Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-04-05

But that's nonsensel" said Mill
"feu couldn't, you know. You haven
, been anywhere.
AZ this moment there was mystc
: ios dumping sound on the doorstep
knyk-the entrance Of a cleaning pie,
! Of yrniture, accompanied by two sto,
I've bought a sewing mlchine fc
moiPer,' said Esther, springing up $
su$aenly that the apples, pared and un
pared, rolled all over the floor. "An,
here it is! Seth Pollock, down at III
s!onr is the agent. I've seen mother 81
p,rFd sew weary seams by hand, nigh
ai'Nnlght, for so many years, after
mari days work in the kitchen anC
Wassnousc, that made up my mind shc
shouldn't endure it any longer; SO put
Unde Ebenczcr's money into sewing
mac pine-a present to you, mother
deaiho
Little Mrs. Hubbard burst into tears
-ssic, my darling! But / can't let
you s.acriiice everything to me in this
wayla
" Whom else should I sacrifice to-
mo'ier" whispered Esther. 'cWho is
my PEST friend and dearest counselor9
wig DO love best in all the world2o
Ile deacon's face gloomed.
never did believe in teaching nv
women folk idleness," snarled he
''iifld sewin' was good enough for nv
first wife. guess it wouldn't have
hurtlDebby much. And if Esther was
20 pxlous to get rid of her money, /
coup have used half ont to buy a new
OK drtp
Put you have so many things, faith
er, pleaded Esther. Gan your work.
mos ~ is done by machinery, and
'Fei mas 70 toll so cndlessly."
lumphl" commented the deacon.
d iliccnt frowned; Abigail shrugged
her houlders.
Evidently, no one was in accord with
pool ovcrworked Mrs. Hubbard |
but Esther.
n very sorry said Esther. .ethat
n'Ten enough money to help you
Titq the piano, too. do so love music
alfays longed for an instrument
f'lal said Abby, with toss Of her
LAD braids, eve shall have the piono
Y same; so you necln't be afraid.
snly take Us the longer to pay
1Tfr- lang Is very ccrtain--you
Yer strike note omit"
NM. Hubbard followed Esther out
nto the kitchen.
s'oh, Essic, said she, 'youshouldn't
ave thought of me. The girls are Sc
iously angry"
81 can't helpthat, said Esther. eff
hey had any eyes, they would have seen,
ong ago, that this horrible sewing, in
ddition to everything else, was killing
OUT
''But don t mind their refusing to let
on share The piano, Essie," whispered
he stepmother ''AIrs. Pritchett has
ne at the parsonage, and l used to play
then l was a girl. Wen go down
very day or two, and will teach you
Ibby and Milly laugh at Mrs. Pritchett's
ld-fashioned piano; but there a deal
I music in it yeti!
q dew DECLARE" said Gran 'ther
Allen, as the maple leaves began to car
et the paths with scarlet, and even to
cater ruby jewels here and there in the
oad, "Deacon Hubbard's wife is pickin'
p deall ! never seen her step so light
fore, and she actially sings at work-a
hing she never did beforel'
"It's the sewin'- machine" said his
Id wife. ~ took seam over, yes'day
fternoon, and it jest made game o
lay outen the hull thing"
So that, when Mrs. Judge Basset gave
cr May party the next spring, and in
tied Mrs. Hubbard, the invitation was
cccpted.
a feel ever so much younger since
hat sewing ng-machine came" said she,
Mrs. Basset had grand piano, and
'ianst who came from Bridgeport at so
much night; but when the company
rived, 10 and beholdl the professor
lad not put in an appearance.
'sDcar me-" said Mrs. Basset, what
m I to do2 Won't any of the young
aides present oblige me with a waltz,
ust to get the dancers on the foor9n
"The young ladies present. giggled, |
ooked at each other, but made no
move.
Deacon Hubbard leaned across two
matrons and spoke to Mil
iccnt.
Daughter" said he, ''you can
,lay?n
Millicent grew pale.
81 couldn't strike note, pa, said she.
I'm too nervous"
"Abigail, then2"
''Oh, please don't ask mel l should
,nly break downln twittered Abby,
back.
The deacon frowned.
But in the midst of his wrath a light
tep passed him. Esther, in her simple
White serge dress and blue ribbons went
Up to the piano, and quietly seating her
elf, began to pay that wild, sweet Gre
ltion where joy and sorrow seem to strive
n the most musical of refrains-sMy