, 1888-11-20
LITTLE MISS PRIM.

the blue sky, a cold east wind blew tiny
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 80 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 IA, ven to the window that
looked put 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 edifice,
the pride of Paramount.
Lizzie, Johnny, come here" cried
Harry, and his handsome countenance
beAmed viii merriment as he gazed upon
the scene without. A lady not much
taller than Lizzie, the 12-year-old sister
81 the merry youth at the window, was
talking. 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 out, while her
long gray her was floating like Il banner
in the wintry breeze. The girl and boy
ran to the pretty alcovc, with its snowy
lace curtains loopcd 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 SO much
mirth.
'Oh, mother You ought TO sec the
capcrs little Miss Prim is cutting; old
Borcas makes her move lively. " said Mas
ter Harry, and even his parents could
hardly suppress a smile rs they saw the
iudicrous 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 n
scarecrow, - said little Johnny. WON
der what she goes out such sto'my days
for2'
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 fool, as you
have. Il 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."
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.
1t is nearly 8 o'clock, " cried Lizzie,
glanCing at the huge old fashioned time
piece that licked away SO unsteady in thu
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 II her warm cloak, hood
and furs, looking like the pictures of Lit
tie Red Riding Hood, with brown eyes
shining and checks rosy with health.
Just as the three children descended the
steps TO the garden the huge iron gate
changed TO, and Miss Prim met them ON
the broad graVeled walk.
Mamma at home, Blossom2n said
the little lady in n cheerful tone to 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. 1 know / am a perfect
scarecrow, but no matter, my beauty
will not suffer" And with a nod and a
"Good-by, dearies, not waiting for an
answer to her question, Miss Prim van
ished within the open doorway, and the
children FASTENED to school.
Miss Charity Primer Miss Chatty, as
she was Called-waS the village dress
maker. She was a maiden lady, thirty
five or forty years of age, small and
delicate IN appearance, but always in
good health. Her face was always
smiling, her soft, blue eyes mild and
pure as those of a child; her abundant
hair, long and silken, crowned her head
as with a coronet of silver.
II thought l would come and finish
that dress of yours, Mrs. Laurence, .
said Miss Chatty, as she entered the
trelightef room, the warmth and glow
making such a contrast TO the gloom
without. Il am n little late, but l had
a hard time Of it, fighting the wind al
the way from the cottage, Ny umbrella
is a wreck, and l look rs though l had
been in :, gale, and was flying the flag OF
Distress laughing merrily and showing
firm, white teeth that had never known
the torture Of a dentists art however,
'all's well that ends well. and, with 9
sigh of content, Miss Chatty followed
the stately but kind hearted mistress OF
Pleasant Park to tLesawils room. where,
in a low rocker, with a huge pile oil
work before her, the little dressmakel
wus soou busy as q bee.
'Miss Chutty, - said a servant, enter.
ing with a tray on which were mullins,
steak ard a steaming cup Of coffee, "hert
is something warm for YOU
well, / declare, all this trouble on
my account. Il is too bad, but l do ae-
lieve l am hungry" and putting hai
work aside, the little woman soon mad,
sad havoc with the dainties before her.
She was proud IN her way, was this poor
hard working sewing woman. She woult
notown that on this cold and dreary morn
ing she had dressed in her chilly room
and eaten sParingly Of bread and oat