The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-12-02
MARY'S OUNCES.

SS~~ ~ < - ~~' ~~~~s
$50 you won't give us nothin' for the
subscription" said Mrs. Biggard, fold
ing her mittened hands SIMULTANEOUSLY
upon her lap. Remember, Mary Hay,
he who giveth to tho poor lendeth to
the Lord"
''Yes, know, Mrs. Biggard," said
Mary Hay, with the color coming and
going on her cheek, while sense of the
ridiculous strovc within her, against a
meek consciousness of the solem-
nifty of the words just quoted; "but
the farm hasn't done as well this
year as we expected it to do, and until
all the outstanding debts arc paid think
it would be scarcely just to indulge my
self in the luxury of subscribing to the
Fund for the Evangelizing of the Eboe
Indians"
11rs. Biggard claspcd the little, rcd
morocco subscription book with click
ing sound.
"Humph" said she, "Why don't you
say at once that you'd rather spend your
money in navy-blue silk gowns and flashy
bonnets Z"
Mary rcddened to the roots of her
hair.
Perhaps you are not aware, Mrs.
Biggard," said she, "that the navy-bluc
dress was mothers old one, dyed over at
home, and that the bonnet was present
from my aunt in Springfield"
"All very well to talk" sputtcred
Mrs. Biggard, shaking out her multitu,
dinous founccs. "But know that Mr.
Mildmay will be powerfully disap-
p'inted. He expects somethin' besides
empty talk from the ladies of the flock"
Once more the roscate color sutfused
Mary's cheek.
my duty is my duty said she, "antl
I cannot swervc from it to please any
one--not even Mr.. Mildmay"
And the amiab.e Mrs. Biggard went
straight to the rcctory and told Mr..
Mildmay "that Mary Hay said she
warn't a-goin' to subscribe to the fund,
to please Mr.. Mildmay nor any one
tlse."
The rector listened in silence, but he
was conscious of pang of inward annoy.
| -.1e.
He had scarcely expected so curt {
message from Mary Hay, in whose dove.
like blue eyes he had SO often read the
light of sympathy, whose down-cast
head reminded him OF the beautiful
"Mater Dolorosa."
$50 different from my Ruey, now,
amt she2" said Mrs. Biggard. "Why
Ruey she's fairly walked through thu
coles of pair O. boots a-solicitin' sub
scrirtions for the fund. There nevlI
was nobody so devolt as she is. Anc
she wants to know-my Rucy does
whether she and Almiry shan't come owe
to the rectory an put up the parlo
curtains for you this afternoon"
'Thank youw said Mr.. Mlldmay, will
something of an embarrassed air; ''bu
I dare say that Bridget will do yer,
we'll. Iwould't trouble Miss Zeruiah
and"
"Oh, it won't be no trouble at all |!
said Mrs. Biggard.
And off she trudged to give the need
full directions to Zeruiah and Alm;ra, he
two lean, middle-aged daughters.
II do feel such a mothcrly sympath
for bacheldore clergyman y said sh
"Thcrc amt no more helpless creetur O
tn face of the earth"
| While Mary Hay, busy at her work i
the farmhouse kitchen, was puzz'ing he
brains to think up some possible or i'm
possible plan 10 get little moneyto hel
kind Mr.. Mildmay's plan along.
~ wish l could spare something" sh
said, "if it was only dollar!''
81 wish you could, my dear!" sal
gentle Mrs. Hay. who had overheard th
| eager words.
''Mother," cried Mary, "there are til
} quinces-the ounces down by the raj
roadl Why couldn't sell them at th
= storal The trees hang full this yea
5 snd the fruit is beautifully perfect!'
81 never thonght of that" said Mr.
Hay. "We'll go tomorrow and gath,
$ them, Mary--you and l."
Mary went singing about her wor
that afternoon. Her heart was light
eny feather Why, why had she not r
e membered the quince-tree befor
Quinc:s were rare aud high-priccd III
season, and she thought she was certa
9 Of at least five dollar, for the crop.
But the next day. when she and b
: mother Mrs. Hay carrying the bask
and Mary merrily trundling the barro
{ along before her went down to &
orchard, whose slopes extended to {