The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1888-11-21
LITTLE MISS PRIM

Gray, angry looking clouds obscured
the blue sky, cold east wind blew tiny
particles of snow into the faces of those
persons who were SO unfortunate us to be
exposed to the cutting blast. 4 warm
fire and comfortable easy chair were
things to be appreciated, and SO thought
the Laurence family as they stood or sat
around the great blazing logs of hickory
in the open fireplace of the luxurious
sitting room at Pleasant Park, the old
homestead of the Laurences.
Harry, the eldest boy, a tall, bright
eyed lad of IL, went to the window that
looked out upon the highway. 1t was
nearly school time, and troops of boys
and girls were passing swiftly along in
the direction of the huge brick editice,
the pride of Fairmount
Lizzie, Johnny, come here" cried
Harry, and his handsome countenance
beamed with merriment as he gazed upon
the scene without A lady not much
taller than Lizzie, the 12-year-old sister
Ci the merry youth at the window, was
walking, or rather trying to, for the
slight figure swayed from one side of the
road to the other, beaten and blown by
the high winds; and the umbrella shc
II,
long gray her was floating like n banner
in the wintry breeze. The girl and boy
ran to the pretty alcove, with its snowy
lace curtains looped back. showing the
stand of plants bright with bloom, and
joining il the laughter caused hIr. and
Mrs. Laurence to look up from their read
ing TO inquire the cause of SO much
nlirth.
''oh, mother you ought to see the
capers little Miss Prim is cutting; old
Borcas makes her move lively" said Mas
ter Harry, and even his parents could
hardly suppress smile as they saw the
ludicrous figure the poor dressmaker
made in her vain endeavorS to keep her
feet and avoid the rude embrace of the
northeast gale. Jimmy, but she is a
scarecrow, said little Johnny. s.Won-
der what she goes out such stormy days
for7'
Why, my son, Miss Prim is poor and
is Obliged to earn her own living. She
has no kind papa to give her nice warm
clothes, or provide her with food. as you
have. 1t is not right to laugh at the lit
tie woman, for she has n hard life of it,
and is SO patient and kind in every trial, I"
and Mrs. Laurence patted the soft curls
of her 6-year-old boy, mentally thanking
God she and her dear ones Were free from
the curse of poverty.
ut is nearly 8 o'clock" cried Lizzie,
glancing ut the huge old fashioned time
piece that licked away SO musically in the
corner of the room. Il will take Johnny
with me, mother, and then one umbrella
will shelter us; Harry is. large enough to
take care of himself" So saying Lizzie
arrayed herself III her warm cloak, hood
and furs, looking like the pictures of Lit
tie Red Riding Hood, with brown eyes
shining and cheeks rosy with health.
steps 10 the garden the huge iron gate
the broad Cravcled walk:
Mamma at home, Blossom2" said
the little lady in q cheerful tone to Lizzie,
and at the same time laughing. as she
saw the half Concealed smile on the faces
of the children. You request you
might just as well shout and laugh at
the funny figure cut. shall not feel
at all hurt! I know 1 am q perfect
scarecrow, bit no matter, my beauty
will not suffer-" And with q nod and
"Good-by, .dcaries5" not waiting for an
answer to her question, Miss Prim van
islled within the open doorway, and the
children hastened to school.
Miss Charity Prim-or Miss Chatty, as
She. was tclled-was the village dress
maker. She was maiden lady, thirty
five or forty years of age, small and
delicate in appearance, but always in
smiling, her soft, blue eyes mild and
pure as those of child; her abundant
hair, long and silken, crowned her head
as with coronet of silver.
81 thought 1 would come and finish
that dress of yours, Mrs. laurence"
said Miss Chatty, as she entered the
firelighted room, tho warmth and glow
making such contrast to the gloom
without. Il am little late, but had
hard time of it, fighting the wind all
the way from the cottage. My umbrella
is q wreck, and look as though had
Eeen in gale, and was flying the flag of
Distress laughing merrily and showing
firm, white teeth that had never known
the torture of u dentists art; ..however,
'alfs well that ends well, :" and, with
sigh of content, Miss Chatty followed
the stately but kind hearted mistress of
Pleasant ParlEto thesewing room, where,
in q low rocker, with a huge pile of
work before her, the little dressmaker
was soon busy as bee.
'.SIiss Chatty," said servant, enter
ing with q tray on which were mullins,
steak and a steaming cupof coffee, ..here
is something warm for you"
"Well, declare, all this trouble on
my account. 1t is too bad, but do he
lieye am hungry" and putting her
work aside, the little woman soon made
sad havoc with the dainties Before her.
She was proud in her way, was this poor,
hard working sewing woman. She would
notown that on thiscold and dreary morn
ing she had dressed in her chilly room,
and eaten sparingly Of bread and oat-
meal, with small cup of milk to satisfy
her thirst, but never Complaint, never
cross look from the noble woman who
had no luxuries and few comforts, but
who ever looked on the bright side of
life.
Before night the storm became SO fu-
rious, the snow SO deep, the dressmaker
was urged to remain until the next day,
and to tell the truth che was nothing
loath, for her humble room in the cot
tage Of Che widow Green was not a very
attractive one, although clean and neat,
yet rag carpet, paper shades. a cot bed
and small stove, with scanty fossl for a
dainty appetite, was all the Dire i.ii kt'r
could earn for herself in the snI1il village
Of Fairmount
Evening. with her cable ess.:ai,:, On.