The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-06-25

uUu Opcncu ana very little OLD wD-
man, silver haired and shrievled like II
mummy, came in, and walking across
tho floor seated herself in Mrs. Dab
ney'J very corner an oil woman
dressed in a snuif-colored gown which
Mr.. Dabncy hal always worn, and
wearing snulf-silk cap, while bag
depended from her arm.
ITS cold, ladies, she said, look
ing around with n dcprccinting air,
cold for the season of the yCur and
they don't keep fires at Tewkstown.
Mother said Mary, recovering
herself with hystcrical gasp OF relief,
cit isn't old Mrs. Dabuey's ghost at
ALL It's old Miss Abby, come back
from the Tewkstown Poorhouse."
"You don't mean began the I III
widow.
"That Mrs. Daniel Dlbney aud Mrs
Evcrard Emerson let their old aunt
go to the pOorhouse?' said Mary Mil
Ter. eyes, it is quite true Mrs.
Daniel leads society in San Francisco.
| am told, and Mrs. Elbcrson is Il
grand lady in Bridgeport, with re-
cept;on day and servants in livery.
What could they DO with half crazy
old aunt, who takes snuff and talks
uncertain grammer? Poor Mrs. Abby.
She has wandered back TO her old
home. She was eighty last birthday.
and things are ull misty aud vague to
her. "
''Dut what shall we dog said Mrs.
Miller in accents of perplexity. a
crazy woman here! 1t doesn't seem
just right, Molly, does it,"
on take her back after she has
rested II little and had II cup Of tea, 80
said Mary, cheerily
But perhaps she won't 60"
ooh, yes, sho will !" slid Mary.
"Poor Miss Abbyl She is rs gentle
rs child.
Her words proved to be correct.
Miss Abby Dabney suffered herself to
he led unromonstratingly back to
Tewkstown PoorhoLsc, where the
matron read her u shrill-voicod lee
turc, and declared she should not be
allowed another grain of snuff if she
couldn't behave better.
Old Miss Abby smiled doprecat-
ingly.
They are peculiar people here, 5"
she said. 81 think, my denr"-to
Mary MiIlcr-''they forget sometimes
| an a lady. But it takes all sorts,
don't you see, to make world"
The next night, however, just Us
Mary aud her mother were sitting
down to tea, Miss Abby once more APP
penred, in the midst of gentle shower
of rain
81 hope L don't inconvenience any
body, " she said, meekly. ''But that
woman at Tewkstown has cut off my
allowance OF snuff; and, after all,
there's no place like home"
And once more Mary Miller pa
tiently walked bnck with the poor old
crono to the poorhouse.
The matron was iDruriato this time.
cit amt human natur' 10 stand
this! she declared. cpl put her in
the iug!"
"1ho--iu3?" repeated Mary, in sur
prise.
"Its room down cellar where we
shut UP the Troublesome cases, a." said
the matron. 81 can't stand this run
ming away business, anl L won't!"
The ''iuS," perhaps, proved cfiicl.
cious, for Old Miss Abby Dlbney did
not appear ugain for II week
At the expiration Of that period,
however, she WALKED noiscle5-ly in
just at dusk, and seated herself like
silent shadow in the chimney cor
ner.
ut is so good to be at home again, -
said she, rubbing hrr wrinkled hands.
81 somehow seem to get lost of late.
EInathan is gone, and Betsy is gone,
and I'm left hero all Glone. Ye., n
cup OF tea, plensc-sugar and no milk.
They never remember how | like my
tea at Tewkstown. This IS good And
butter Oh my bread, too We don't
get butter ut Tewkstown.
Mary burst into tears
Mother" said She, "Misg Abby
shn!l not 90 back to IcwkstOwn She
shall stay hcrcl Mother, how should
] feel if you we're wauderiny, friend.
less ana alone, through the world?"
But, my dear
"5bo shall sleep in her own old
room, ont OF the biJcheuw persisted
Mary She'll be no more care than
IL canary bird. Oh, mother, do con
sent Sine will think thuu that she is
still in her own home. Oh, IL YOU
tusw now dreary 1T is at thnt Tcwks.
town Poorhousc, with tine grass MI
Jrtmpol out, and piles OF clam shells
/ lying around the door, and not $50
much as duuicIion or daisy to be
seen ="
And Mrs Miller yielded to Mary's
/ fearful solicitations.
"Do as you please, my child, said
She.
The Towkstowu authorities wore but
too glad to bo ril of tho poor old i'm.
cuhu+, and Miss Abby DlDuey settled
/ down into her old home. us content
eddy and unqucstioniusiyasif She had
never left it, She nte and drank but
/ little; she tplkc1 still less, onl seemed
| torcz Mrs Miller anil Nary us
3uc-ts, who hal come tD visit the old
farm
"rhc Widow Miller and her dnrtcr
must be rich folky, To- uu lartlko ia
support old Miss Abby, ucrrcd ON,
neighbour
"5ha was well enough provided for
1t tha poorhousc.' another