Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-01-14
HATTIE'S MISTAKE.

All, SdlO VNt MlN' IVY S'''
sthings have changed since my
Gayl When I was girl, folks
used to stay at home and help
their mother do he house work.
and piece bed quilts, and emhroider
lace wells. instead OF running about
in all The dirty streets and narrow
lanes in creAtionI
She had come pfrom Owl Brook
to visit her cousin Mary Ann, who
had married Eberezer Hardy a
o,la,.er of Il century ago. and set
fled down in New York; aud, as
She expressed herself, 'things seem
cd be all turned topsyturvy.'
but. Cousin Prodigy said Saucy
Hattie Hardy, who was cQuipplng
herself with basket bag, parasol
and water proof cloak, tlS q work
o. mercy and charity that we are
engaged in
sNonsenSel' lrritably cried Mrs.
Prodgitt. 4 think you've all gone
crazy together! Pm surprised at
yon, Mary Ann, to LEI the child go
training all over tie city bS her
self. In my day il wasn't consid-
cred respectable.'
.You say. truly, that times have
changed since them mildly utter
ed Mis-. Hardy. who WAS knitting
ficecv. white wool by the fire. BE
sure. Hattie, that you come home
early. The new minister is to he
here to night to tea, and Betsy
can't be trusted with the new set
Of moss rose china
i wonder what he is like9' said
Hattie, as she tied the deep blue
strings OF her hat into coquetish
how under her round chin. i do
hope he's young and handsome
my dearr demonstrated Mrs.
Prodsitt.
or course added Hattie, I'VE
knew that old Mr.. Fuzzleton was a
perfect saint; bnt one don't like
saints with red noses and specta-
cles, and three layers of double
chin!'
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as if she
exrected that Hattie would be
struck ly lightning on the spot
fer that beretical remark.
'Harrietr was all that she could
uttnr.
While Mrs. Hardy. more accus.
toned to the au0acious speeches Of
her pretty daughter, went on, in
her purring, sing song tones:
Ion't forget that poor widow in
-Ccb lane, Hattie. And if you go
TO Milo Renean's, think it would
he we'll to speak word in season to
that great lazy son Of his, who is al
ways buying lottery tickets, and
does nothing to support the old
folks
Or, yes? I'm glad you mention
ed that said Hattie, pcrciling an
entry OH her little tablets. Mem
To give Jonas keneau a piece Of
my lnnd!' Dear Mr.. PuzzIeton
always said that that young man
was dreadful stumbling blockl'
'And | think went on Mrs.
Hardy, chat the Gray sisters can
find work for Alice Jennings now,
if she is still unemployed
'Tbc-which9' said Mrs. Prod
gift.
s1he Gray sisters. 'eyplaIred Mrs
Hardy. Ore ofour church organ
lzations.'
Mrs. Prodgitt glared.
is there any end TO the folly and
rons"nsc of the present. genera
tong said she.
L snppose,' laughed Hattie, that
in your dav, Cousin Prodigy, no.
body went slummingN
'Went-where?' said Mrs. Prod
gift.
Hattie.
'SIe means, visiting the poor,
and seeking out cases OF dcstitn-
ton, explained Mis-. Hardy. 'Hat-
tic. my child. 10 wish you
wouldn't talk Slangn
Hattie disappeared with a little
breeze CT laughter, while Mrs.
lloGgitt resettled her Spectacles
and altered deep groan.
mark my words, Mary Ann, said
sbe,' that girl will come to no
goodp
Hattie does not mean any harm,
Cousin Prodgitt.' mildly pleaded
Mis-. Hardy. as she knitted on.
Willie Hattie, on her errand Of
mercy, went from house to house
in the dalkllng lanes and crowded
tenement districts, leaving an
ounce Of green tea bere and lee
turc there, bottle beef wine and
iron by a sick bed, a little rose
scented snuff in poor old woman's
hand, a picture book on the pillow
of some little child, a wooden toy
in title delighted grasp of a skcle
ton like infant, Il gentle admonition
in the ear Of a willtul factory girl,
arc. a word Of comfort to encour-
ace a deSpairing widow.
She could be gay and fippant
enough when Cousin Prodigy
-,eased her. but here she seemed
to Eave assumed a new personality
of dignity and sweetness.
Old Milo Iieneau'S was the last
house on her list. She glanced
anxiously at her watch as she went
Past fve,' she said to herself