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The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07
OPINIONS BY
A1ATILDY
PERKINS.
characters
10 cents.

Soon after an excited group Of neigh
bors gathered on Mrs. Stoddard's front
doorstep to discuss its advent. After a
season Of fruitless conjecture Mrs. Stod-
dard volunteered to investigate in per-
son.
ssShe'n never tell YER hazarded one
skept2c. eyer know she's so sort O.
queer about tellin things"
"Waal, I guess" said Mrs. Stoddard
aggressively, ''thet I amt skeered at a
no, an, what's more, I don't believe
she'll be so all fred mean as to hang that
air sign out and then refuse to splain
its meanin. -
Accordingly Mrs Stoddard. hurried
down to the foot Of the hill and raped
at Matildy's door. Matildy, having
seen the conclave, knew that the mo-
ment Of explanation had come.
Her air of dignity and laconic "Morn-
in, Miss Stoddard" rather awed her in
terlocutor, but the thought Of the party
she represented moved her to a new
trial. After little pause she commenc-
ed, II thought I'd like to know, Ma
tildy, what thet air sign means?' point
ing as she spoke to the Tapping paste
board Matildy's thin lips tightened,
then unclosed abruptly. GIVE come to
the conclusion, Miss Stoddard, :" she
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07
CHAPTER ~.

Nopriest Of the Roman Catholic faith,
restrained by the VOWS Of silence which
protect the confessional, could have
more zealously guarded the secrets en-
trusted to him than did Matildy. Many
time she was perplexed by the inqui-
ries of her customers, but her native wit
and shrewdness stood her in. good stead,
while her natural sympathy and practi-
cal experience made up all Deficiencies.
An answer was always ready, though
no one but herself knew how wide from
the mark she often came or how much
more easily the question might have
been settled without her assistance. Fer
two visits to Boston, the experience and
knowledge Of life she was supposed to
have acquired and the mystery sur
rounding her temperance in the village
were the foundations Of her success.
In her sitting room hung motto out
lined and worked with care by her busy
fingers. The glazed white surface formed
a striking background to the neat black
text, irregular in form, but showing
extreme care in the precise details Of
the work. "semper Parratus
Latin, yer know she explained to her
curious visitors, "an it means, Always
here Nobody talks that language
now. Yer only see it in copy books
an in the city stores. - '.The city" was
always pronounced with a slight eleva-
ton of the head, at which Der audience
was always duly impressed.
This slight addition to her furniture
greatly increased the reputation she had
already secured for progress and the
adoption Of new ideas.
By and by her fame spread. Visitors
came from neighboring towns to see the
quaint woman whose originality piqued
their curiosity and oftilnes, half in
jest, half III earnest, would ask her
opinion in love matters Or other equally
important topics. Little by little she
bought back the land she had been forced
to dispose of, hired an INDECENT neigh
Dor to look after her farm with his own
and commenced to lay by for possible
rainy day.
In spite of her success, however, she
was not happy. She was alone i'll the
world, without kith or kin, her present
unenlightened by the domestic joys so
dear to the feminine heart, her future
uncertain. Atany moment new proph-
ct might arise and dispossess her.
Her fear was born of humility.
Scarcely household in the village but
regarded her with affection and graft
tude, scarcely family but owed her
what money. could not repay: Sickness,
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07
SUMTER, S. C, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER r 1894.

each house where it seemed possible her
former protectress might reside. This
took many days and resulted in disap-
pointment and failure. The old lady
who had unconsciously played such an
important part in Matildy Perkins life
had long since died, her house had pass
ed into the possession of distant rela-
tives, who were too absorbed in the
round of fashion to feel more than a
passing interest in the quaint story and
its quaint teller.
Then came a long season Of trial for
Matildy. Too proud to return to her
village home, she daily fought the bat
tie of homesickness amid her strange
surroundings. The old apple woman
was her only solace, and she alone was
a witness Of the gradual disappearance
of the little hoard of money, the inapti-
tude for city life, the pathetic long
ing and homesickness Matldy tried so
bravely to hide.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07
CHAp pTER IT.

