The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-05-15
AN ACT OF CHARITY.


Mrs. Tom Walton was in a very COM
Portable frame of mind and body
Tom" had come home for luncheon,
and had amiably started off with their
guest, Grace Maynard, for the public
reception at the white house. Grace
was to go by the afternoon train, and
this was her last chance to see the
First Lady of the Land" as the news
papers call our democratic queen Tom
would be coming home for dinner alone
after seeing Grace off and there would
be chance again for their dear cozy
evenings together. 1t was selfish, she
knew; but she was glad that they were
not to have any more visitors. Nobody
would be coming to Washington, now
that the season was SO nearly over, and
she could have Tom all to herself. She
looked lazily out of the window and
saw her husband and Grace boarding a
car at the corner
There is scarcely anything more en-
tertaining TO student of democratic
government than an afternoon recep-
ton at the white house Mr.. Walton
and his charge had stood long and per
severingly lin line" first out in the
street, then gradually pushed along
within the grounds, till at last they
found themselves standing in solemn
file, Grace in 'front.' at the very thresh-
old of the blue room. Just ahead were
two tiny but bold figures-a small.
dark-eyed Jewess and her smaller
brother-"Miss Zimmerman and Mr..
Zimmerman" they gave their names to
the inquiring usher; Miss Cinnamon
and Mr.. Cinnamon" he shouted. in
stentorIan tones, as they passed along
the magic circle within which stood the
receiving party.
Back of these was a curious looking
old woman with huge green veil tied
over her head and ears and a tiny. faded
old black shawl gathered around her
shoulders
Wall, now, it's good for sore eyes to
see ye, she said, as she shook hands
hngeringly with one of the cabinet la
dies BE We Mrs. Cleveland? Wall,
now. L can't see eZ We look much like
yourpIcture that I've got at home. That
looks just like my Cynthy did before
she died" Her tones were croaking
but there was an upward curve of hap
py pride in the wrinkles about the kind
ly old eyes.
Move on, therei" came the rough
voice of the policeman. And Grace and
Mr.. Walton found themselves taking
the woman's place; and then. all in a
breath, they were out in the great room
beyond. amusing themselves by listen
ing to the broken English of a proup of
Coreans who stood in one corner, CAV
In native costume, with their odd caps
on their heads
-Four O'Clock already" said Mr. Wal
ton, looking at his watch I'VE shall
have to hurry, if you want to see the
conservatory
Just as Mr.. Walton was putting Grace
on her train, Mrs. Walton drawled :,
lazy Gomez to the maid who brought
her the afternoon post. There were.
two letters. One, fat one, from a
young cousin of Mr.. Walton's, she
opened first:
my DEAR HErrY: gather from Toms
letters that you two are still incoming
along in your nuptial bliss. not settled
down enough to enjoy visitors. So I'm not
coming to see you. But you can't guess
where L have beeni
1T seems a year or two, but it's really
only north, I've spent with a dear funny
old aunt of Toms and mine. / thought |
knew what 1t would be like to live that
way. but Gooseberryville exceeded my most
fantastic visions.
Aunt Martha lives in a little old Mace
not picturesque enough to be called a cot
tage, and not sizable enough to he a house
l just pumped my brain to remember all
the news for years back of anybody con-
nected with our enormous family She
would roll piecrust while 1 washed tea
cups; or. to be less poetic, but more fire.
quently true. she filed the oil lamps while
secured the eriddlepans-or polished up
the gilt frame of Mr.. Cleveland's picture in
the parlor.
Poor old souli heard that the villa gers
about there call her 'Ruts' / found that
she had had for breakfast ever since she
was left alone, which is several months ago.
griddlecakes and molasses: for dinner
bread without butter and half pie: and
for supper. the rest of the pie and bread
and cheese, with cup of tea. She said IL
was cheaper and easier; she never had been
much of hand at accounts: and in that
way she couli tell just how much she
spent, and keep within her income
While l. was there. of course 1 paid
board, and L instituted a change as she
called it At first she wouldn't eat but one
or two different things at one meal: but ]
soon coaxed her into looking up all her
famous old recipes, and L left her a new
creature She got so much fatter ana
brighter that you would hardly have known
her.
There's no use of sending her money
for she went like It, But il you and Tom
could send her new shawl and a new dark
green veil-she never goes out without these
two things, part of her 'rut'-why she
would put in a better appearance. the dear
old soul,
THE visit has really done me good, too.
1 was getting into a rut myself il not
quite as narrow one Aunt Martha's
Most affectionately. your cousin.
FLORENCE"