Middletown transcript., 1894-03-24

GG84&2 sS doorstep to enjoy
kISX2N$NYOIZI the quiet evening
- hour. She had
lived in the little town of Middlebourn
fifty uneventful years, and since the
death of her mother, four years before,
all alone in the gabled- roof homestead
that had sheltered her childhood.
Miss Cynthia wor ked hard to make
both ends meet and also to lay by a
small surplus yearly for cherished
object. She did clear starching for
Mrs. Peirson, up on the hill, made jtl-
lies and preserves, which the grocer
sold for her, and pieced innumerable
quilts for the neighbors, who had no
time to work up their own calico and
worsted. But she did not mind the
work. She was thankful TO possess
this home of her own, if there we're
only four rooms, two above and two
below, simply furnished, but clean and
neat as hands could make them. There
was tiny yard in front, full of old
fashioned flowers, kitchen garden
back and long green strip running
down to thread-like stream, rather
stony and of little value, but 80 con
venient, Miss Cynthia said, to bleach
clothes.
On this particular evening Miss
Cynthia's usually serene countenanct
wore look of unwonted cheerfulness
and animation. Presently her evident ly
happy thoughts br, Ike forth in words,
for, from being SO much alone, she had
fallen into the habit of talking aloud.
''Sakes alive! an I'm agoin' to have
my front porch at last! Let me see
how many years I've been savin' up
fur it, an settle on this same doorstep
an plannin' it out in my head! Three
years or more! an now the money is
all ready fur the carpenter, safe in the
blue mug in the corner cupboard. l
always did want a front porch, it's so
comfortable am stylish like.
'Being as this is Saturday night,
bright an early Monday mornin' III
go an see Mr.. Thomson, fur they do
gay he is the best workman, an must
have the best on that porch. I'll have
some frescCes on it, as Mis- Smith calls
'en,, an it shall be painted white, with
green band. III git Martha W .sh-
ington rose to climb over it, fur hear
lisa fast grower, an a Virginia creepef
10 make shade. Mis- Cannon prom
ised me cuttin.'
Miss Cynthia'S heart was full of hope
and exl ectation, and her thoughts did
not dwell for a moment on the truth
that her contemplated porch represented
months and years of self-dt nlal-bread
without butter oft times, meatless dill
lers. a thr Q trimmed bonnet, and
made over drt sses; those minor trials
we're as nothing, now that she had
attained her desire.
1t was Miss Cynthia's rule to close
her house and retire early Saturday
nights, SO as to be fresh for Sunday
morning, and on the same principles
she always laid out. on the spare bed
her simple Sunday attire; straw
bonpet and plain black dress, with
a 3, ,arched white skirt, the latter a
luxury Miss Cynthia delighted in, and
which she maintained was no exirava-
gance, as she did it up herself.
Miss Cynthia never allowed anything,
except illness, to keep her from her
seat on the Sabbath day, in the meet
ing house, at the end Of the street.
S,me one once suggested TO her that,
40 she worked so hard during the week,
sha would be excusable to sometimes
remain at home, but she replied that it
ras,ed her to 60, and, indeed, anyone
behulding her earnest countenance
while i'm the sanctuary. and her look OF
peace and satisfaction when she Came
aut could easily divine that her soul
h.d heen refreshed in green pastures
and by still waters.
n.f,re The last bell hid begun to
ring Miss Cynthia, hymn BOOK in
hand wended her way to. meeting,
1;,,la thinking That ere she retraced her
s,ens her whole life, in certain sense,
would be revolutionized.
III was a little difficult at first for her
"a Keep her thoughts off the porch and
hsr tender conscience gave her atwinge
!, overv dereliction, but when the
singing and prayer we're over' anu tne
,,.stor began his sermon, every faculty
.n,e absorbed in his theme, His
tsxt was, "Insomuch as ye have done
:, INTO the least of these, my brethren,
~ have done 1t unto me-" He made
,onching appeal to his people for the
sanv moor. suffering little children,
shut mn in the hot city, to whom few
80 spept in the country village
,,ouId ouen mine of joy and pleasure,
nd besought those who could to open
,bair hearts and homes to some OF those
,i,,,a waifs. 1T might entail self-denial
and Inconvenience" he said, put
- ware they not willing todo it, in His
napeP"