Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-02-18

80, says 1, mats horse of another
color, says l.
"But now it appears, with his shaggy,
gray eyebrows slightly elevated, shat We
didn't give EN- to her, hey?"
Mary and her mother looked blankly at
each other. The good father chuckled.
Them ounces was worth S. at the very
least, he So d. Il guess, Polly, if l was
you, I'd collect the money"
The ladies of the Fund Committee were
at Mrs. Biggard's house that afternoon. A
good many faithful and devout sisters
were present, and some of the brotherhood
as well.
Mr.. NIildmay sauntered in toward tea
time and was thanking Zeruiah and Almira
Biggard for the beaut full jars of preserved
ounces which had found their way to the
rcctory, when Mrs. Biggards shrill voice
sounded above the hum of general dis
course.
Now that the minister is here there amt
no reason that we shouldn't render in our
accounts, she cacklel. And I'm happy
to say that every lady in the parish has
given something to the Eboe Indian fund
except Miss Mary Hay"
Mr.. Mildmay bit his lip, Zeruiah cast
down her white dashed eyes, AlmiIa gig
gled family.
Ma is SO frank spoken" she said.
81 scarcely think, quietly observed Mr..
Mildmay, "that there was any necessity for
particulaiiling in such matter as this"
81 haint no patience with mean folks, /"
said Mrs. Biggard, speaking Ill stage
aside.
But Mary Hay had risen calmly from her
seat among the younger ladies'.
Neither have |, said she. And SO /
propose to subscribe to the fund the s.
which Mrs. Biggard is going 10 pay me-"
She moved easily and gracefully toward
the lady of The house, and held out her
hand with an air of calm expectancy.
ME-" cried Mrs. Biggard. Coin to
pay you So! / guess that gal is crazy!
What in the world should pay you So for?"
For the ounces said Mary, enjoying
the sudden panic which turned the nation
ly, rubicund face to the color of badly
risen dough, "the ounces which you
bought OF us last night and forgot to pay
for"
Mrs. Biggard uttered somethin nobody
knew exactly what it was, but the changes
other complexion would have reminded one
of the proverbial dying dolphin, as she
drew out her purse AMI deposited crum-
pied five dollar bill in Miss Hays quietly
extended palm.
L
she. Il s'pose l ought to hev attended to it
before"
81 think you ought, indeed" was Miss
Hays calm reply:
Il didn't knows you cared nothin' for
them ounces, mutt red Mrs. Biggard, "or
wouldn't hey touched EN-, not on no ac-
count"
You might at least have paid us the
compliment of asking u.s." said Mary,
Guilty.
And she put the FIVE dollar bill in the
it'll, blue ribboned collection basket"
which was in Miss Zeruiah Biggard's espe-
cial care.
Mr.. Mildmay walked home with her that
evening. She did not tell him the story of
the ounces, to her credit be it spoken.
Mary Hay was not one to strike fallen
enemy. And perhaps she and Mr.. Mildmay
had pleasanter topics of conversation than
any of tine numerous faults and failings of
Mrs. Biggard.
But honest Luke Larrabee was by no
means SO retcent. He related the little in
cident of the moonlight raid on the ounce
orchard far and wide.
And them Eiggards is always a quotin
Scripter texts" said he. And the old lady
sings hymns the loudest of any one in
church, and Zeruiah is settin' her cap at
the young minister. I'd jest like to see
her face when she hears that Mr.. Mildmay
and Mary Hay is to be married in the
spring"
But if you want to shut up the old lady's
mouth any time, all you've got to do is TO
ask her for her recipe for putin up
ounces"