The Portland daily press., 1888-05-19
MISS TEMPY'S WATCHERS.
SARAH oREE JEwETT.
Atlantic Monthly.l

the lights had been blown out in the scat
tered houses near Miss Tempy Dents; but
as her neighbors took last look out-of-
doors, their eyes turned with instructive
curiosity toward the old house, where a
lamp burned steadily. They gave a little
sigh. poor Miss Tempyp said more than
one bereft acquaintance; for the good
woman lay dead in her north chamber, and
the lamp was watchers light. The funeral
was set for the next day, at one o'clock.
The watchers were two of the Oldest
friends. Mrs. Grove and Sarah Ann Binson
They were sitting in the kitchen, because II
seemed less awesome than the unused best
room, and they beguiled the long hours by
steady conversation. One would think that
neither topics nor opinions would hold out,
at that rate. all through the long spring
night; but there was certain degree OF
excitement just then. and the two women
had risen to an unusual level of expressive
ness and confidence. Each bad already told
the other more than one fact that she had
determined to keep secret; they were again
and again tempted into statements that
either would have found impossible by day
light. Mrs. Grove was knitting blue yarn
stocking for her husband; the foot was
already so long that it seemed as if she must
have forgotten to narrow it at the proper
time. Mrs. Grove knew exactly what she
was about, however,; she was of much
cooler disposition than ESister Binson, who
made futile attempts at some sewing, only to
drop her work into her lap whenever the
talk was most engaging.
Their faces were interesting,-of the dry,
shrewd. Quick-witted New England type,
with thin hair twisted neatly back out of the
way. Mrs. Grove could look vague and be-
nignant and Miss Binson was, to quote her
neighbors, a little too sharp-set; but the
world knew that she had need to be, with
the load she must carry of supporting an
inefficient widowed sister and six unpromis-
ing and unwilling nephews and nieces. The
eldest boy was at last placed with good
man to learn the masons trade. Sarah Ann
Binson, for all her sharp, anxious aspect,
never defended herself, when her sister
whined and fretted. She was told every
week of her life that the poor children would
never have had TO lift a finger if their poor
father had lived, and yet she had kept her
steadfast way with the little farm, and
patiently taught the young people many use
full things, for which, as everybody said,
they would live to thank her. However
pleasurless her life appeared to outward
View, 1t was brimful Of pleasure to herself.
Mrs. Grove, on the contrary, was well-to-
do. her husband being rich farmer and an
easy-going man. She was stingy woman,
but for all that she looked kindly; and when
she gave away anything, or lifted a finger to
help anybody, it was thought a great piece
OF benefieence, and a compliment, indeed,
which the recipient accepted with twice as
much gratitude as double the gift that came
from poorer and more generous acquaint-
ance. Everybody liked to be on good terms
with Mrs. Grove. Socially she stood much
higher than Sarah Ann Binson. They were
both old schoolmates of Temperance Dent.
who had asked them, one day, not long
before she died, if they would not come to-
gether and look after the house, and manage
everything, when she was gone. She may
have had some hope that they might become
closer friends in this period of intimate part
nership, and that the richer woman might
better understand the burdens of the poorer.
They had not kept the house the night
before; they were too weary with the care of
their old friend, whom they had not left until
all was over.
There was brook which ran down the
hillside very near the house, and the sound
of twas much louder than usual When
there was silence in the kitchen, the busy
stream had strange insistence in its wild
voice, asif it tried to make the watchers
understand something that related to the
past.
81 declare, 1 can't begin to sorrow for
Tempy yet. / am so glad to have her at
rest" whispered Mrs. Grove. sit is strange
to set here without her, but can't make it
clear that she has gone. feel as if she had
got easy and dropped off to sleep, and I'm
more scared about waking herup than know
ing any other feeling"
"Yes," said Sarah Ann, otis just like tibet,
amt it? But tell you we are goin' to miss
her worse than we expect. She's helped me
through many trial, has Temperance.
amt the only one who says the same,
neither"
These words were spoken as if there were
third person listening; somebody besides
Mrs. Grove. The watchers could net rid
themselves :of the feeling that they were
being watched themselves. The spring
wind whstled in the window crack, now and
then, and bnffeted the little house in gusty
way that had sortof companionable effect
Yet, on the whole, 1T was very still night,
and the watchers spoke In half whisper.
"She was the freest-handed woman that
ever / knew" said Mrs. Grove, decidedly.
According to her means, she gave away
more than anybody. / used to tell her t
want right i used really to be afraid that
she went without too much, for we have
duty to ourselves"
Sister Binson looked up in half-amused,
unconscious way, and then recolected her
self
Mrs. Grove met her look with serious
face. sit amt so easy for me to give as it is
some" she said simply, but with an effort
which was made possible only by the occa-
sion. 81 should like to say, while Tempy is
laying here yet in her own house, that she
has been constant lesson to me. Folks are
too kind, and shame me with thanks for
what do. / amt such a generous woman
as poor Tempy was, for all she had nothin'
to do with, as one may say"
Sarah Binson was much moved at this
confession, and was even panied and touched
by the unexpected humility. "You have a
good many calls on you" she began, and
then left her kind little compliment half fin
ished.
''Yes. yes, but I've got means enough.
MY dispositions more of cross to me as /
grow older, and l made up my mind this
morning that Tempy's example should be my
pattern hencefoIth." She began to knit
faster than ever.
"'Tain't no use to get morbid; that's
what Tempy used to say herself" said Sarah
Ann, after minutes silence. "Ain't it
strange to say, used to say'?" and her own
voice ehoked little ''She never did like to |
hear folks git goin' about themselves"
Twas only because they're apt 10 do it |
SO as other folks will say 'twasn't so, an |
praise 'em up" humbly replied Mrs. Grove, |
land that amt my object. There want a
child but what Tempy set herself to work to |
see what she could do to please it. One |
tune my brothers folks had been stopping |
here in the summer, from Massachusetts. |
The children was all little, and they broke |
upa sight Of toys. and left 'em when they |
were going away. Tempy come right up
A. E,l.a I.tf hal.