The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-03-18
JOG UNEXPECTED.

1t was she week before Christmas, and
Miss Polly Pritchard sat alono in her
little room. diligently at work.
So far it had been hard winter with
tho ground all iron-bound with cruel
frost; the river clad in steely links of
ice, the sky full of snow. and wind, and
tempest. But Miss Polly was very COM
Portable in the little red farm house, of
which she occupied one wing, the other
being rented out to Farmer Gribbage
and his wife.
There was always cheerful fire of
logs blazing on the open hearth, always
aplant at the window, and cat purring
on the rug.
ITO be sure, it's rather lonely" said
the little old maid to herself, never to
hayo soul to speak to. But it is what
one must expect when ono outliyc's
ones family and friends!'
So she sat here on this grey winters
afternoon, singing some half-forgotten
song, and plying her busy needle, when
Mrs. Gribbage, the farmers wife, came
in.
"Dolls, ! declaro!n she exclaimed
looking at the boxes on the table; and,
rs her quick eye fell on the work in Miss
Polly's hand, she added: "And, as true
y
eyes, said Miss Polly, colorinr O
soft autumnal pink.
For the toy-shop?" said inquisitivc
Mrs Gribbagc.
"Well--no" acknowledged Miss Pol
ly. They are for the little girls in the
orphan asylum. They don't have any
one to think of their Christmas, you
know"
''Wcll, l dcclarcr' reiterated Mrs.
Gribbagc. "Why, there's eighteen of
EN-. You don't mean to say that you're
dressing eighteen dolls?"
"Yes," said Miss Polly in deprecatng
tones.
"Humph! Well, I just came in to tell
you that I'm goingup to Miss Georgietta
Fullcrton's to tea.'
care you?" said Miss Polly.
Mrs. Gribbagc nodded complaccntly.
Didn't they ask youp" said She
Miss Polly shook her head
"Well, it's your own fault" said Mrs.
Gribbage, not without aspcrity. look
Mt that old faded turned dress of yours.
Miss Gcorgietta Fullerton is very particu-
lar about her dress. And now that she
is. engaged to be married to tho
miniStpr---'
MISS Polly gave the least pcrceptible
start ut these words, and asked:
"lS she engaged to be married to
him9'
$50 folks say" complaccntly an
Swcrcd Mrs. GribbaSc. And l don't
suppose he could have made Il better
match. Miss Fullerton is IN excellent
honscSccpcr, and has got Il little money
OF her own. And it is high time there
was someone at the parsonage to keep
those four noisy children in order"
And Mrs. Gribbam1 sailed away in
her rustling silk gown and red pInmcd
nat, leaving Miss Polly alone with her
dolls
The parson sat alone, also, that grew
threatening December afternoon, in his
little study, with Il heap of sermon-paper
in front of him.
He had sat down to write his Christmas
sermon; but, somehow. the ideas refused
to come.
There was general aspect OF forlorn-
ness about the room, which the poor
man realized, but could not explain.
"Its all very uncomfortable, said Mr..
Mcllcn to himself, biting thouohtfully
ut The feather end of uis quill-pcn.
And, somehow, always feel it more
at Christmas time than at any other
Hear those children scream! One
would think they might play withou;
making quite so much noise But the,
are not managed as they were when
poor Isabel was alive. Isupposc am not
a good disciplinarian, or perhaps
should have them in better training
Really, don't know but that the good
iadies in my congregation are right, and
that | ought To-"
"GCt married againlm Robbie NIcllcn',
shrill little voice uttered, Just at this
moment. ooh, | like that! That's ;
urctty note! Our father get married
again! Nonsense, Bell; someone ha.
been cramming you"'
"But it's true" rctortcd little Roll
full Of Indignation, "and YOU needn'
laugh. | heard old Miss Grampus sa,
SO to Miss Collyer, last week, when thcy
all thought l was asleep on the bed, a
Sewing Socioty-that papa was going tC
marry again"
WHO was it?" brcathlcssly demand
cd jamie, tall girl of eleven. .|Thr
lady, mcaT?"
They didn't say" Bell answered.
miss Georgia Fullerton, | botr
shouted Robbie. "Oh, wouldn't like
her for mother"
"Who would you like?" rotortod
jamie scornfully.
"Oh, don't know" answered Rob
bic. mot her, anyhow. She scowlcd
at me one day when 1 stopped on the
train OF her dress. And / heard he,
say, Clumsy boy? to her sister" "
,"And she was very right" didactic
IDLY observed jamie. You are a cluns,
boy, Rob"
"Perhaps,n said John, tits Mrs
Bricknor. There's ~ sumner for yon
Amt she always dressed like the Queen
of Shebap"
II cant bear Mrs Briclnor," said
Bell "She laughs too loud, and her false
teeth don'C fit, and l don't think She
likes little boys and girls. She looked
real cross at the birthday-party when
we had them funny games, and told
Mrs, Fenwiok that she didn't tbinI
children ought to be allowed to make SC