The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-03-20
PRIDE OF TIE VILLAGE
IL j. LINCOLN STEFTGyS.

80 Il: IA. ::; :: :; =; E: ::
GsQj ~ thin hands rubbed
aV/T . and rubbed till the
ar bA q little white curls on
S''S " her forehead danced
like street children. let the labor
had 10 percep;ib!e effect. The metal
shone like light, but SO it did when
she began to clean it. 1t had snone
like that yesterday and the dav be.
fore, and, indeed, every day for sixty
years. There WAS q smooth circle all
around the knocher where her delicate
hands mad worn into the hard, black
wood OF the door. Nevertheless the
old lady rubbed away just as she had
oone every morning since the spring
OF 1875, when she was brought, a
bride, into that house. She was the
pride of Greenwich village then, and
she meant to be still.
On this particular frosty morning
Mrs. Le7een tarried longer than usual
at her task, After the lions head was
satisfactory even to her sharp eyes,
she worked on. But it was evident in
the giauces she shot across Bank street
that her attention WIS not given
wholly to the work Of her hands.
Neither was it diverted to her custom
ary inspection of the neighbors'
knockers. Theirs glistened like hers,
ana, besides, every time she looked up
her eyes turned TO but one door, that
OF the house in front of which stood
TWO sturdy horses and a truck.
Pretty soon the door opened and q
young man in carriers blouse came
out. He saw the old lady across the
street, though he pretended not to.
lie busted himself osteutatiously
about the horses heads Tor moment
and then turned back to the truck.
Mrs. Leyeen had seen MIN. She bent
herself earnestly to the knocher and
ID few strokes finished it of. Then
sne faced toward TIE street and fixed
the truckman with her eyes TIL he mad
to look up.
Good morning, Aunt Martha" he
said as he dotted his cap.
She beclioned him to come to her.
"Good morning, Percy" she an
swered pleasantly as he approached
her, cap in hand. "Como in moment.
wish to speak with yor."
The interview he had dreaded for
weeks was upon him. He knew from
the first time it Was inevitable, but day
after day he had put it OF, omitt1ng
usual calls on his aunt, and avoiding
her sight and summons. Now that
she had caught him be wes glad. AS
he followed the old lady into her prim,
comfortable sittinS-room he made
pitiful figure OF humility, but in the
meekness OF his soul there was the
cheerfulness Of tinaliiy.
"Sit down, Percy" she said in the
sweet.toned voice he loved.
He took the chair she indicated and
she seated herself in her old rocker.
''Percy, dear" she began, sis this
true that | hear; YOU mean to marry
this glrl?"
"Yes, Aunt Martha. was going to
tell you, but knowing as you were asin
iS-Anowing that you wound not like
to have me do sol was afraid to come
10 you about it,
'Uon't twill yo7c cap, my dear;
gentlemen don't GO that, you Know"
He stuck his cap between his knees.
II EN- sorry, Percy, you felt that
way. It is my intention always to be
kind and sympathetic. You should
havc been qnite sure I would have
heard your story through with under
standing. Now tell NE everything.
She is the daughter, I an told, of
German in Hudson street.
CHATS right, aunt. Her father has
the biggest corner grocery over there,
aud he has made bis pile mean has
made his money since he's been here"
Glow long has he been here?"
"Going OF twenty-five year. Oh,
he's almost az old Ninth Warder now.
He's some in politics and his family is
right III it,
Percy! never knew them"
81 know, but you wouldn't. It
amt my fault. wanted to have
them oil over to mothers SO as Won
could be introduced to them
The old LADY looked as though she
would answer this, hut she did not
She was silent d moment before she
proceeded:
$50 her father is q grocer?"
eyes. like Mr.. Jamison, who you
like well enough"
"Mr. Jamison is gentleman, nv
dear. The misiortuucs OF his family
can never alter that. The Jamisous