The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-30
LYDIA'S SACRIFICE.

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Lydia sat in the porch looking down
into the orchard, all pink with apple
blossoms. A warm May wind blew the
curls on her forehead to and fro, and
made her feel too drowsy to read. mid
dlemarch" had sunk into her lap, with
one finger between the leaves to keep the
place, and she was half asleep when tho
sound Of voices from the sitting room be-
hind her foated out and became part Of
her day dream.
Seems to me,v said q h-pitched
tone, which she knew to be that OF
neighbor, "seems to me you amt lookin'
jest up to the mark this spring, Mis-
Marcy"
"Weil, don't know as am feelin' any
too spry," returned the gentle old voice
Of Lydia's grandmother. 81 expect it's
this dreadful hot weather comm on all
of sudden so. I've been thinkin' I'd
start in talkin' some birthstone and mo-
lasses three mornin's and then skip
three. Anybody needs little medicine
in the spring. don't seem to have
much Of an appetite, and Pm weak rs .
rag
Maybe It's the cookin, OF that
hired girl from the city, that you amt
used to, suggested the neighbo "How
does she take holdf Is she much Of .
handf,
"Well, Lyddy's satisfied with her, and
she knows more than do about the way
they do things nowadays. She's visited
the Governors folks and round among
her schoolmates q good deal, and she's
seen just how things ought to be.
guess they set pretty good table to Gov.
Cobb's.
al guess they do" said the neighbor.
"But it's kind o. hard for an old woman
like me to get used to new tangled ways.
There amt nothin' relishin' to me in
such little warmed over messes. Ideclare,
I'd like nothin' better for my dinner
than good rye and Injun cake and
nice, hot cup of teal"
I'D like to know what in the world
there 10 to bender you havin' itf' cried
the neighbor, sitting up straight.
Well, Lyddy, she says it amt the
fashion to have tea for dinner, and give
in to her sooner N to make fuss. You
see, Mis- Seayey, young folks is young
folks. When Lyddy come home from
boardin' school last fall / could see twas
hard for her.
The old lady paused.
The house amt new" she resumed.
Why, I've lived here myself, winter and
summer, goin' en- sixty year. Our ways
here amt like city ways, and she wanted
20 ask some OF her mates up here; but
could tell twas mortifyin' to her to think
OF their comm to such poor old place,
and me, too, so behind the times.
So just says nothin', and let her 60
ahead her own way fixin' things up.
Good land, Mis- Seaveyl just wish you
could see the best parlorin
What has she done to 1T" asked Mrs.
Seavey.
The village did not think much OF
Lydia since she had returned from school,
q tall, stylish girl, with more airs than
"a music box" as the ladies declared at the
sewing circle.
Why, the chairs and the tables is all
twisted every which way. Looks as il a
high wind had been BLOWN through.
The blinds is all left wide open, and the
sun streamin' in, a-fadin' out the carpet
like everything. Body Brussels, too,
Mis- Seaveyin
Good landl'' said Mrs. Seavey.
She's got out some of the best chiny
and stood up the plates on the mantel-
piece, and more of 'em hangin' on the
wall. There's old shawls dangIin' in
painted when he was a young man, she's
took down altogether. She says it's aw-
full y
Dear suzp cried the neighbor.
But I'm sure the minister used to set
sight by that picture. never come in
when he was here but found him look
in at it. She's stood some plants on the
floor by the windows. She's-welI, can't
tell you all. She wants we should set
there common every day. l don't know
what her grandfather would say if he
could see it.. Iexpect he would turn over
in his grave"
Poor Mrs. Marcy was quite out of
breath as she poured out her soul To
have the sacred best parlor profaned had
been sore trial, which it took all her
love for Lydia to bear. To sit there
common would have been to her as
wicked as to carry her knitting to the
meeting house.
"She wants ] should dress up every
afternoon in my best black silk and the
white net cap Sarah Sheldon made me.
That silks too good to set around in.
It's only been turned twice, and I've KEEP
1t nice for funerals and when do go to
meetin', though that amt often now.
Why, it'll get all shiny in no time il 90
to putin it on every day. let alone my
feelin' Like fool all rugged up so when
there amt no occasion. Lyddy, she's
different Young folks ought to rig.
Now, Miss Seayey, don't want You
to think I'm complainin'. AtSmy time o.
life it's hard work tryin' to git into new
ways. But land! You can git used to any
thing. 1t makes Lyddy happy Poor
childi It's hard for her to be penned up
here in the country. There amt pref
tier7appearin' girl in New York or Bos-
ton, Pll be bound
Mrs. Seayay bounced up in wrath.
Pretty appearingf What's pretty ap.
pearing, I'd like to know, when she's
pesterin' your life out, and Just as selfish