Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-04-04
BY ANNA SHIELDS.

W ell, ma am, II was quite story, Dut
never felt free to tell it to anybody be-
fore; but since you are so anxious to
know about it, I'll tell you how it all
came about. Them fine embroideries
and the yards of crimping's off my mind
now, and if you'll take chair I'll talk
and rest a bit.
You'll hardly believe me, seeing what
heap Miss Sanderson thinks of me now,
that it is only little over a year since I
frst knew her, but it is just so. It all
came about through jim. Jim's my only
son, MAJ am, and he's been better'n two
gear a boy on the horse cars.
You don't know what a tow-boy is?
We'll, ma am, it's the boy that has charge
Of an extra horse to pull the cars up hill.
From five in the morning till three in the
afternoon Jim's going up hill with car
" down hill to meet one. He's good,
steady boy, and his wages are a great
1elp, seeing I am not strong enough for
leavy washing, and FINE amt always to
sc had.
Well, ma am, about fifteen months
pack, jim, not being we'll used to the
lorsc as he is now, fell off and broke his
arm. He came home, and the pain
threw him into fever, and he was very
Dad for quite long spell. It was when
1e was lying very sick, that one day
heard q knock, and opened the door for
ihe prettiest young lady ever my two eyes
saw. She was about eighteen; as white
as one Of my fine linen colors newly
Toned, with the prettiest touch of pink
IN her cheeks. Her eyes were as blue as
she china cup you see on the shelf yon-
der, and her hair as fine and yellow as
corn silk. She was dressed plain, but
everything she wore was of the finest
quality, and fitted as if it had grown upon
her slender, little figure
''Arc you Mrs NIcArdle?" she asked
me.
Yes, Miss" I said, hoping it was
fne washing she wanted done.
q heard to-day" she said, ''that my
best scholar in Sunday school had met
with an accident. You are James Nc
Ardles mother, are you not?"
"1es, Miss" l said. "Will you walk
IN and thank you kindly for calling"
She came in and told her all about
poor jim, and she gave me basket she
had for him, with some fruit and flowers
all fixed IN it like picture. Not as if
1t was charity, you see, for we've never
come to that, ma am, though I'm not say
ing we haven't been pretty hard pushed
sometimes. But as l was saying, the
basket was as pretty and delicate as if it
was for fine lady instead of a little tow
boy, that had got hurt earning his days
wages.
After that she came often and often,
bringing JIM books and little tempting
things to eat, and sitting to talk with him,
and always as merry as child, though
She was lady, every inch of her.
Then, when Jim was getting better,
and the care of him little off my hands,
she asked me to do up her fine things,
and her papas shirts, as if it was a favor
was doing her, telling me how particu-
lar she was, and the trouble it was to her
to gec suited in fire washing.
Well, ma am, not to make too long a
story, after Jim got we'll, l went to the
house twice week to get the washing
and take 1t back, and I always saw Miss
Emma. 1t was grand house, with par
Tors like hotel, and wide stalrcases, and
great bedrooms splendidly furnished.
ana Miss Emma had no mother. but was
the mistress of it all.
was all taken aback the first time l
saw her pa, for he was as rough as she
was gentle, and looked mole like a labor
ing man than a fine gentleman, for all his
me clothes. But he was very prompt to
pay, and always had a pleasant word for
NE ABOUT the beautiful ironing of his
SHIRTS and cuffs. And, though I say it as
shouldn't, you might go long way to
mo pretter linen than [ took up every
week 10 Mr.. Sarderson's. But after a
ont, ! noticed that Miss Emma was losing
her pretty smile and merry words, and
was pale and often red-eycd, as if she
mad been crying. jim, who was seeing
her, you mind, every Sunday, he told
me he noticed it too. We, though we
Knew our place too we'll to say a word,
were very sorry, for there was trouble
somewhere, we were very sure.
One night, Jim, while he was eating
MS supper, heaves a great sigh, and says
he to me:
i think I know what ais our Miss
Emma, mother" says he.
What makes you think so?' says I.
Ems master hand, ma'am, to read,