Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-01
LITTLE MISS PRIM.

particles of snow into the faces OF those
persons who were so unfortunate as to be
exposed to the cutting blast. A 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 tho luxurious
sitting room at Pleasant Park, the old
homestead of the Laurences.
Harry, the eldest boy, tall, bright
eyed lad CT IA, 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
OF 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 she
carried was turned inside cut, while her
long gray her was floating like q banner
in the wintry breeze. Tho girl and boy
ran to the pretty alcove, with its snowy
lace curtains Topped back, showing the
stand of plants bright with bloom, and
joining in the laughter caused Mr.. and
Mrs. Laurence to look up from their read
ing to inquire the cause of 50 much
plirth.
"Oh, mother you ought to see the
capels 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 dressmailer
made in her vain cndeavors to keep her
feet and avoid the rude embrace Of the
northeast gale. Jimmy, but she is a
scarecrow, said little Johnny. won
der what she goes out such stormy days
for?"
"Why, my son, Miss Prim IS poor and
is obliged to earn her own living. She
has 10 kind papa to give her nice warm
clothes, or provide her with food, rs you
have. 1t is not right to laugh at the lit
tie woman, Tor she has q hard life Of it,
and is SO patient and kind iii every trial, !"
and Mrs. Laurence patted the soft curis
of her G-year-old boy, mentally thanking
God she and her dear ones were free from
the curse Of poverty.
lit is nearly 0 o'clock" cried Lizzie,
glancing at tho huge old fashioned time
piece that licked away SO unsteady in the
corner Of the room. II will take Johnny
with me, mother, and then one umbrella
will shelter us; Harry is large enough to
take care Of himself" SO saying Lizzio
arraycd 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.
Just as the three children descended the
steps to the garden tho huge iron gate
changed to, and Miss Prim met them ON
The broad Graveled walk.
Mamma at home, Blossomi" said
tho little lady in cheerful tonc 10 Lizzie,
and at the Same time laughing, as she
saw the half concealed smile on the faces
of the children. You roGues! you
might just as well shout and laugh at
the funny figure l cut shall not feel
at all hurt. l know l an q perfect
scarccrow, but no matter, my beauty
viii not suffer" And with a nod and
''Good-by, dearies," not waiting for an
answer to her question, Miss Prinl van
ishcd within tho open doorway, end the
children fastened TO school.
Miss Charity Prim-or Miss Chatty, as
she was callcd-was the village dress
maker. She was maiden lazy, thirty
five or forty years Of age, small end
delicate i'll appearance, but always in
good health. Her face was always
smiling, her soft, blue eyes mild and
pure as those Of q child; her abundant
hair, long and silllen, crowned her head
as with coronet of silver.
Il thought would come and finish
that dress of yours, Mrs. Laurence"
said Miss Chatty, as she entered the
firclighted room, the warmth and glow
making such contrast to the gloom
without. Il am little late, but i had
hard time CT it, fighting the wind all
the way from the cottage. My umbrella
is wreck, and look as though Ind
been in gale, and was flying the flag Of
Distress" laughing merrily and showing
firm, whito teeth that had never known
the torture of dentists art; however,
'alps well that ends well. Z" and, with a
sigh of content, Miss Chatry followed
the stately but kind hearted mistress Of
Pleasant Park to thesewing room, where,
in low roc&er, with huge pile Of
work before her, the little Grcssmaker
was soon bus as bee.
Miss CT, tty," said n servant, enter
ing with q ;,ay on which were rluflins,
steak and 'lcaining cup of coffee, ''herc
is somethin warm for you"
We'll, leclarc, all this trouble on
my accoun!. 1t is too bad. but do oc-
lieve l am hungry" and putting her
work aside, the little woman soon made
sal havoc with the dainties before her.
She was proud in her way, was this poor,
hard working sewing woman. She would
notown that OH thiscold and dreary morn
ing she had dressed in her chilly room,
and eaten sparingly Of bread and oat-