The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-06-21

IL" You know | always
CTSy said SO from the time
you were Il baby
Priscilla Carcw looked about her. a
faint smile on her lips. The room was
small, the furniture old, the floor COW
cred with a rag carpet, very much the
worse for wear. The damask on the tea
table was the last of her mothers wedding
set. and had been darned in every direc-
ton; and the only comfortable chair was
hi" wooden rocker. with faded patch
work cushion, stuffed with ducks feath-
crs. The room had c6scy look, how
ever, for Priscilla was born housckccpcr.
and about her always reiSncd order and
cleanliness. The cOokstovc was as bright
as a daily polish could make it, the row
OF bright tin pans on the dresser shelf
were without stain. and the old dresser
itself WAS white with innumcrablc scrub
bings. In the family sitting room beyond
she andironS before the fireplace shone
like gold, the bricks were newly Redeemed,
and AN immense bunch of fcathcry aspar-
agus filled the empty space. for it was
only on state occasions that Il fire was built
there. The floor was covered with IA
plain. dark, threc-ply carpet. to buy which
Priscilla had made many sacrifices of
youthful inclinations in the way of cuffs,
collars and ribbons. A round table stood
in the centre of the room. and on it were
the family bible two small albums, a copy
of Shakespeare and a large lamp. There
were half Il dozen wooden chairs against
the wall and a settec covered with ere
tonne cushion. On the high mantel were
pair of glass vases, china shcphcrdess,
cup and saucer that had belonged to
Priscilla's grandmother and small
basket of wax fruiAundcr glass case
Priscilla's gaze took in every article of
furniture i'll the two rooms, and then
her eyes rested on her mother, a faded.
weary looking woman, whose life had
been one long struggle with care. pri-
vation, poverty and hard work. Pris-
ella always felt a little bitter towards
fate when she thought of her mother.
1t seemed hard that even now. in her
old age. her mother was obliged to
toll, and to turn every penny before she
spent it.
Il never thought myself very lucky,
aunt. said Priscilla.
That's because You amt one of the
thankful sort" said Mrs. Hackctt.
"Ioud find plenty O girls willin' to
step into your shoes, now you're to have
old Matthew POunce's fortune
"Oh, very likely, nou," said Priscilla.
"But don't be too sure that I'll have
the fortune. Aunt Hackctt. The will
may he found after ALL"
faint likely now; they've looked
everywhere for it. Simpson was up there
a-scarchin' before the breath was fairly
out of the old mans body. Pity he
died 50 sudden. But perhaps it's better
for you. Priscilla that he did. for he
might a cut you out o your fortune.
What you are going to do first, Priscilla?"
Il am going to wait until the for
tune is really mine before do anything.
Aunt lIackctt. Meanwhile, shall teach
school, as usual"
well. if you amt the qucerest You
don't seem bit set up Some girls
would "A gone clear out O their heads
over such luck. But maybe you're right
to hold on to your school; for your Uncle
Eben says it'll be some time before the
estate can be settled. I'll look for YOU
to make good match, now, Priscilla"
A sudden flush dyed Priscilla's checks
scarlet. Her thoughts flew to John Nor
ris. Would he be considered a good
matchI Probably not, for John had
only his farm and stock, and if report
did not speak falsely, old Matthew
Pounce had been worth hundred thous-
and dollars.
Time had been when Priscilla, plan
ming for the days to come, and sure of
Johns love- and that he would some day
ask her to be his wife, had thought of
the comfort her mother would enjoy at
Cloverdalc Farm. her working days over
forever. But now it was of Matthew
Pouncc's big stone house that she thought.
If she were indeed heircss to a hundred
thousand dollars, she would not care to
live at Cloverdale Farm. But would
John consent tn share her wealth.
Would he, for love of her, give up his
independence! These were questions she
could not answer.