But time passed, as time will. The
funeral services, in which nothing was
omitted or shortened. from the inter
minable prayer and euiogy on the de-
ceased to the melancholy "airth to
airth, were all duly rehearsed Then
c,me the final preparations, the pack
ing up, the goodbys, the tacking Of the
sign ITO Let" on the exterior Of the
small house.
The last night Daniel Macquirk saun-
tered up to the door.
"Evenin, Matildy,' he remarked.
sEvenin, Daa'el," she responded
quietly.
He removed the corncob pipe from
his stubbly lips. "Soyer really air goin,
Matildy. didn't believe it.. %
Matildy turned Oh him fercely.
'Why didn't yer believe it?'' she
asked
Daniel looked helplessly. II dunno, -
he responded lamely, "but amt it
rather sudden?"
'It don't take me all my life, Daniel,
to make up my mind to do thing, !"
Matildy sarcastically rejoined.
This was home thrust. For Is years
Daniel Macquirk had sauntered up
every evening with his corncob pipe in
his mouth and his hands in his pockets
to see Matildy. She knew and he knew
that he intended asking her to be his
wife, but the word had never been
spoken. He had needed only an encour-
aging glance, but her proud, obstinate
nature forbade this yielding. Her New
England training had taught her that
it was the woman's privilege to hold
back, and she had held back rigidly.
Now she was glad. To be Daniel Mac
quirk's wife seemed as nothing in COM
parison with the future Of which she
had been dreaming.
Daniel held her hand a moment as
they stood together on the stoop. Il
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07

"Why didn't ger belaeue tt2'' she asked.
ried her toward his waiting vehicle.
Matildy yielded to her persistent cavar
lier and seated herself on the comforta-
BILE cushions with sigh Of satisfaction.
seWhere to?'' the cabman asked, after
waiting reasonable time for directions
ST want to go to Mis- Ellis'," Matil-
dy responded
s.Come, none Of thatl'' the man
coarsely answered ''Where do you
mean?''
Matildy folded her hands primly in
her lap and began, eyer see, when left
Mis- Ellis she told me that any time I
was able to come, to come right back,
I'd be sure Of a welcome, and so I'm
goin to surprise her.
The man, too practical to be touched
by this childlike inexperience and faith,
seized her roughly by the arm, angry,
as be saw the possibility Of fare fad
ing into nothingness. ''I haven't any
time" he calculated, "to waste. Come,
get out Of here!''
So Matildy was again left standing
helpless and alone.
She walked up and down and finally
wandered into store, where she seated
herself OF one of tie vacant stools. The
crowds of busy shoppers passed her by,
the foorwalkers and clerks looked at
her curiously, but believing she was
waiting for some one did not disturb
her. The moments passed. Finally she
got up and wandered again into the
street. No one looked at her Or paid her
the slightest attention. A great feeling
Of loneliness and dread began to assail
her. She mustered up courage to ap-
proach an apple stand kept by a matron-
" woman, whose ruddy cheeks seemed
to have borrowed the roseate flush Of
her fruit sCan you tell me, % she haz-
arded tir1idly, "where Mis- Ellis lives?"
The woman, busily rubbing her ap-
pies, looked at her curiously.
"Bless my soul! 1 don't know any
Miss Ellis. guess you've made mis-
take. - Then, with the quickness of her
class, used to all the sights and scenes
of great city, she took in the situation.
you're from the country, I guess?"
Matildy nodded.
Thoughts Of her own country bred
childhood prompted her to offer Matil-
dy seat and an apple while she listen
ed to her story. When it was finished,
she saw her duty stretch plainly before
her. In her simple life she had no time
or place for moral wanderings Or split
ting of hairs. Things were either right
or wrong This woman had come to her
friendless and inexperienced. She must
do what she could to assist her.
This she found to be considerable. It
consisted in her taking her protege home,
and, after finding the addresses of all the
Ellises that the directory afforded, in her
spare moments going with MaildZ to
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07
CHAPTER III.

