The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-07-11

old coat
1T is Il pity more roses do not
bloom in unexpected places, dear. y
Bessie stood at the window and
watched her mother until she disap'
peared down the road There We're
tears in her eyes; two large drops fell
upon the back of the cat, which sat
upon the window ledge.
Pussy rubbed her soft sides against
her mistress and purred sympathet-
ically.
."Tabby, what do you think it
means?" asked Bessie, sitting down
and huggiug her pet tightly in her
arms. :.
Poor little old Puss, you'd tell
me il you could, wouldn't you? You
don't want mamma sad any more
than do"
Puss purred softly.
Isn't it funny, Tabby, how mann
ma goes away every Friday after
noon, with that basket full OF good
things to eat, things you and | sell
dom get, Tabby, because mamma
says She can't afford to give US
goodies. But how can she afford to
take jelly and fruit and everything
to that poor family? Can you tell,
Puss? She dresses up, too, as if she
were going to church, and always
seems 50 excited. No matter how
many people come to see her that
day about orders, and no matter how
much work she has on hand. she
leaves everything and goes"
Just then knock came at the
door.
Before Bessie could open it a
woman entered. A small plaid shawl
was thrown over her head and she
carried cracked teacup.
"How dye do, Bessie" she said.
II seen your ina goin' down the
street, an bein' ez you wus alone
thought I'd run over n spell; an !
did want some sugar, ef you could
lend me d little: / thought as how
your ma might lave gfanoelated in
the house after all her fine cockin'
Ny sister wuz took wuss las night;
can't seem to settle any food, an |
| Thought I'd beat her up custard.
Howfs your ina these days; mopin
sz us'al?
e. The unexpected visitor babbled on,
arranging herself comfortably before
the fire.
Pretty lonesome fer you an your
| ma liviti' hers all alone" she con-
tinued. ''You don't seem to hev
much company. Your 1tio never
goes out 'cept Fridays, does she?
Bessie wanted to say that her
mother did not find congepial society
in the neighborlloel. She wondered
how this wou1atl knew about herself
and her ma" She never came to
the house, and Bessie knew. she was
a person of whom her mother dis,
approved.
'lIow long has your pa been dead,
child" was the next blunt ques-
tlon.
Tears sprang to the girls eyes.
20, Miss Cover, papa has been
dead long. long while, ever since
vas little child, but don't ask me
about papa 1T makes me feel so bad,
she cried.
'Why?" questioned Miss Gower-
"Why" repeated Bessie, Why
docs it make any one feel badly to
think Of ones dead father?'
"Most gene-'lly because they re-
collect how good he wuz." was the
ambiguous reply. ''An' you surely
don't remember nothin' about your
pa?'
No" sighed Bessie; mot much,
but I've always wished that L did
remember.
Il suppose your ma talks good
deal to you about him?'
The questions were becoming in
tolerab!e.
No, she doesn't. 1t makes her
unhappy to talk about him. used
to ask her questions and questions,
Just like you are asking me, Miss
Cover. / never knew before why it
made her feel bad to be asked ques-
tions; now I know" said Bessie.
H um," muttered the spinster,
the consonant held q long while be-
hind her thin lips.
Bessie thought it would sound
almost like pussy's purr only it was
disagreeable--a purr with a claw
in it,
"Thcse poor folks must be in awful
straits to take your ma out SIGH a
day ez this"
And you must have wanted sugar
very much, Miss Cover, to have come
out in such weather." yentured
Bessie; land I am sorry we cannot
oblige you about fine sugar. We use
the light brown; if that will do
you're welcome to it,"
You hain't alters lived in Thorn.
aston, hev you?" asked Miss Cover,
when Bessie went into the pantry to
/! fill the cup.
No answer.
Seems ez though I'd heerd thet
YOU used to live in Bangor. What
ever made your ma leave lovely
city like that to come to this little
town."
For some unknown reason Tabby
elevated her yellow back and gave a
vicious little spit.
II told you the last time you were
! here that was born in Bangor. l
guess that is how you heard it, Miss
f! Cover, and how mamma moved here
because she could not live in our old
home, where she and papa had been
so Happy, without him, and how she
thought she could live cheaper in q
small place and maybe get more
work. Mamma said when you