Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-05-09
THAT CANTON CHINA.
Why Asa Thought II Incomplete
Without Emma.

One cup and saucer; one little red
edged plate; one bone-handled knife and
fork; one silver spoon marked sc. S."
and worn thin with much usage. 1t did
not take Emma Smith very long to clear
away her breakfast-table.
ut does SEEM" said she, speaking
aloud, presumably to the cat, "as If l
grew poorer and poorer every day! I
had little butter with my oatmeal yes
terday. To-day haven't any. There's
only handful of potatoes left in the
bin, and four apples and a few carrots.
And I've no money Yes, it's come to
that. I've got to sell Aunt Desires old
blue Canton china!"
AS she uttered the words, moisture
came into her eyes which made the
white crocuses along the garden walk
waver as IL high wind had swept over
them.
No one would have believed that EN-
ma Smith had once been the prettiest
girl in Norvalton. Now and then blue
light would sparkle into her eyes, a
faint flush of color would rise to her
withered checks, which might recall the
days Of yore, but these came seldom.
She was a dressmaker by trade, but she
had somehow got out of fashion. Peo-
pie looked askance at her Paris plates,
and doubted her ability to hang skirt
or cut a 'surplice waist" The dashing
MADAME" from New York got all the
local custom. And there were times
when Emma heartily wished that she
had accepted Asa Hopper, instead of
jeering at his suit.
She had scarcely packed up the blue
Canton china set, in dilapidated splint
basket, when the sound of creeking
wheels was heard, and Old Ma'am Per-
kins, seated on an aerial perch amid
bristling array of crockery and tinware,
driving patient old horse who paid no
sort Of attention to shaken reins or be-
iaboring whip, came in view. Emma
ran out to intercept her.
Want to buy any thing, Emma?"
Emma Smith shook her head. "Mrs.
Perkins," said she, "I'm wantin' to
SELL"
"The land! TO sell what, Emma?"
"Aunt Desires old set O china. Real
Canton. Flown blue. The hull set
perfect, and not chip nor acrack in
it,"
what We want for it?'
81 haint no idea what it's wuth,"
sighed Emma. ANY thing it'll bring"
"Wal, hand it up here, an I'll dew my
level best for ye," said Old Ma'am Per-
kins. I'm goin' down Bedford way,
this trip, and some one may take fancy
to It,"
1t was late in the April twilight when
the crockery cart once more stopped at
the door Emma ran out to greet the
cheerful old woman who sat on it.
"Wal," cried Old Ma'am, II sold itr'
did your" Emma had cherished an
illogical, lingering sort of hope that the
blue china might prove unstable, and
thus come back to her after all.
And who dye guess bought it? Asa
Hopper, up to the Brook Farm"
casa Hopper!'
Folks say he's going to be married, y
said Old Ma'am Perkins. Anyhow, he's
furnished up the house real slick, with
new red store carpet on the best room,
and new wall paper, and Nottingham
lace curtains. Had property left him
from the Fairfield County Hoppers,'
added Old Ma'am. Says he: Seems
to me that china looks sort o natural.
And says 1: 4 wouldn't wonder II you'd
took tea off 1t before now. 1t belongs tc
Emma Smith, the dressmaker down in
Norvalton,' says |, and she amt so vel
off as she was-and she wants to sell it.
Says he: How much II We take for it?
Says I: Twenty-Five dollars flor
thought there want no use a-sellin' il
for nothing). Says he: I'll take it!
An here's the money all in gold, in ;
shammy leather purse, in the bottom O
my pocket"
And away she drove, chuckling to her
self
Emma Smith went back into tn,
dreary room, lighted her candle, and Sc
herself to work to apportion this unex
pected windfall to her various debts ant
deficiencies; and through it all he
heart was as heavy as lead.
"It's nothing to me that Asa Hoppe
is going to be married." said she to her
self. Hes real good fellow, and In
sure hope he'll do we'll. But-but'
didn't s'pose he'd have forgot me s.
SOON"
And big round tear, like o miniature
soap bubble, FLASHED down on the littl
heap Of gold pieces.
As Miss Emma Smith reached up t
put the money away in a cracked tum
bier, at the back of the dresser shelf
she saw, standing there, stocky littl
cream pitcher with the inevitable
Chinese on the badly fore-shortene
bridge, traced in flowing blue lines o.
its apoplectic sides.
"Thcrem said she, Il forgot to SEN
that cream pitcher with the rest, In
sure don't know how it ever cam
here
Just then there came knock at tn
door. Miss Smith had nearly droppe,
the pitcher in the start she gave. Sh
went to the door, and there stood As
Hopper himself.
Good evening, Emmsp ssid he, JUS
exactly as II ten years had not elapse
since their last meeting,
Good evening, Asav' said the dres:
maker. Il know what you came FOL