Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-01-22
HEIRESS Or NO HEIRESSe5;
Why Matte Meredith Wanted 10
Learn Hotseworlz.

The old Oxweod farmhouse was look
ing its very best and pretticst in the
yellow August sun shine, as Matte
Meredith came up the foot-path with
her trim travelling satchel in her hand.
Mrs. Oxweed was feeding her young
goslings at the kitchen door; she started
up to welcome the u uhcxpected guest.
why, my dearie, she cried, "I
thought you would lie waltzing at New
port or counting over your beaux at
Saratoga before this time!'
But Matte shook her golden-brown
cur1s.
'.No, she said, Il am tired OF New
portland Saratoga don't suit me this
year. Do you know what I have come
here for, Mrs. Owe ed?''
II couldn't possibly guess. said the
farmers wife, tenderly brushing the
dust from Mattie's plumed hat.
ITO learn how TO do housework. >
said Matte.
''Bless mer said Mrs. Gxweed, "why.
what has young lady like you to DO
with drudgery?"
s'But, goa do it, dbn't you?''
THAT'S because I'm obliged to, said
Mrs. Oxweed laughing.
''And that's precisely why want TO
do it." said Matte. seriously Things
have changed. Mrs. Oxweed. Life
looks very differently to me from what
it used to do!''
''Deary, DEAR" said the kindly farm
e. IYfA J
it. Riches has wings, says the Good
Book; and I'm sure there's proof
enough f it in this world. And your
poor ma, how does she take it, Miss
Mattie2"
Mamma is as well as uslal,' said
Matte. "But please let me come In,
and have q cup of fItea, Mrs. Oxweed.
I'm a little tired with the journey"
ITO be sure, deary, to be sure, said
Mrs. Oxweed. Tea is just ready. But,
I've got five boarderq, Miss Matte. y
II won't be in the way" said Matte,
pleadingly. ''You can tuck me any
where. / should so like the little gar
ret bedroom, Mrs. Oxweed, that looks
out into the bough Of the cherry tree .
''And you shall have it my dear, and
welcome" said Mrs. Oxweed. ''But
the two young theological students
have the big front room, and Mr.. Joyce
Hazeltine, that writes funny lectures
has the back bedroom, and Mr.. Johr
Jefferson has the room on the wing
and Lieutenant Cooper sleeps in thC
slope-roofed room off the parlor. Wc'rt
pretty well crowded, my dear. Blu
there is always room for you.
II remember them all, said Matte
with sparkling eyes, Except Mr.. Hazel
tine. We used to have such merry
times last year, didn't we!'
sAnd every one of 'em was dead il
love with YOU" said Mrs Oxweed
"Oh, you needn't blush and look st
confused, Miss Mattie; its human ma
ture, isn't it?''
And Matte, resting on the big parloI
sofa where the cool green lights site;
through the maple Boughs half an houl
later, could hear the voices OF tht
boarders at their tea.
| .Afiss Meredith back again?" cricC
Mr.. Jefferson. why, it win be re
newal of old times!l'
''Miss Meredith was q most charming
young lady, said Mr.. Dover. the cldcs
| of the spectacled young theologians.
'.Most remarkably So, said Mr.
Laidlaw, the younger, who had yer
| red hair and q Roman nose.
''The prettiest girl ever saw in m
life," said Lieutenant Cooper
"Really," exclaimed Mr.. Hazeltine
'I've great curiosity to cultivate he
acquaintance. !"
Mrs. Oxweed bridled and fluttere
with pleasure. Years ago, before sh
had married her farmer husband, sh
had been Matte Meredith's nurse, an
she loved the girl still with almost ms
ternal tenderness.
"And you'll find every word they sa
is true, Mr.. Hazeltihe, said she. '.Bu
dear me! things isn't as they used
be. I'm afraid, from what Miss Matti
has told me, that Mr.. Meredith has ha
bad luck with his investments. Sh
won't be an heires{ any longer, poo
dear!''
"Eh?" said Mr.. Oxweed. pausing i
his task of carving cold lamb. ''Bu
what will she do, Mary Ann?'
"What other folks does, TO be sure.
said his wife. br5skly. "Bless he
heart, she amt on & to sit down an
lament over spilled milk. She told m
with her own lips that she had com
here to learn to dolhouseworl1.
.House work, eh9 said Mr. Oxwec,
''But / didn't s'pose as the young ladit
called that sort o. thing geateel now;
days. Painting on cheeny., now, {
giving music lessons, or fine sewing =
"Oxweed! hold your tonguer' sat
his wife. WHATEVER Miss Matte Mer
dith docs viii be right and proper. Al
that enough for you and me to know.
Matte lay quite still on the sof
thinking. And as she thought cul
Gus smile came dirnpling over her fac
J Perhaps it is just as wen. after all
cha cold RI horca1f