The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-09-20
TALK OF POSSUM RIDGE.

Possum Ridge society had no social
distinctions TO speak OF, and though the
members of the weal;hler families may
! have held their noses just a mite ele
waited over their less fortunate nelghbors,
whatever there is IN the way of amuse
ment, be it corn husking, log rolling,
wool picking, hog killing or quilting,
everybody was eligible to attend, from
the postmaster and wife down to Sam
Glley and his wife.
So it followed as matter of course
that when, one day, Mrs. Hawkins sent
little Tomme around TO invite the
neighbor women to a wool picking on
the morrow, they all gladly accepted
and came, for Mrs. Hawkins was an
estimable lady, well worthy ofassstance ;
and, besides, they all knew that she
made it point TO serve an excellent
dinner on such occasions.
When the hands of Hawkins old
clock pointed to the hour of 10 at
least thirty women were seated around
Hawkins hest room, all ousily engaged
in picking turrs out of the wool, and
faults out of other peoples characters.
OF course, such important matters and
branches of industry as garden and
soap making, and early chicken hatch
ing was discussed and disposed OF the
first thing, after which came items OF
neighboring news and gossip.
Just as that time the Ridge people
were in a state OF considerable agitation
regarding the new teacher who had
lately come to ''take up" the summer
school, and who was boarding down at
the Widow Martins. The Widow
Martin was herself comparatively new
CCmer, and though sne and Jane, her
IS year old daughter, Lad been the
them OF conversation at two or three
society gatherings, they had not been
entirely disposed CT, and were still good
for several hours consideration in com.
! mittet of the whole.
Hev any Nv ye ever seen the new
teacher? Surida Smith asked in sharp
voice, when there came a lull in the
hum of conversation.
Law, yes, Partheny Perkins replied.
"He passes right by our house every
day, an once he SAID good / ornin' 10
me, and Partheny tossed her aead up
with the air Of one who knows she has
great advantage, and duly appreciates
its importance. The others acknow
lodged, by their looks and actions, that
they realized Partheny's advantage over
themselves, and were willing to accord
her the post of honor, though they did
envy her SO much good fortune.
They say he's rale han'some, Surilda
went on, "an' dresses up 10 beat any
thing"
Yes, he is good lookin, Partheny ad-
mitted IAN he does wear mighty good
clothes, but l don think he's nigh so ham
some as my cousin Llge, who clerks in
the store over at the Forks, an know
he don't wear nigh as good clothes.
They say, put in Tllda Brown, sour
tempered, sharp nosed maiden lady of
doubtful age, "that he is mighty sweet
to lane Martin, though why he should
be is more than | can tell, when there
air SO many young ladies as would
make better wives, and Miss Tilda
showed Enthusiastically, by her manner
OF expression, that she considered her
self the most eligible young lady on
the Ridge.
We'll, they may say what they please,
sad Sally Huff, who was the mother of
TWO daughters who had been a long
time on the matrimonial market with
no takers. "rhey may say what they
please, but I'll warrant that teacher
never malries Jane Maltin."
think Miss uff right" said Slril-
da, can ef he is payin' her any ten
tions he's jIst a-doin' it to make fooi
of her. That's my erpinion, anyhow,
an | don't think time'll gainsay It,"
dar' say not, S'rildv. It's plain
to my mind that er young man, hevir'
had ther adva !tages he's had, wouldn't
90 to payin' serious attentions to a gal
no more likely nor jan, when they're
so many all erroun' here that he mi ght
take his pick an choice.
Parthena's little black eyes snapped
in way that said she meant more than
she spoke, for she was a manageable
widow, and looked with no great favor
on the ancient maiders who came as
rivals. 1ilda Brown understood Par
thena's meaning. and Strengthening up
with an air OF offended dignity snapped
| back:
An might be added that If none of
the young ladies didn't come up to his
standard he might go further, an find
a widder to his likin'.
Now, come, commanded Surllda, we
hain't a-goln' TO have no lad feelin's
stirred up ermong US. 50 you two had
as well quiet down. No matter who
the teacher may or may not marry, it's
nlain to me that he don't never intend
to marry Jane Martin, an that he's
lust maxim fool of her, an it ought
not to be allowed.
Pm O. your min, Surilda, Mrs.
Hawkins said, coming in with a batch
OF dough in her hands, to have word
in the talk. Only last night as Absolom
was comm home from the mill he sees
the teacher an Jane promenadin in
the orchard, an a-smiin, in his face
lust as lovin as could be. Then he sees
them stop an the teacher breaks off
some apple blossoms and fastens them