The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-10-21
LYDIA'S SACRIFICE.

LII lAO OACRIFICE.
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 the
sound of voices from the sitting room be-
hind her foated out and became part of
her day dream.
"Seems to me-" said a high pitched
! tone, which she knew to be that Of
neighbor, seems to me you amt lookin'
/ jest up to the mark this spring, Mig
/ Marcy"
"Well, l don't know as / am feelin any
too spry," returned the gentle old voice
Of Lydia's grandmother. al expect it's
this dreadful hot weather comm on ali
of a sudden 50. I've been thinkin' I'd
start in takin' some birthstone and mo-
lasses three mornin's and then skip
three. Anybody needs little medicine
in the spring. l don't seem to have
much of an appetite, and Pm weak as
rag"
maybe it's the cookin' of that
hired girl from the city, that you amt
used to-" suggested Z he neighbor. Chow
does she take hold? Is she much of
hand?n
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 schoomates good deal, and she's
seen just how things ought to be. /
guess they set pretty good table to Gov.
Cobbs.
d" guess they do" said the neighb
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. declare,
I'd like nothin' better for my dinner
than a good rye and Injun cake and
nice, hot cup of teal"
I'D like to know what in the world
there is to hender you havin' it?" cried
the neighbor, sitting up straight.
We'll, Lyddy, she says it amt the
fashion to have tea for Inner, and give
in to her sooner N to make fuss. You
see, Mis- Seavey, 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
to 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.
$50 l just says nothin', and let her go
ahead her own way fxin' things up.
Good land, Mis- Seavey! l just wish you
could see the best parlorl"
g What has she done to it?" asked Mrs
Seavey.
The village did not think much of
Lydia since she had returned from school,
a 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 if 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- Seaveyl"
Good lanGW said Mrs. Seavey.
"Shes 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 a danglin' in
the doorways. That picture of father,
painted when he was a young man, she's
took down altogether. She says it's aw-
full"
Dear suz!" cried the neighbor.
But Pm sure the minister used to set
a sight by that picture. 1 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 well, / 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. expect he would turn over
in his grave"
Poor Mrs Marcy was quite out of
breath as sho poured out her soul. To
have the sacred best parlor profsnad had
been sore ,r.9L, which it took all her
love for Lydia to bear. To sit there
common would have been to her al
wicked as 10 carry her knitting to Inc
meeting house.
's5he wants ] should dress uD every
afternoon in my best black silk end he
white net cap Sarah Sheldon made me-.
That silks too good TO set around in.
It's only been turned twice, and I've kop,
10 INV ~ a4e anu NASH 90 go TO
meetin'. though that amt often now.
Why, itH get all shiny in no time II 20
to PUTIN it on every day, let alone nv
feelin' like fool all rugged up SO when
there amt no occasion. Lyddy, she's
different. Young folks ought to rig
Now, Miss Seavey, l don't want Won
TO think Pm complainin' AT my ti,ao o.
life it's hard work tryin' to git INTO new
ways But landi you can git used to anv-
thing. 1t makes LyGdy happy. poor
child It's hard for her to Be penned, 10
here in the country. There amt pset-
tier-appearin' girl N New York or Bos-
ton, pll be bound"
Mrs. Seavey bounced up in wrath.
Pretty appearing? What's pretty ap-
pearing, I'd like to know, when she's
pesterin' your life out, anu Just as selfish