The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-01-23
THAT CITY CHAP.

j.
Abigail Toxins that her mother
Ma as she called her would not
lot her, Abigail. 60 TO the party 1t
neiehbor Watkins 1t seemed not
only ridiculous but unjust for. during
the two weeks preceding the oventful
party night Ma had not only ap-
proved OF her going but had even
helped her make q new dress for the
occasion. and now, the night having
arrived. for no apparent reason she
had declared that Abby must stay at
home sse fst y ssi,
This was Abby's side OF the story.
and this she kept repeating to herself
as she sat In her own room late that
afternoon. looking mournfully at the
new dress spread out on the bed be-
fore her, and occasionally dashing the
back OF her hand across her eyes to
wipe away those tears which. do what
she would. persisted in rising re-
belliously.
But Mother Toxins tale was very
different As she told her good
friend. Mrs. Hopping. who had just
atopped in for q moments chat she
had very good reason for keeping
her daughter at home that night
nNow, I'll tell you. Mrs. Hopping,
because know you won't ever let 1t
reach any of the Weaknesses (the
good lady knew this to be the quick.
est and most reliable way to get the
story to neighbor Watkinss family.
In tell you why I'm keeping Abby
to home. You sea. Tom Watkins has
ben keepin' company with my girl for
most a six-month and he's awful
hard hit II let Abby 60 ternight
there's no tellin' whatll happen.
She's just like as not to get struck
with that city Teller that's comm
down to spend the summer over to the
Watkins's. They do say, them that
sce him before. that he's mighty
pleasant Now. then, where'll poor
Tom bep / tell You what tbs, Mrs.
Hoppin'" (and here Mrs. Toxins
Aeaved deep sigh and leaned very
solemn face over the pan of half peeled
potatoes). 1 tell you, 'twould be
downright wrong, wicked. for me 10
let that young girl go and jest p rhaps
ruin that poor Toms life for him. now
wouldn't itP'
Yes indeed. Mrs. Tookins," the
other woman replied. IF you let her
do sech thing you wouldn't desarve
salvation nohow." and the pious Mrs.
Hopping rolled her horror-stricken
eyes toward the rafters. Soon after
she took her leave. At /
As Mrs. Toxins, standing on her
doorstep, watched her friend waddle
slowly down the road, she thought to
herself: Nov. Of she'll only be
real quick an tell the Weaknesses,
know it'll bring Tom round. When
he thinks he may lose Abby / guess
he IL look alive"
Mrs. Hopping. on the other hand.
rs she turned at the bend of the road
to wave last good-by to her neigh
Dor. said to herself: II know she
thinks that doll-faoed little Abby oi
hers has got ahead OF my Sarah; but
we'll see. calcerlate Hannah Wat
kins won't be over Particular pleased
il l let her think Susan Toxins
lookin' for higher game than her Tom
for Abby; don't care to have 'em to-
gether much while that city feller|s
round; guess it'll gall her bit'
And Mrs. Hopping chuckled to her
self as she tried to hurry along the
road.
So tho story was told half an hour
later at the Weaknesses Mrs Hopping
'jest happened to be passin' their way
and thought she'd Jest stop in to LEI
them know Abby Toxins couldn't
come that night Too bad. wasn't itF
But then, Mrs. Toxins was always
kinder stuck up" etc, until the rest
OF the story. as conceived by Mrs.
Hopping, had been told.
Meanwhile, the poor girl on whose
account these good ladies troubled
themselves so much sat lonely in her
room. thinking OF the dance that she
was to miss which all the Others
were TO enjoy, and-of Tom. n
Gle would see them all but her;
and Sarah Hopping. she knew she
would be extra nice to Tom tonight
and would look so pretty. and-Oh! Il
Tom would only say whether he cared
most for her Abby. sitting here alone.
thinking OF him. He had said every
thing else. and yet -he was SO nice
to the other girls and tonight he
would see them all but her." A
thought seemed to strike her; slowly
she went down stairs into the kitchen;
ma. can / help you get the support"
Mo Abby. child. Asupper's all
ready" the mother replied, dow you
lest eli down and pail Be IN IA enin-
~ and we'll hsv resi- good eyehin'
together. II wouldn't mind the old
party.r * III FIN 49,
ABBY said nothing. and, soon Aaa
Mrs. Toxins had predicted pa oame
In. Then they sat down 70 table and
after long grace during which Alb.
by's eyes would wander towards the
clock. supper began They didn't talk
much. Ma was thinking. Now, + m
sure. Of Tom Watkins hears I'm keep.
in Abby away from that city fellerson
his account, he'll speak right upNsoon,
or he amt the honest chap .Istock
him fer. He amt goin' 70 lose her
don't think, but oh, my! he 10 slow. to
be sure. In comm to the pint " AS
for Pa Toxins he was utterly be-
wiIdered and so held his peace Ma