The morning call., 1892-04-07
Why HANNAH DIDN'T GO.

The report started in Bake's store. To
disbelieve a report that started in Blake's
store was an unheard-uf hereSy at the Cor
ners. So, astounding as this was, the Cor
ners received it without shadow of doubt.
1t hardly needed to be known that Mrs.
Goodrich was the authority.
She was down at the store Saturday after
noon as usual to make her weekly pur-
chases. Arson Blake, who never failed
when groceries were purchased to conduct
the customer to the other end of the store
to look at the drygoods, and vice versa, en-
deayored to lead Mrs. Goodrich over to look
at some new winter goods. Then it came
ont. With bit of pardonable pride she let
hi N know that she had no need TO look at
fall goods in Witham Corners, or in Whitman
Center either, since ''her Hannah was going
TO the city next week to do their fall ship
PIN; that she, Hannah, had an aunt there.
who had the whole summer been urgin' her
TO come. and that now she was goin' for
few days"
Mrs. Goodrich shook her large skirts and
swept nut-fguratively speaking. of course,
as her garments always escaped the floor by
some Inches.
Meeting was hardly over the next day be-
fore Hannah was interyie wed as to her iD-
tended trip. and the ladies who were not
present In the morning interviewed her in
the evening on the subject They we're so
numerous then, aud kept her SO long, that
Jerry Downing, waiting lmpa iently Tor her
outside, concluded she had gone out the
baekdoor on purpose to cut him, and walked
home with another girl. His mother, who
had not been on speaking terms with Mrs.
Goodrich since that good lady made some
remarks on the strength of the butter Mrs.
Downing brought TO the minister's donation
last winter. let Jerry know when he got
home Of Hannah's intended trip, and sug-
gested that a girl who couldn't buy her
winter dress at the Corners, but must 60 to
New York for 1t, was too fine TO be farm
er's wife. Jerry went TO bed in despair,
while Hannah was crying herself TO sleep,
wondering how she could have offended
him.
The next afternoon, when she came in
from her school, Hannah was more than
surprised to find Mrs. Downing in the sit
tng-rOom with her mother. As the visitor
had not been in their house for a year,
Hannah was sure that she bore some mes
sage from Jerry, and greeted her accord
ingly, wondering meanwhile why her
mother looked so grim. and knit as furiously
as If the whole family were barefooted and
suffering
Ii was no message from Jerry, however,
that brought Mrs. Downing there to-day.
The lad was ploughing in distant field
and did not know of his mothers call.
After her little remark last night about
thought best TO keep this visit secret from
him.
81 was just telling your ma" she began,
when Hannah, flushed and eXpectant, was
seated, that I'd been down to BlaBe's to
get my winter dress. and that there want
thing there I'd put on nv back"
ION, not thingw Hannah assented.
quickly. I'm going TO New York for our
winter things.
80 1 heard; and I was telling your ma
that, so long a you are going 10 town and
going a-shOpping, buying one more dress
wouldn't be 10 more trouble to you"
Buying whole wardrobe for Jerry's
mother would have been delight
"Oh. no ;rouble-a pleasure!' Hannah
cried, despite her mothers frown.
There's that brown merino | got three
years ago this fall, Mrs. Downing went
on. The wear I've had out of Ii Just beats
all. I've worn it steadily wherever I went.
L was telling your ma that didn't know as
/ could be suited better than TO have another
one just ike 1t. So if you don't mind get
ting me ten yards Of dark brown merino-
say about so cents yard-or you might go
as high as SID be as much obliged, and
do the same by YOU"
Don't mention it," cried Hannah, taking
out her notebook and adding this small item
to the long family list
The money'll be all right" added Mrs
Downing.
"Of course it WILL" Hannah laughed.
Going to stay long?"
FROM thursday TO Monday only. can't
leave my school longer"
"I'll be over, then, Monday night after it,
"Waal, | must saw" Mrs. Goodrich burst
cut. as the door closed after Mrs. Downing,
"she's got brass! The Idea of her askin'
you to lug dress up from the city Tor her!
j didn't give her any encouragement when
she spoke to me about 1t, / can tell YOU"
"Oh, mother, / wouldn't refuse for the
world" Hannah returned. How could I?"
Tea was over Mrs. Goodrich was wash
ing the dishes, Hannah drying them. when
tue kitchen door was unceremoniously
opened. A tall, gaunt woman, with COM
handing air, as II she were at the head Of
disOrderly regiment, marched in. 1t was
Mrs. NJ core.
81 was down to Mis- Downing's," she
began, without small prelude of a greet
ing, fur dish O. tea an few minutes
set, an she was telln' me that Hannah was
goin' TO the city this week"
Yes, on THURSDAY" Hannah answered.
will You sit DOWN."
Il baint no time fur set. Mary she's
gone over to her grandmothers, and there
amt NOBODY 10 bum TO git Moore's supper
MIS-, Downing was saying, you was goin' to
git her browa mereeneT."
Yes"
al s'pose it won't be no trouble, as you're
buyin', to buy me a black mereener, too, ct
the same timer"
None whatever" Hannah's smile was
How long be you gon' to stayP"
Till Monday"
'Pll be round Monday eyenin' with the
money. You can git me 75-cent stuff, about
seven yards
She departed with as little ceremony as
she had entered.
Il told you SOL told you So" said Mrs,
Goodrich, as she lighted a candle, and went
down eel ar with the milk "Ef you do fur
one, you'll have TO do fur the whole town."