The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-01-03
MISS DILL's DELEGATE.
BY j. l.. HARBOUR

of her ounces one November morning
when some one raped at her kitchen
door. When she opened her door she
saw Mrs. Beacon Draper standing On
the little back porch.
"'Scuse me for coming round to the
back door, Mirandy,'' said Mrs. Draper,
as she stepped into the spotlessly clean
and sweetly fragrant little kitchen,
"I could tell from the looks of the front
of the house that you was in the back,
and l thought I'd save you the trouble
of running to let me in at the front door.
Myl how sweet and spicy it smells in
here"
"I've been splicing some sweet apples,
and now I'm doing up the last o. my
ounces" replied Miss Miranda. "Tm
real partial to ounce preserve, and
think that little ounce is nice in apple
sauce. But, here, I'm keeping you
standing. Come and sit down in this
rockingchair, that is, if you don't mind
sitting in the kitchen?"
"Not If it's your kitchen, Mirandy,
for it's so clean and cosy here. How
lovely your plants look"
eyes, I think the Kitchens good
place for plants. There's so much
moisture from the teakettle and it's so
sunny in here. I have crysanthemum
that'll be in full bloom soon."
eff it comes out befdfe you ought to
put it on the table you're to have charge
of when the association meets with us
next week."
n
wouldn't it? And flowers will be real
scarce by that time. Do they expect
God many at the association"
"Oh, yes; the deacon thinks there'll
be as many as 100 delegates come, and
that's what 1 have run over to see you
about. You know I'm chairman of the
committee on entertainments"
"Yes, heard it give out Sunday"
"Well, I'm round looking up enter
tainment for the delegates, and knew
could count on you taking at least one;
you will, won't your"
ooh, yes, I'm willing to take one. I'd
take two if they could room together;
you know I've only one spare room.
could, on pinch, give up my bedroom,
and I could sleep on the settin' room
lounge, but if did that it'd keep me so
busy wouldn't get out to many of the
meetings"
ooh, ones all you ought to be asked
to take, and I'll try to have some real
nice person sent to you. Sometimes
when folks are getting free entertain
ment they're fussier and more exacting
than if they was paying board; I've had
delegates act just So"
"Well, I don't know that have" re-
piled Miss Dill. She was a kindly soul
who did kindly deeds and found delight
in speaking kindly words. Her tongue
was little given to say unkind things
about anyone. and she was loyalty itself
to her brothers and sisters in the Bap-
fist church.
''The association comes the week be-
fore Thanksgiving, ! believe" she said.
when Mrs. Draper had risen to go.
Eyes, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Most of the delegates are expected on
Monday, and they'll be likely to stay
until Thursday"
"Td just as soon have mine to stay
that long as not, if you send me some
real pleasant person. I just enjoyed
entertaining the delegates l had last
spring, when the Woman's Christian
Temperance union met here
''I'll try and have some read nice,
agreeable person sent to you, Mirandy."
Mrs. Draper went on her homeward
way and Miss Dill gave her attention
to the ounce preserves simmering in
ii blue, porcelain-lined kettle on her
SHINING stove. She was as immaculate
~ neat as her surroundings. Her move
ments were as quick and free as those
of girl of 10, while it was said in the
town that Miss Miranda "owned up to
49," but it was also said that whatever
truth. She was known to be absolute
ly honest in word and in deed. Her life
was as an open book.
Tt had always been a good and kindly
life, and much of it had been spent in
the service of others and in promoting
the general good of the world. She was
sometimes called the backbone" of the
vile. There had been times when it
would have been deserted, but for Miss
Dill's zeal, and the free use Of her rather
limited income.
The little church was now pastOrless,
although numerous candidates" had
for some time been filling its pulpit.
Two weeks after Mrs. Draper's call
Miss Dill appeared at that lady's house
in state of manifest perturbation.
''Why, Sister Draper!" she said, ex-
citedly, "my delegate has come, and
why, Sister Draper!"
'Why, what is it, Mirandy?"
you've sent me man delegated"
Miss Dill's look and tone Of dismay
were so comical that Mrs. Draper
laughed aloud.
''Why, Mirandy," she said; ''it's no
killing matter if a man has been sent
to you, is it? Who is hep
''Rev. James Hitler, of Oldfield."
''Why, he was to have been sent to
Brother Palmer's and Mrs. Drewe was
to have been sent to you. Til warrant
you they've made mistake and sent
Mrs. Drewe to Brother Palmer's.'
"But, what shall do?"
"Do?" said Mrs. Draper, with another
laugh. simply make the best of it.
Brother Hitler is a lovely man.
IT know, but won't folks-w it
seem little-well, strange, for lie to
be entertaining gentleman delegate 2"
Nonsense, Mirandy! You're too