Afew months elapsed; then the white
house at the foot Of the hill was reopen
ed. Matildy Perkins had returned
Once more she resumed her forfeited
position, took charge of Dorcas meetings
and quilting bees and became as before
the advisor and con6dante Of young and
old. If there was an added line Of anx-
iety or despair on her countenance, no
one noticed it, so profuse had nature
been in that respect. There was stern
dignity in her bearing which prevented
the of.cions inquiries Of her neighbors
from being too closely pursued. That
she had failed was evident, but the de-
tails OF her failure, the long dreary days
among a people who seemed an alien
tribe. so different were they from the
bright remembrances Of her childhood
and her own personality. The little
stuffy room and the i'll cooked food,
which was all her meager capital could
furnish, the sense Of bewilderment
which never forsook her day or night,
the shock she had received at the news
Of the death Of her benefactress, and,
above all, the longing for her village
home, where every face was familiar
and friendly-all this was locked se-
curely in her own breast.
Little time, however, was left her for
lamenting. The realities Of existence
faced her. The little farm, which in
her fathers lifetime had furnished them
by his unceasing efforts with a scanty
sustenance, now lay barren and unpro-
ductive. The only thing she could do
was to dispose Of the land at a sacrifice,
which she did, and with the meager
sum obtained lived on hugally while
she weighed plan after plan for earning
her daily bread. To 60 about from house
to house sewing, nursing, ETC., was re-
pugnant to her. She hated to place her
self in position Of dependence to those
who were her interiors, but she must
live, and day after day she sat with hands
slightly clasped waiting for inspiration.
One morning, with smile Of salts
faction, she hung huge square Of white
pasteboard outside her front room win
dow. On it was printed in legible
characters:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07

to try 1t, an ct yer ever want my ad-
vice you can get it for 10 cents. -
Mrs Stoddard was staggered for a
moment by this harangue, but recover
ed rapidly.
"Do yer mean to say, Matildy Per-
kins, thet eff 8 neighbor came in to ask
yer for a little friendly advice thet
ye'd charge fur it?''
''Thet's jes' what mean, Miss Stod-
dard. Eff 1 ask anybody fur anything, I
expect to pay 'em fur it, an thet's what
I want done ter me. -
Mrs. Stoddard took her way back
with excited talk and gesture. "Is'pose
thet's what she learned in Bostin, % she
ended, after the dialogue had been duly
rehearsed. GIVE heerd said thet yer see
an hear strange sort O. things there, an
guess it's so ef that's sample.
''She'll wait a long time before she'll
get my money" said another.
"Mine neither, y was calculated on
all sides.
For days nothing was spoken Of over
hoe and rake aud across currant bushes
and dilapidated rails but Matildy Per-
kins' opinions. For days Matildy sat in
her scantily furnished sitting room wait
ing for possible customers who never
came, they being for the most part en-
gagged in querulous dissertations upon
her rapacity and egotism.
Suddenly one night Johnny Brown
was taken with the Group Matildy was
near at hand, the doctor far, and Matil-
dy had already brought him through
the measles and whooping cough. Mrs.
Brown hesitated but a moment. She
had been Matildy's most bitter opponent
in this new venture, but motherly love
carried the day, and Matildy was sum-
moned.
Thus the first step was taken, and the
rest was easy. Soon after Johnny's con-
valescence came preserves and picking
time, and her recipes were in constant
requisition. Then came the question Of
winter cloaks and hats. Her taste was
constantly required. She had been to
'.Bostin." That, in her neighbors' eyes,
was the open sesame to all knowledge
and all experience
Pretty soon it became evident in the
village that nothing could be done with
out the sanction Of Matildy's opinions.
Best rooms were furnished, children
doctored, Dorcas societies planned, car
ried on and entertained under her SD.
peryision. It was so much easier when
q difficulty presented itself to take the
requisite 10 cents or it's equivalent in
garden sass" to Matildy's and have
the question settled decisively than to
oscillate hour after hour on the horns
Of dilemma
Matildy bore her honors meekly. The
failure Of her life's ambition had been
great enough to lessen all subsequent
successes. She realized and appreciated
the trust that was reposed in her and
never took an undue advantage Of hel
position.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07

