The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-03-31
WHILE A-SLUMMfNG.


"Ah. said Mrs. Prodgitt, things
have changed since my day. When
| / was girl, folks used to stay at
home aud help their mothers do the
homework, and piece bed-quilts,
and embroider lace wells, instead OF
running about all the dirty streets
and narrow lanes in creation y
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 quar-
ter of centuary ago and settled
down in New York and, as she ex-
pressed herself things seemed to be
all turned topsyturvy.
But, Cousin Prodigy, said saucy
Hattie Hardy, who was equipping
herself with basket, bag, parascl and
waterproof cloak, ''it Is work OF
mercy and charity that we are en-
gagged in"
Nonsense !" irritably cried Mrs.
Prodgitt. IL think you've all gone
crazy together I'm surprised at
you, Mary Ann, to let the child 60
tramping all over the city oy her
self In my day it wasn't consid-
cred respectable. "
you say truly that times have
changed since then, mildly uttered
Mrs. Hardy, who was knitting
/ fieecy wool by the fire. BE sure, Hat
tie, that you come home early. The
new minister is to be here tonight
to tea. and Beisey can't be trusted
with the new set of moss rose china.
Il wonder what he is like ?" said
Hattie. as she tied the deep blue
strings of her hat into coquettish
bow under her round chin. Il do
hope he's young and handsome"
"My DEAR" demonstrated Mrs
Prodsitt.
"Of course said Hattie, I'VE all
know that old Mr.. Puzzleton was
perfect saint but one don't like
saints with red noses and spectacles
and three layers of double chin !"
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as if she ex-
pected that Hattie would be struck
! by lightning on the spot for tnat
heretical remark.
Harriet" was all that she could
utter.
While Mrs. Hardy, more accus-
toned to the audacious speeches OF
her pretty daughter, went on in her
purTing, singsong tones:
Don't forget that poor widow III
I Coblane, Hattie. And if you go to
Milo Reneau's, | think it will be
well to speak Il 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, yesl I'm glad you mentioned
that, said Hattie, penciling an en-
try on her little tablets. Mem
to give to Jones Reneau piece OF
my mind Dear Mr. Puzzleton al
WAYS said that young man was
dreadful stumbling block J"
"And l think" west on Mrs.
Hardy, that the Gray sisters can
find work for Alice Jennings now,
if she is still unemployed"
The which ?" said Mrs Prodgitt,
"The Gray sisters" exclaimed
Mrs. Hardy. "One cf our church
organizations"
Mrs. Prodgitt giared.
as there any end to the folly and
nonsense of the present generation 2
said she.
"Isuppose," laughed Hattie, that
in your day, Cousin Prodigy. nobody
went Summing
"Went-where?" said Mrs. Prod
gilt.
"Slummingl" distinctly repeated
Hattie.
She means visiting the poor and
seeking out cases OF desututioa,
exclaimed Mrs. Hardy. Hattie,
my child, | do wish you wouldn't
talk slang"
Hattie disappeared with a little
breeze of laughter, while Mrs. Prod
gift resettled her spectacles and ut
tered a deep groan. :.
MARK my words, Mary Ann,
said she, that girl viii come to no
good
Hattie does not mean any harm,
Cousin Prodgitt," mildly pleaded
Mrs. Hardy, as she knitted on.
While Hattie, on her errand OF
mercy, went from house to house IN
the darkling lanes and crowded ten
ement districts, leaving an ounce OF
green tea here and a lecture there,
bottle OF beef, wine and iron bv a
sick bed, little rose-scented snuff
in poor cd woman's hand, a pic
ture-hook on the pillow of some
little child. wooden toy IN the
delighted grasp OF skeletoniike IN
fant. q gentle admonition in the ear
OF a willful faetory-girl, and word
of comfort TO encourage dcspairing
widow.
She could be gay and flippant
enough when Cousin Prodgy" teas
ed her. but here she seemed to have
assumed personality of dignity and
sweetness
Old Milo Renesu's was the last
house on her list. She glanced
anxiously at her watch as she went
10.
.spact f;ra che said tn herself al