlsreputaple incubus on your friends ana
relatives Don't you Know you are the
talk OF ne nelghporhoodF Get up-So TO
WORK! Never let me see you ldlihg mere
AGAIN NO; dont answer me. never
enter INTO argument with the people III
my district, Logic IS useless in case
ike TINS
She hurried to old Milo, who, BENG
stone deaf, looked smllingly, ON durine
TINS brlei but energetic monologue rs II II
had been recitation from Shakespeare
Heres some extract OF beef for you
Mr.. Reneau She shouted in his, ear,
: land a tumbler of lemon, jelly hope
your lumbago is better, I'm sorry, ] cant
stay little longer to-day, but I'll como
And n6dding, and smiling good-by tC
him, she hustled away
She arrived none too soon ON the do
mGstic tapis;
Betsy had already broken one OF thl
moss.rose teaCups and spilled all the saia(
dressing, so THAT Hattie had to go to Worl