The drsuer g0aaed. control Of them
perhaps extraordinary enough to excuse
the forcible impression it had made.
Standing one Gay by the bars of the
ssmedder,' swinging her empty berry
pail and digging among the briers. and
stones with her bare toes, she had wit
messed a frightful runaway, horses and
driver alike frantic with fear, and the
only occupant of the carriage, an elder
ly lady, powerless but brave and self
possessed in the face Of present danger
and future disaster. With unchildlike
presence Of mind Matildy tore of her
sunbonnet and ran into the road waving
it furiously before the eyes OF the fright
ened animals. The maneuver was sue
cessful The horses reared, pranced, then
suddenly became quiet in tremor Of
ungovernable rage before the weird lit
tie figure. Seizing his opportunity, the
driver gained control Of them with no
greater damage than a bad fright The
occupant Of the carriage, wealthy
woman, visiting amid the fashionable
element of neiehboring summer re-
sort, from which she had been drawn
by fit Of exploring curiosity, on her
return to her city home took Matildy
with her to ease her mind Of its unac-
customed burden of curiosity by show
ing the country bred child the wonders
and fascinations Of luxurious existence.
For weeks Matildy dwelt IN dreamland,
her open eyes and ears drinking in the
mysteries Of this new life and receiving
impressions which were destined to
tinge her whole career. Then came the
awakening. Her hostess, believing her
debt discharged, sent her home laden
with gifts and seductive promises,
which proved chimerical her identity
being forgotten in a month.
Soon her life assumed a new aspect,
and dreams were forced to make way
for the realities Of existence. Her moth
er's death and the subsequent burdens
which fell ON her shoulders took from
her the gayety and life of youth, and
in few years she was prematurely
old woman, known and respected only
for her common sense, industry and
thrift, but restless and dissatisfied, ever
cherishing the secret hope Of return
some day to that paradise around which
her youthful dreams centered
Now that her desire was so near graft
ication she grudged every moment that
passed. The fact that she had waited
years only made the moments pass more
slowly. As she ddgeted about the front
room eying the red and yellow pattern
of the gaudy carpet and the gaunt in
mate Of the coffin the joy that she felt
at her hard won freedom was tempered
by the necessary delay she must expert
ence before avaiGng herself Of its priv
ileges.
Her reverie was broken into by Off
cious offers of assistance, and soon she
was deep in the mysteries Of planning
and contriving how to seat her expect
ed guests, how to make useful the black
bombazine, which Mrs. Stoddard, who
loaned it, remarked ''jest wanted hitch
in the back to make it fit, /" and other
necessary details.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07

hope you'll never regret IL, Matl1dy,
he said as the roughened palms parted.
For the first time faint doubt assail-
ed her and faint premonition Of COM
ing homesickness, but only for mo-
ment. stI'm sure T shan't, Daniel, " she
answered, softened by the coming sep
aration.
ssEf yer should ever want any help,
Matildy''-he began.
ct never shall, Daniel, she inter
rupted quickly. ''Hev I ever?" and Vi
sions Of her unhelped childhood, youth
and womanhood again hardened her
voice.
The next day the little white house at
the foot of the hill was closed.
A scanty store of money, the name Of
the woman who was the innocent cause
of her exodus-this was the capital with
which she had determined to make a
new start in life, never doubling that
her future experience would be repeti-
tion of the past. Her ignorance made
her sanguine. The expressions of life
long obligation and epithets Of affection
still fingered in her ears, as when, an
excited, happy child, she had left the
luxurious home where she had been for
weeks the source Of secret amusement
and half concealed boredom.
When Matildy landed in Boston, she
experienced that peculiar feeling Of help
lessness and bewilderment which over
powers the country bred in the presence
of the hustle and noise Of great city:
She stood looking helplessly about,
alarmed for her safety in the midst OF
the incoming and outgoing trains, the
hurrying crowds, the inharmonious MUIR
muir of the neighboring streets. A long
time she waited; then as the momentary
paralysis of thought and action passed
she followed the throng Of new arrivals
into the street. Here new terror as
sailed her. A mob Of haranguing driv-
ers yelling, ''Cab, cab, cab!' surround
ed her. One more enterprising than the
rest seized her large carpet bag and hur-
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-11-07

Mdtildys thin Ups t1ghtcned.
said, ''thet eff my opinions is with askin
for they're wuth a-payin for. Ten cents
won't break no bones, an you know as
well as I know thet for years eff any
body's got inter any muss or mess
they've jes put on his'n or her hat or
bonnet an run right over to me. an I've
done by 'em to the best Of my ability.
Now times is changed I've got to get
my bread an butter, an I guess thet's as
good ways any. LeastWise I'm goin
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-06-29
RIOOMlNG VALLEY.

June 22d, 1894.
At the school election held on Tuesday
Andrew Madison was reelected treasurer
and w. T. Pratt chairman Of the school
board. Everyone seemed satisfied with
the management OF tie six schools that
are running. The prevailing sentiment
seemed to be against building school
houses.
Crops need rain badly and unless flax
that is not up gets shower soon It Will
be total failure.
John Hardy, who has the reputation
OF being the crack gardener OF the town
ship reports his garden behind last year
and some vegetables total failure.
The large bridge over the Sioux has
been cut down and completed. This
Will be great accommodation to most
every farmer in the township.
Road work is in full blast. Blooming
Valley is firm exponent OF good roads.
For farm loans call at Farmers Bank
and rot rates. and plan
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-06-29
SUM NIT.
Sigual, June -, 1894.

