The morning times., 1895-07-29
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The Romance Of
aSpinning Wheel

The kerosene lamp in Miss Hetty Bon
nets little sitting room was turned up TO
its fullest extent and in the center of the
floor, kneeling before a black, tin trunk
was Miss Hetty herself, while by her
side, regarding the operation of packing
with the familiarity of old and privileged
friendship, sat an immense yellow cat.
There was an air of cheerfulness about
the apartment not wholly due to the pres
enceofits hright-eyed owner, whosequaintly
braided hair, ard old-fashioned, fiowered
merino gown Were suggestive OF rosemary
and lavender, but also to the wide -mouthed
fire place, with its polished brass and irons
and to the tall clock in the corner, whose
smiling face had placidly looked down upon
the same green and red carpet for the last
twenty years.
II declared" exclaimed Miss Hetty, lay
ing ia the trunk, with tender care, her very
best dress of purple delaine, 1T does seem
like dream, Tom, the idea of me ever
gettin to see New York. And after wantin
to go all my life, TO think of this chance
comm so unexpected. Amt | glad I'd
saved up that $5ol My! There'Il be lots
ofthlngs TO tell you when git back"
She arose as she spoke, her face aglow
with pleasurable excitement, and taking
down from closet large piece of gray
calico, threw it lightly over d cherry wood
spinning wheel that stood near the hearth
and whose fluffy BAH of wax had baen the
one pla ything held sacred from Toms
kittcnhood.
Il mustn't forget" murmured she, "to
cover up granGmother's old wheel; 1T would
catch a sight of dust while I'm gone"
Just at this moment a vibrant knock on
the front door caused Miss Bonnet to start,
but holding the Kerosene lamp in her hand
and closely shadowed by the cat sne pro-
ceeded to admit a bustling, red-visaged
woman, whose whole appearance was in
striking contrast 20 Miss Hetty's spickaDd-
spanness.
We'll Hctty, how near ready be you?"
inquired the visitor, seating herself, with
scant ceremony, upon the closed lid of the
tin trunk and looking about her with vulgar
curiosity.
Got your grandmuther's old wheel COW
cred up, hain't you? My lands. l never
could see why you keep that humly old rub
bidge in your settin room. II twas a
pictur now, or a bit of statooary there'd
be some sense, but
She paused fora moment to eye Tom, who
with hunChed-up back, walked off in dis
dain. He had a very poor opinion OF Mrs.
wilkins anyway.
well" continued that lady, not waiting
for a reply, Il jes run over to tell you that
I'm all packed and Jerushy she's all packed
and I'm guin' home quicker'n forked light
MIN to put in fathers starChed shirts and
then well be all ready to start for New
York tomorrow mornin'. You'll be waitin'
for US when we come round for you LII the
wagon, Hetty?'
''Uh, yr~, Mary Jane" answered Miss Bon
net Il haven't got one thing left to tend
n In A 4
Merrt's; she's a goin' to take care OF him
for me-
IF you'd husband aud half a dozen
young 'uns to leok after" sniffed the
visitor, you wouldn't make so much OF
that yaller cat; amt got no time to fool
with pets"
Likes not" murmured Miss Hetty
meekly. The Lord don't send all Of us
the same mercieS, Mary Jane, aud nl1bbe
He don't mind my wastin' a little time
on Tom. L aiu't got no other company
Il suppose you amt heard the news about
Sarah PearSalrs little Toy bein' so sick?'
inquired Mrs. wilkins, pausing, with
her hand on the door.
The little one, with the brown eyes
and long, yaler curls, that's called sammy"
asked Mrs. Bonnet anxiously. why, what
ails the little feller?"
The doctor says he's got to have an
operation performed on his thigh bone
explained the visitor, "OF else he can
live. But, land % Canaan, HIS mother 5
that shiftleSs she amt got no money TO
send him 10 the hospital in New York. let
alone so with him aud DR.. Gregory says
he'll have to go, for it can't he done here. -
She amt got no money to send him2''
echoed Miss Hetty. Pore little Sammy
Pore little chap!'
Yes, it's too had, amt it?'' asserted
Mrs. wilkins, car elessly. Well, good
night Hetty, and mind you're ready"
Good night" responded Miss Hetty and
closed the door
Alone IN the little sitting room she sat
down before the open fire and with
earnest eyes sazed iuto the heart of the
glowing Goals.
Pore little sammy" she repeated softly,
to herself. Pore little feller."
BY and by she got up and went quickly
over TO an old horsehair sofa, and kneeHng
Dear Lord whispered she, Jest MA Ike
me do it; il amt much after all you've
done for me. Jest take any idee OF goin'
out of my head" "
When she arose to her feet there was a
light in her gray eyes that was as if the
glory of the shekinah rested upon her.
Ten minutes later a little figure
wrapped in a gray shawl, knocked timidIy
tl SdIdu L eilESdll Kitchen uOOT-
why, Hetty Bonnet, is that you?" eX-
claimed Sammy'S mother. Come right
in"
mo, I can't tonight niurmured the
visitor, Its late, but 1 jest run over to
give you a little money SOS you can go
long with Sammy to New York, and take
him real comfortable" "
Mrs. Pearsall glanced down at the roll of
bills which had been laboriously gathered "a
at n nd ia6 fpr fhn
treat in Miss Hetty's life, and gasped, Ion
no."
Now, dear heart" protested Miss Bon
net, seeing the mothers tears begin to
fall, don't you feel no ways bad about it.
don't need it bit, and 1 amt denyin'
nlyselfanythin' worth speaking of"
And before Mrs. Pearsall could utter her
thanks the little figure in its gray shawl had
disappeared into the darkness, leaving the
dawn ofl great joy in an aching heart.
But the next morning when the. wagon
containing MIR ana MIS-. Wilkins and their
daughter, Jerusha, stopped in front of the
little white cottage it's owner was bru shing n
few dried leaves off her front piazza
MY lands, Hester Bonnet, amt you
ready?' screamed Jerusha.
Il amt goin ~ said the little woman,
smiling and nodding her head. ''I-kind
o-feIt as I might grow homesick' then
bluShiDg at an evasion which might be a lie -
Il hadn't oughter to say that, Mary Jane,
but it want best for ME to GO"
Miss Hetty and Tom made a great many
trips up and down the old-fashioned wind
ing staircase that led to her bedroom on
the afternoon of that day. She unpacked
every article from the little tin trunk and
replaced them in her bureau drawer, among
bags of sweet-scented lavender
She had just completed the undoing OF
her labor of the day previous, when a