Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-10
MARY'S OUNCES.

$50 YOU won't eve Us nothin' for the
.ubscrptionp said Mrs. Biggard, fold
ing her mittened hands SIMULTANEOUSLY
upon her lap. Remember Mary Hay
he who giyeth to the poor lendeth to
the Lord ~
'Yes, l know, Mrs. Bggard,' said
Mary Hay, with the color coming aud
going on her cheek, while a sense of the
rid cuious strove within her against
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 are paid think
it would be scarcely just to indulge my
self in the luxury Of subscribing to the
Fund for the Eyangeizing Of the Eboe
Indians
Mrs. Biggard clasped the little, red
morocco subseription-book with click
ing sound.
"Hpmphr' said she, "Why don't you
say at,once that you'd rather spend your
money in navy blue silk gowns and hashy
bonnets 2"
Mary reddened to the roots of her
hair.
Perhaps you are not aware, Mrs,
Biggard, y said she, ''that the navy-bluo
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" sputtered
Mrs. Biggard, shaking out her multitu-
dinous founccs. "But know that Mr.
Midmay will be powerfully disap-
p'inted. He expects somethin' besides
empty talk from the ladies Of the flock. "
Once more the roseato color suffused
Mary's cheek.
MY duty is my duty" said she, "and
| cannot swerye from it to please any
one--not even Mr.. Mildmay. "
And the amiab.e Mrs. Bggard went
straight to the rcctory and told Mr..
Mildmay 'that Mary Hay said she
worn't a-goin' to subscribe to the fund,
to please Mr.. Mildmay nor any one
else"
The rector listened in silence, but h,
was conscious Of pang OF inward annoy
ance.
He had scarcely expected so curt
message from Mary Hay, IN whose dove.
like blue eyes he had so often read tho
light Of sympathy, whose down cas-
head reminded him of the beautiful
"Mater Dolorosa."
80 different from my Ruey, now
amt she2' said Mrs. Biggard. "WhJ
Ruey she's fairly walked through tht
soles Of pair 0 boots a-solicltin' sub
scriptions for the fund. There nov,l
was nobody so deyolt as she is. Anc
She wants to know-my Ruey does
whether she and Almry shan't come owe
to the rectofy an put up the parlol
curtains for you this afternoon
"Thank you" said Mr.. Mlldmay, will
something Of an embarrassed air; ''bu
dare say that Bridget will do very
well. | would't trouble Miss Z3rulah
and
"Oh, it won't be no trouble at alil
said Mrs Biggard.
And off she trudged to give the need
fuI directions to Zeruiah and Aim ra, he
two lean, middle-aged daughters.
Il do feel such a mothery sympathy
for a bacheldore clergyman p said sh,
There amt no more helpless creetur OF
the face Of the earth
While Mary Hay busy at her work il
the farmhouse kitchen, was puzz'ing be
brains to think up some possible or i'm
possible plan 10 get little money to hell
kind Mr.. Mildmay's plan along.
Il wish could spare something" sh'
said, 'If it was only dollarr'
q wish you could, my dearl" sale
gentle Mrs. Hay, who had overheard tht
eager words.
Mother" cried Mary, ''there are tn,
quinces-the ounces down by the rail
roadl Why couldn't sell them at til,
store1 The trees hang full this year
and the fruit is beautifully perfectm
Il never thonght Of that" said Mrs
Hay. "We'n 60 tomorrow and gathe
them, Mary--you and l."
Mary went singing about her wori
that afternoon. Her heart was light a
any feather Why, why had she not re
membered the quince-tree before
Ounces we're rare and high-priced thi
season, and she thought she was certain
of at least five dollars for the crop.
But the next day, when she and lie
mother Mrs Hay carrying the baske
and Mary merrily trunding the barrow
along before her went down to tn
orchard, whose slopes extended to th