Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-06

Says, Will d NOou luCh W
yer purity faces. IT'S long time now, Miss
Beresford, since We came, or Miss Kit there"
Il promised your mother pudding, and
have brought it." says Kit
Look at that, now! IT'S trouble we
are to We entirely. Mother, wake up bit,
an thank Miss Kit for what she's brought
ye."
"Ye're too kind, ashore, too kind" num-
bles the old woman in the corner, turning
eyes that are still full of light upon the
child, Ito think of an ould 'ooman now in
the grave as it might be. Ay, fax! An the
bells a-ringin' too. 1 can hear 'em some
times, when the winds down-eh-"
Nonsense, motheri the yard [church-
yard will be lonelyfor We yet awhile" says
Mrs. DAILY, junior, cheerfully. ''See, now!
taste this; twill do We good. An you'll sit
down, Miss Monica, l hope. Take care,
honey, till dust the chair for ye." This is
dexterOusly done with the corner of her
apron. An yen take a dhrop O tay too,
maybe: oh, We will, now, if only to place
me, afther yer long walk, an all to honor
the ould woman"
''Ah, there is Mrs. Moloneyr' says Kit,
addressing the second younger woman, who
is thin little peasant with a somewhat dis
contented expression. The sun blinded
my eyes so that l could not see you at first
Nave you heard from your boy at sea?"
Eyes, miss Praises be above! He's doin'
we'll, he says; but it's belize I'll never see a
sight of his handsome face again"
''Oh, nonsense, now, Mrs. Moloney, me
dear? What are We talkin' like that for?"
says young Mrs. DAILY, who seems to be the
parish consider. Sure it's back he'll be
wild We before the new year."
''Oh, yes, nope So" says Monica, softly.
"'TiS hard to hope, miss, wild the rowling
wind O nights, an the waves dashin' up on
the beach,"
'Ye're an ould croaker," says Mrs. DAILY,
giving her good-humored shake. AN
now sit down, Miss Monica an Miss Kit, do,
till l get We the sup O. tay. Mrs. Mooney
me dear, jist give the fire poke, an make
the kittle sing us song. IT'S the music we
want most now.'
1t would have been considered not only q
rudeness, but an act of hauteur, to refuse
this simple hospitality; so the girls seat
themselves, and, indeed, to tell the truth,
are rather glad than otherwise of this chance
OF securing their afternoon tea.
AN how are the old ladies up above"'
says Mrs. DAILY, meaning the Misses Blake.
Quite well, thank you" says Monica. ut
was only yesterday Aunt Priscilla was say
ing she should come down and see old Mrs.
DAILY"
''She'S as welcome as the flowers in May
whenever she comes" says the daughter-in-
law. Dye hear that mother? Miss Pris-
elias comm to see ye, some day soon. Ay,
It's a good friend she always was to the poor,
summer an winter; an isn't it wonderful
now, Miss Monica, how she'Skept her figure
all through? Why" raising her hands with
an expressive gesture of establishment,
"'twas Friday week l saw her, an I said to
myself, says 1, she's the figure O. young
girl, says. Yell take taste O. this home
made cake, alannaT
She is made happy forever by Kits un-
mistakable enjoyment of this last-named
luxury.
''Ay, she's an iligant figure even now,"
says Mrs. Moloney, in her depressing voice.
But time an throuble is cruel hard on some
of US. | had figure meself when was
young" with heart-reading sigh.
'Ye were always slight me dear, an ye're
slight now too" says Mrs. Daily, tenderly.
Il niver see the like O. We for keepin' off the
flesh. Why, I remember We well as slip 20
a girl, before yer blessed baby was born,
an We were screed me dear,-a screed."
eyes, 1 was always ginteel," says Mrs.
MolOney, openly cOnsoled. Still she signs,
and sips her tea with mournful air. Mrs.
DAILY is drinking hers with much apprecia-
ton out of her saucer, it being considered
discourteous to offer anything to a guest
without partaking of the same ones self.
At this moment a little cooling sound COM
ing from the other corner of the fireplace
makes itself heard. Instantly the old wo-
man STOPPING over the turf embers rouses
herself, and turning, puts out her withered
hand lovingly toward what looks like box
covered with cOlored stuff of some sort.
Young Mrs. DAILY rises, too, precipitately,
and, hurrying across the kitchen, bends over
the box.
cay, she's awake sure enough" says the
old woman, who has quite frightened into
life. 'See how she looks at We, Molly! The
colleen of the world, she was ashore mach
ree-sthig."
Many another fond name is muttered,
such as ''pulse O. my heart" and such like,
before Mrs. Daily Junior energies from the
supposed box, but not empty-handed.
ooh, it is the babyp' cry Monica and Kit,
in breath. ''Oh! what darling baby land
what red, red cheeks, just like June rose p'
1t is the only daughter of the house, so
the mother is of course inordinately proud
of it. She places it, with quite little -four
ish of triumph, in Monica's arms, to Kits
terrible but unspoken disappointment.
''She grows prettier every day. She is
really the sweetest baby | ever saw in my
life p says Monica, enthusiastically, to whom
babies are an endless Joy.
The mother is pleased beyond doubt at
these compliments, yet shade of anxiety
crosses her brow. To praise child too much,
in no of ic
to overlook it; and when a child is s'over-
looked" it dies. The smile fades from Mrs.
Days bonny face and her mouth grows
anxious.
You should say, God bless her, miss
when We give her the good word" says Mrs.
MOlOney timidly, who is also bending over
the beloved bundle, and notes the distress
in her neighbours eyes.
"God bless herr' saws Monica. with pret-
~ SOlemnlty, after which the mothers racs
clears, and sunshine is again restored to it
Il think she knows We" she says tn Moni
ca. 'See how she blinkS at ye! Arreh
took, now, how she clutches at yer hand
viii ye come to yer mother now, darlin', -
will We? Sure It's starvin' We must be- By
this"
oh! don't take her yet" says Monica
entreatingly.
A little figure with naked legs and feet
creeping into the doorway at this moment
draws near the baby as if fascinated. 1t il
Paudheen, the eldest son of the house, and
baby's qlalrse,-save the mark
Come nearer, Paddy" says Monica, smil-
ing at him with sweet encouragement; bu,
Paddy stops short and regards her doubt
fully.
Come, then, and kiss your little sister,"
continues Monica, gently; but Paddy is still
obdmate, and declines to hearken to the
voice of the charmer, charm she never so
wisely There is, indeed, a sad lack both Of
sweetness and light about Paddy.