New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-30

PLANTATION. even took two potatoes from
basket and called one q washing ana one .
pound Of BUTTER and proceeded IN the most
lucid manner. AS went on my words seemed
so extremely clear that was sure had made
Nancy see what meant.
When had finished she hurriedly pulled OUT
her handkerchief and passed 1t over her face.
Il don't care nothin' bout p'taters," she said,
Il amt talkin' bout p'taters. What mean 10
this: A washin' is wuth pound OF butter"
went back into the bedroom. I asked Ger.
trude II she would 60 and give that woman any
thing she pleased--all we hal a the world. II
by that means Mrs. Holland uld be induced
to drop the subject that seemed to be occupying
her mind.
NO" said my friend, calmly, II have placed
the affair in your hands. Do with the matter
as you think best I've long noticed that you
have thought that you could make things clear
to Mrs. Holland. You have your opportunity
now Improve 1t. All have to say Is that
you know where our stock Of butter IL kept
As we have nothing else that Mrs Holland de-
sires why, give her what you please
But she only wants a pound" said feebIy.
At this Gertrude began to laugh In the most
heartless way.
I left the little bedroom and returned to the
kitchen. There sat our guest by the table on
which lay the innocent tubers with which !
had been giving object lesson.
The woman looked up at me with an az
grieved expression
II amt said nothin' bout p'taters," she re-
marked In an unsteady voice. II amt out OF
UNI. Mr. Guild give me a peck Yesterday ~
I don't eat many ptaters. anyway. l used ter
like UNI first rate with meat victuals; Out I've
kinder got off the notion Of UNI some way"
She rose as she spoke. She glanced at the bed
room door as II expecting Gertrude
"In get your butter for you" SAID. Ana
then asked desperately. How much do you
want"'
felt that was actually getting excited !
had rushes OF belief that could make Nancy
understand. These momentary seasons were foi-
lowed by despairing conviction that couio
never succeed In such an attempt.
Mrs. Hollands vapid. worn face was now
wrinked with an ingratating smile.
1--WE ben fhinkin 8 I've ben settin' here"
she began that it's jest as plain 8 1t can Do
that a washin Is with pound OF butter; but IL
you folks don't want TO spare It Ill go down 70
Mr. Whites n II en- git II there. But they
never work theirn over enough. any way. But
don't want TO be unaccomydat:n'. I'm goin' to
have a mess OF shell beans for dinner They're
on bIr now. N beans takes butter"
hand and grasped the dingy tin pail Mrs. Hol-
land had brought. went into the back room
and took from the icechest two pound Jumps
and deposited trem In the pail. which carried
back TO It's owner.
"I'm ever so much obleeged" she said. her
hand shaking p,teously as she extended 1t for
the pail "N' guess you'll see when you come
to think 1t over that washin' g wuth pound
Of
Never mindw interrupted
WALL" she said. "all right. then"
She walked out into the yard. felt that
could not endure the frantic sense Of helpless
ness that came 70 me. What II this experience
should be repeated? FASTENED after Nancy. !
overlook her at the great gate. / caught hold OF
the flying end OF her shawl.
Mrs Holland" I said. after this I want you
to understand that we're going to pay cash for
our ashing cash every time and don't care
what you charge. It's going to be cash"
She blinked at me with her watery eyes. one
evidently thought extremely little OF my mental
powers; but she could not have had % low eo
estimate Of them as cherished myself.
wall. WALL" she responded. her head shaking
more than ever II d. knows there's anything to
be mad about II you begrutch me this little
dab OF butter
Il don't begrudge you anything" I broke IN.
II only wish you to know It's to be cash busi-
after this"
didn't wait to hear any reply. hurried out
into the lane that led up into the rocky pasture
wanted to be alone. did not feel like seeing
Gertrude. In spite Of all my efforts to the con-
trary. I going over In my mHd different
ways In which might have explained the SUBJ
ject. l was aware that t was very little mat.
ter indeed. but just now I was sure was going
10 be haunted by 1t. And why isn't 1t just as bad
to be haunted by pound OF butter and wash.
Ing as BY anything elsa?
MARIA LOUISE POOL