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

Lydia sat on 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.
Middlemarch" 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 sit
ting room behind her foated out and
became part of her day dream.
Seems to me, said high-pitched
tone, which she knew to be that of q
neighbor, "seems to me you amt look
in jest up to the mark this spring, Mis-
Marcy"
"Well, I don't know as I am feelin'
any too spry." returned the gentle old
voice of Lydia's grandmother. II ex-
pect it's this dreadful hot weather COM
in on all of sudden so. I've been
thinkin I'd start in takin' some brim-
stone and molasses three mornin's and
then skip three Anybody needs little
medicine in the spring. I don't seem
to have much of any appetite, and I'm
weak as rag
MAYBE it's the cookin' of that hired
girl from the city, that you amt used
to-" suggested the neighbor. How
does she take hold ? Is she much of
hand ?"
} "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 good
deal, and she's seen just how things
ought to be. guess they set a pretty
good table to Governor Cobb's."
Il guess they do, said the neighbor.
'But it's kind O hard for an old
woman like me to get used to new-fang-
led ways. There amt nothin' relishin'
to me in such little warmed-over messes.
declare, I'd like nothin' better for my
dinner than good rye and Injun cake
and a nice, hot cup of tea T.
"Td like to know what in the world
there is to hender your havin' it ?"
cried the neighbor, sitting up straight.
"Well. Lyddy she says it amt the
fashion to have tea for dinner, and I
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.
1.-The house amt new" she resumed.
"Why I've lived here myself, Winter
and Summer, goin' on 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 coming to such
a poor old place, and to me, too, so far
behind the times
$50 1 just says nothin', and let her go
ahead her own way fixin' things up.
Good land, Mis- Seavey! just wish
you could see the best parlor r
What has she done to it p asked
Mrs Seavey.
!, 'Why, the chairs and the tables is all
twisted every which way. Looks as if
high wind had been blowin' through.
The blinds is all left wide open, and the
sun streamin' in, a-fadin' out the car
pet like everything. Body Brussels,
too, Mis- Seavey =
Good land " said Mrs. Seavey
one got OUT some OF tne DeSt emmy
and stood up the plates on the mantel-
piece, aud more of 'em hangin' on the
wall. There's old shawls danglin' in
the doorways. That picture of father,
painted when he was young man,
she's took down altogether. She says
it's awful"
\ Dear SUI " cried the neighbor.
"But I'm sure the minister used tc
set sight by that picture. / never
come in when he was here but / found
him lookin' at it. She's stood some
plants on the floor by the windows
She's-well, 1 can't tell you all. She
wants we should set there common
every day. 1 don't know what he
grandfather would say if he could Sc,
1t, expect he would turn over in hi
grave
Poor Mrs Marcy was quite out o
breath as she poured out her soul II
have the sacred best parlor profane,
mad been sore trial, which it took al
her love for Lydia to bear. TO sit ther
common would have been to her a
wicked as to carry her knitting to til
meeting house.