New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-07
A PORRINGER.
ues HOLLAND GIVES 1T AWAY AT LAST.

Our Gordon setter had been barking like all
nossessed' for several minutes. lie frequently
barks but never In that manner unless something
unusual is going on. I was lying down III ''e
hack chamber; having been wedding the beet oed
for n hour under hot sun. felt Just1eo ID Try
ing TO rest.
Presently heard Gertruoes 'oice hum ~
region below stairs.
"I wish you'd go to the door," she called MY
hands are In the Dutch cheese. 1t must be tele-
gram for II isn't time for callers
rose and hurried on a wrapper. The noise
continued The latch ratified, the dog parked
Something must be done How could IT be a teie-
gram when there no one in the world hKeiy
20 send us a message?
NV sinners Tapped at the heel so that nearly
fell downstairs TO the front door. which opened
only a small space. having suddenly rememoereu
agents.
caught a glimpse. behind the sidelight curtain.
Of a floating black veil.
Then lifted the latch. There was Mrs. Hoi-
land. In a black gown. black cotton gloves very
long In the fingers. veil. with a parasol and
fan This was the outfit which she USED when
making a set call In the character OF the widow OF
the late Mr. Robert Holland.
Rab was standing beside her barking In
steady. businesske way. He desisted when ap-
peared.
Mrs Holland turned to him and said. with effu-
sion:
Good doggie. He didn't seem TO know me in
my veil"
She drew the article in question about her
shoulders with air of pride and satisfaction
as who should say
Not every one be a widow OF Mr. Holland
Then she looked at me- tossed her head and
gave little laugh.
"rd bout made up my mind you want 10
home " she said but II you was, was bound TO
raise somebody"
As Mrs Holland had always hitherto come TO
the side door this sudden appearance at the front
confused me somewhat l decided, however. that
the veil and the gloves and the fan had In her
estimation required an entrance at the front OF
the house.
II come bout the porringer," she now said.
7 stenped back I knew she would come in.
was not very hospitable. but stepped back ana
she walked into the hall. didn't know what she
meant by the "porringer"; but Gertrude often had
dealings with Mrs. Holland OF which was igno-
rant She kept Mrs Hollands accounts for In
stance; frequently advised that lady as to the
best course to pursue to prevent the Town-a
capital r please-from getting her things. One
~ the ruling objects in Mrs Hollands life: one OF
the principal purposes for which she lived. was to
see that the Town did not get three silver spoons
one feather bed, a cane-seated rocker and
PEWTER porringer.
Judging from all had learned, the Town but
existed that 1t might gain possession OF these
articles and Mrs Holland existed that she might
defend them.
Mr. Holland before his decease, had been un-
able 10 support himself and wife, and he had ap-
piled to the Town for help. AS Mr.. Holland
owned a bit of house and bit OF land on the
Farnham road he had been required to give up
this property and the authorities agreed to sup
port the two In their own home as long as they
lived Since then Mrs. Holland had been alerty
on the defensive lest the Town. in the form OF a
burglar perha d. should break and enter and take
the spoons the bed the chair and the porringer
II was In vain that she was assured that the
Town had interest In these articles. She knew
better: and she frequently went about armed with
the document wherein the agreement had been
made.
"Ill test show UNI this" she would exclam
shaking the paper In the air. III they try to do
nothn'."
As years went by and the Town made no felo
NOUS attempt Mrs. Hollands vigilance relaxed
not at all.
Gertrude Is very kind hearted. Everybody finds
out this weakness Of my friend sooner later
made Gertrude keep her money for her. and this
made II necessary for Mrs. Holland TO come over
and count the sum quite frequently. At one time
there was $1l 49, All information that she pos
sessed this sum must be kept carefully from the
Town. Gertrude and sworn not to give in
formation to the Selectmen: were almost under
oath not to speak OF 1t to each other; and II We
did mention II, II was In a whisper with closed
DOORS
"'Tain't none OF their business" che said, In a
ouavering half-voice. on d'know what would
happen II II should git out that had goin' on
twelve dollars"
Nobody would care" said I. reckleesly
Mrs Holland looked at me In frightened way
She held up her hand
"shr' she said. don't you know t walls have
got ears?'
Gertrude wrote letters for her II my friend
wished particularly TO do a certain thing a
tain time then Nancy almost to appear
with an air OF great mystery and twocent post
are stamp wrapped up In the corner Of her hand
kerchief. She asked for Gertrude. and the two
were shut up together composing epistle to
eome relative TO whom. at that writing, was given
the feather bed. But at the next writing the bed
would be taken away, fsuratively and bestowed
on some one else. have caught glimpses Of Mrs
Holland sitting close 10 my friend. who had tablet
and paper on her knee and who was really com
posing the epstle. and telling her companion
what che thought she would write.
can see now the solemn. tremulous Importance
Of that wrnkled old face. with Its mild, pale eyes
and sunken mouth. as Its owner sat there watch
ing Gertrude's pen as 1t travelled over the paper
Then would pity the poor old thing. But the
next moment told myself that needed pity
90 little. Her life filled with interest She
trav IN
few washngs: she was always successful In pre-
vending the Town from getting her things; and
she had continual pleasure in giving different
ticles away. To be sure. she recalled these arti-
Giles frequently. and changed them around. but
what Of that1 And she had Gertrude for ac-