West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-03-27
HOW II ALL CAME ABOUT.
BY ANNA SHIELDS.


Well, ma'am, it was quite a story. but
] never felt free TO tell il to ANYBODY be
fore; but since YOU arc so anxious To
know about it, I'll tell you how it all
came about. Them fine embroideries
and the yards Of crimping's of my mind
now, and il you'll take chair I'll talk
and rest bit
You'll hardly believe me. seeing what
heap Miss Sanderson thinks of me now.
that 1t Is only little over a year since ]
first knew her, but it is just so. 1t all
came about through jim. ,Jim's my only
son, ma'am, and he's been better'n two
year tow-boy on the horsc-ca
You don't know what n tow-boy isl
Well, 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
or down hill TO meet one. He's good.
steady boy, and his wages arc a great
help, seeing am not strong enough for
heavy washing, and fine aint always to
be had.
Well, ma'am, about fifteen months
back, Jim, not being we'll used to the
horse rs he is now, fell of and broke his
arm. He came home, and the pain
threw him into a fever, and he was very
bad for quite a long spell 1t was when
he was lying very sick, that one day /
heard knock, and opened the door FOR
the prcttiest young lady ever my two eyes
saw. She was about eighteen; as white
as one of my fine linen colors newly
ironed, with the prettiest touch of pink
IN her checks. Her eyes were as blue rs
the china cup you see on the shelf you-
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.
''Are you Mrs. McArdlc3" she asked
me.
"Ycs, Miss" / said, hoping it was
fine washing she wanted done.
"I heard today" she said. "that nv
best schoolar in Sunday school had met
with an accident. You are James Nc
Ardlc's mother, are you not2n
YES, Miss" i said. "Will YOU walk
| ini 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 a picture. Not as il
/ 1T was charity, you see, for we've never
como TO that, ma'am, though I'm not say
ing sc haven't been pretty hard pushed
sometimes. But rs ] was saving. the
basket was as pretty and delicate as il it
| was for a iinc lady instead Of a little tow
boy, that had got hurt earning his day' s
| wages.
After that She came often aud often.
! bringing jim books and little tempting
| things 20 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 of my hands.
! She asked INC to do up her fnc things,
and her papa's shirts, as if it was favor
/ was doing hcr, telling me how particu
lar she was, and the trouble it was TO her
/ 60 get suited in fine washing.
Well, ma am, not 70 make too long 70
I story, after jim got well went 90 The
| house twice week to get the WASHING
/ and take IL back and ] always saw Miss
/ Emma. II was grand house. with par
| lors like q hotel, and wide starcases. and
/ great bedrooms splendidly furnished
/ And Miss Emma had no mother. but was
/ the mistress Of IL all
was AN taken aback the first time
saw her Pc, for he was as rough as Sic
was gentle, and looked moic like labor.
ing man than a fnc gentleman, for all his
| fine clothes. But hc was very prompt ~
| pay and always had % pleasant word Tor
/ me about The beautiful ironing Of bis
shirts and cuffs. And, though say 10 o.,
I shouldn't, you might go "a long way to
| find prctticr linen than I took up cvcry
week to Mr. SaBdcrson's. But after "a
bit, ! noticed chat Miss Emma was losing
q her pretty smile and merry words. and
was pale and often rcd-cyed, AS 10 She
had been crying. Jim. who was seeing
Z hcr. you mind, every Sunday, hc told
/ noe hc noticed it too We, though wc
{ know our place too we'll 10 say word
\ were very sorry, for there was trouble
| somewhere, we were very sure.
One night, Jim, while hc was eating
/ IBIS supper, heavcs "a great sigh. and SAYS
/ Doc TO- me:
u think 7 know what als our Mis-,
Emma, mother, says he
.What makes you think sol" says 7.
Jim's q master hand, ma am, to read.
and he gets the papers often that's left
in the cars, and reads the stories, of
maybe he wouldn't a noticed what D.,
did
''Why, mothorw says he, "therc wa.
/ % gentleman used 90 come with Mis-.
/ Emma 20 church I've seen him often
an often, but he never comes 10 tho Sun
day school, only 20 church Hc wor,
diamond studs, and shiny boots and q
Glk hat % regular swell aud She used
/ to look as pleased as n baby with toy
when hc was with her Well, hc hasn Q
been 70 church Tor more'n a month, and