The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-01-06


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 il nice for funerals an when do
60 to meetin', though that amt often
now. Why, it'll get all shiny in no
time il 1 60 to putin II 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, Mis- Seavey, don't want you
to think I'm complainin'. At my time
O life it's hard work tryin' to git into
new ways. But land! you can git used
to anything. II makes Lyddy happy.
Poor child! It's hard for her to be
penned up here in the country. There
amt . prettier-appearin' girl in New
York or Boston I'll be bound"
Mrs. Seavey bounced up in wrath.
Pretty appearing What's pretty
appearing, I'd like to know. when she's
pesterin' your life out, and just ns sell
fish as she can he I've got to run
back now, for Johns comm home to
dinner, but I'm goin' to stir you up
mess of rye and Injun cakes, and if you
don't have some for your dinner, and o
dish of tea, too, I'll come in bimeby and
give your Lyddy q piece OF my mind.
Good-by !"
OF she trudged, burning with a sense
of the old lady's wrongs, and trying to
peep into the reconstructed best parlor
as she went through the entry.
The village did not think much Of
Lydia since she returned from school,
tall, stylish girl, with more airs than
q music-box," as the ladies declared at
the sewing circle.
Lydia sat quietly after the voices had
died away, no longer sleepy, but half
amused half sad. She had been thor
oughly discontented at the homely old
farmhouse after her very modern home
at school. 1t really seemed to her that
she had shown nobleness of soul in
choking down the despair in her heart
and trying to make the best of things
The parlor especially she looked upon
quite as an artistic triumph. But no
amount of talking and scolding could
put the Marcy household on stylish
footing. Plain and old-fashioned it
was, and so would it remain in spite of
all her efforts.
Grandma is so obstinate y Lydia
had groaned in her own room.
The little talk she had now over
herd put q new aspect upon it all. She
how her grandmother had been sorely
bewildered by the new ideas, and how
the sweet old soul had struggled ST.
lently to come into harmony with
q strange order of things with an un-
selfishness that made Lydia's trials seem
trifing.
Then she flew to the best parlor, and
in a very little while had brought back
its old prim order. She pushed the
hair-cloth chairs back stiffly against the
wall, closed the blinds at the windows
and took away every aesthetic touch she
had given.
Last, but not least, out of the closet
under the stairs she dragged the de-
spised portrait of her ancestor in the
gaudy militia uniform. Laughing
quietly at its grotesqueness, she hung
this work of art up on its old nail,
where it was easily the most prominent
thing in the room.
When all was done a gloomier and
more forbidding apartment had never
been seen, but, just as it was, grandma
loved it.
When the old lady awoLe the sun
was streaming in across the sitting-roonl
floor and the bell was ringing for din.
ner. Lydia appeared in the doorway
with bright smile, prettier than ever
Come, grandma she called, din
ner is ready, and Mrs. Seavey has JUS
sent in little Kitty with some deliciou:
cakes for you
A great pleasure fitted over grand
mas face as she stepped eagerly to
wards the dining room, leaning on hel
cane.
Il do believe they're rye and Injun,
she exclaimed, as delightedly as {
child, helping herself from the well
filed plate.
Il thought perhaps you might like .
!. cup Of tea, too" added Lydia, getting
. up from her place to put the cup dow1
by her grandmother, and trying not t.
see the scorn OF the hired girl from III,
city, who had great contempt fol
dinner at noon and tea at dinner.
. Lydia laughed and chatted cheerful,
until the meal was ended, and Mrs
Marcy breathed long sigh of satisfac
ton.
Il declare !" Mrs. Marcy said, risint
from her seat at last. II don't know
as I've ever had an'thing taste so goot
to me. Those cakes Of Missy Seavey'
were just beautiful, and L do enjo,
! some hot drink in the middle of th
day. 1t kind O. goes to the spot"
Lydia drew her gently along until
through the open door in the parlor
her glance fell upon grandpa's pistur
back in its place on the wall.
Why, Lyddy," she whispered, will
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