Sigual, June y, 1884.
Claude Bradford has quit work in the
drug store and Mr.. Hawes is running 1t
alone now.
There was school election last Tues
day, fact tina. few seemed aware OF at
the time. But little interest was mani
tested. Henry Staar was elected chair
man Of the board for the ensuing term.
Two young men from Aberdeen who
had been attending the encampment at
Big Stone lake passed through here
Monday on their way home. They were
riding their bicycles and covered the
forty miles between Ortonville and
Summit in less than five hours.
Peter just and mother OF Brookings
county have been visiting Mrs. Jennie
Chilson and n w. Nelson and family.
Andrew Rice and family also from
Brookings, have been visiting Toilet
Steen and at Mr.. Nelson's. They re-
port crops in a much worse condition
down that way than they are up here.
NJ. J. Given got up yesterday morning
to find forty head of horses on his wheat
field. They belonged to the horse trader
who has been camped north OF town for
several weeks. To say Given was hot
expresses it mildly.
When we read of creameres that are
paying their farmer patrons several hun
dred dollars in hard cash each month
we wonder If farmers in this vicinity
would not find it easier to get along If
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-06-29
MIG STONE CITY.
June %, 1894

The stone foundation was LAID last
week for the new blacksmith shop on
nain street, and the building will be
completed BY the first OF the month.
Mr. ]. C. Larson, late Of Appleton will
occupy it and will put in all the neces
ssry machinery and tools TO do all kinds
st plow work in first-class manner.
The building is 28x4O feet in size.
Chas Be,chsris putting up barn Ask
80 feet on the fam adjoining the city.
Vim. Mallet has removed from the
Eldrdge house to the Western Wave
building on Cornell avenue.
There will be Lutheran service at the
n E. church next Sunday at 3p. m.
A new front has been placed on the
Betcher warehouse. and full line OF
wagon and blacksmith stock has been
placed Ia the Murphy building.
Miss Hettie Holpkemeier and Mr.
Fred Edelman, both former residents ol
Big Stone. were married about two
weeks ago and are settled down in West
Superior.
Mr.. George Fahmer, son OF Henry
Fahmer, died of consumption on Sun
day the gath inst. The young man was
s3 years Of age Or the 9th Of this month
The funeral service took place at the
Evangelical church last Monday after
noon and was largely attended by friends
OF the family.
The Lutheran mission festival occurred
last Sunday at the Lutheran church on
the Yellowbanks.
County Register Of Deeds Alfred Nor
tell has just finished building cottage
on Enderly.
F.. W. Thorndike is finishing mp his
house in fine shape.
Miss Bess Rue has sold her bicycle to
Casper FURY.
The childrens exercises at the NJ. E
church last Sunday was one Of the very
enjoyable church services of the year
and large congregation WAS in atten-
dance. Over $40 was raised for the
benevOlences.
Mr.. Wilcox has the brick yard force al
work, and expects to turn out kiln o
first class brick in a few days.
Lidgerwood Broaaax: Arthur Movlus
and Misses Lily. Flossie and Bertha
VanHorn, who have been attending the
Fargo schools, are home to spend the
summer vacation with their parents.
Mrs. Jas. Gold accompanied her
mother and sister to Waubay We6nesda,
and is enjoying few days visit there.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-06-29

AL. Abbott has gone to Madison, $.
D., tor couple of weeks.
J.W. Stymiest and H. II. Green go
to Wilmot tomorrow on business.
Burglars entered the residences OF
Messrs. Beardsley and Schart IN Grant
Center last week where they got two
razors, small amount Of money and a
revolver. John Rodgers barn was also
entered and set of harness stolen.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-06-29
TWIN BROOKS.

June q, 1894.
At the school election last Monday
Joseph Rickel was elected treasurer.
Peter Kerch moved his shop across the
street to-day and IS building an addition
to the same.
Chris Schlag contemplates an addition
to his shop soon.
Raymond & Stymiest have SO much to
do they have hired G. Buchele to help
them out.
Twin Brooks now supports barber
shop.
Some OF the Valley people will COM
mence taking milk to the Twin Brooks
cheese factory next week.
Harry Hocum called in town today on
his way west. He was not very jubilant
over crop prospects throughout the state.