Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-08-01
CHAPTER XIII.
MRS. MEAD RETURNS TO GREYsroxr.

| bold up my head il they got saving il were
Judith Mead as helped Michaers girl to room
away and leave her character behind her. -
said Mrs Mead TO herself rs the wagon
drove off; and upon loosenel truss of hay she
sat, right in the center of the vehicle, staring
out of the shadow at the pretty little inn
that was dropping behind
1t was eleven O'Clock when they arrived a.
| the top Of the High street Of Greystone
"Thisll do, mister" exclaimed Mrs Mead,
who had no opinion Of Johnny as a driver,
| and vas weary of the jolting inflicted OH
her, and the miserably slow way they made;
.ye needn't 20 no further
Johnny, however, refused to take any
notice of her request There was an ale
house some distance down the street and not
until the wagon was abreast II it did he cry,
whoa" Then dropping from his perch,
with trife OF briskness In the action. he
came round to the back Of the cart and
aid, "Ye can get down here il ye 10 Ike F"
The old woman scrambled down as best
she could, and Johnny looked on with a grin
at her boots. Then correcting his smile as
she faced round upon him. he said:
This here's the Wheatshea and the laveJ
in the liquor is as foine as though 'twar all
room stool"
~Ye're welcome 10 drink as much as liver
they'll trust ye with" replied Mrs Mead
tartly
Aren't ye goIn' to stand srlmmatr cried
the man.
YES, half pint o vinegar. II ye're good
to drink it." answered the old woman.
"Go along. or I'll get We drownt for
WITCH shouted the disappointed Johnny;
and off he went, chuckling audibly.
Not ten yards, however. could she 20 with
out meeting All acquaintance Who should
his he but old Mrs Bruif. going 10 her snuff
shop in George street, with her dinner in
paper parcel.
Good mornin', Mrs. Mead. How are
yOu' 'Tis an age sin l seen We my way"
"Ihs middlin' well thank 'ee, Mrs. Bruff.
As 10 comm your way, what hath snuff t.
say to a lone old cratur' that counts her val
ley in fariensi The flies, thcy do tickle.
truly. Them and the dogs knows whats
good" exclaimed Mrs. Mead, with glance
at the paper parcel And doth not the par
son say that prosperity draws strange things
to III"
@Ye're alters quizzing, Mrs Mead Pros I
perity, indeed! Five and fourpence was my
airniugs last week; scarce three loaves in it
thanks to them wagabnne French, as it's
missy for them amt man"
well and We give me nc newsl That two
gossips should roast i this heat with nothing
to sayl But they're wonderful liars i Grey
stone," said Mrs Mead
"News-to thee" cri.i Mrs Rruff, with a
ludicrous toSs of the head "Why, here |
stand for truth; for, rs you say, they're
dreadful liars i Grey stone"
The truth o whst,'
"But you know'' exclaimed Mrs Bruff.
looking at her oil companion with absurd
inrredulity in her face.
Il do not know" replied Mrs. Mead, with
tho eagerness of a born gossip. a am this
minute arrived from Winston. and If any
thing hath happd Pm as strange to it as a
unborn infant"
@Why, them said Mrs. Bruff, spenking |
slowly, and with evident sense of superiority, |
ats everywheres towd that Mike Strang- |
fields wench hath run away for shame O |
the wrong done her by Dr. Shaw's son. But |
that's not il. neither. Not twenty minutes |
since, l met Deacon Shelton. who says to me, |
Is it true Mrs. Bruff that my brother |
Strangfield is deadF The Lord forbid | |
says Il hope not. Mr.. Skelton' I'm afeard |
he is, then.' he says Jim Mason, he saws, |
him as keeps the Blue Posteses. had the |
news from Tom Raffies, as is cousin to the |
servint; Polly her name is |
She was sent for the doctor, but came fust |
in fright to her mother-who's kept her bed |
sin April poor wretch-an' says that /
fell down in fit and's dead |
man. Lord bless me, SIR says L"
GThats news fndeedin exclaimed Mrs |
Mead very Pale, and catching up her dress
III it's true. it's as strange a visitation as
any that liver read of in Holy Writ Good
by to We. You've put me in hurry Mrs
Bruff. Lord save usi what wonderful things |
happen in this hfel"
She was limpshg rapidly away before Mrs.
Bruff could retIrn her farewell
She was too experienced a gossip herself to
believe in the accuracy of any story related;
Dut then, likewise she well knew that almost
never does any story get abroad without
'oundation- They may say there's n fame
where there is only a spark; but be sure there
$ fire of some kind
Hastily down the street she went Ar
lived at her home, she washed her face.
crushed her hair, busted her bonnet and
hoes and, glancing at the cupboard. to
make sure Of bit Of dinner to be cooked on
her return, she sailed forth once more and
walked direct to Strangfeld's house
No outward and visible sign there was Of
lnything being amiss
Mrs Mead knocked softly. and, with un-
,asiness bred in her bv the dislike bore her
~ the StranSiclds, kept herself close, that
he might not he spied by any sideways
,lance from the window. No one respond
ng, she knocked again loudly. and presently
he door was opened by Mrs. Strangfield
herself.
The desolate white and grief Of the poor
voman's face was indeed something heart
moving 70 behold The utter forlornness of
he eyes the piteous droop of the mouth, the
of hair and attire, which into
,rief throws violent dramatic element
we're beyond expression. She looked at Mrs.
Mead. while the old lady bobbed courtesy,
Is a person TO whom everything that offers
las a meaning cruelty hard to master.
"God forbid, mistress" said Mrs Mead,
'ye should think am come out Of evil curl
,sity They say the deacon hath been
tricken ILL., and positively would | know
his from one who hath the truth"
%Why do you come here for newsi This is
house of mourning now. l am desolate,
oneiy woman Heaven help me-" replied
,irs. Strangfeld in broken voice
$50, indeed, We be, IL il is only for your
laughter's leavin' ye." said Mrs. Mead, with
leep compassion "But what hath happ'd to
he deaconi For the Lords sake let me hear
t of you. ma'amln
"He hath been struck with paralysis. and
les dying and calling for his daughter. That
$ the truth And now must 60 to him, for
our knock has brought me from his bed,
md the maid is away on an errand, and !
III alone in the house"
She spoke with stolidity of exhausted
,rief, and was stepping back to close the