The record-union., 1898-10-02
GRAMS THANK OFFERING.

l
washed cottages known as "Potter's
Piece" On every side shrill cries and
clatter filled the air. Hoarse impreca-
| tons. with now and again q vulgar,
mirthless laugh, arose from the open
doorways, mingled with the hot steamy
breath of soapsuds, onions and green
| water.
Unregenerate and sinewy urchins, In
costumes rational enough as far as
freedom of limb was concerned, settled
long standing differences mercilessly in
the dust; while white-headed, noisy
| babes crowed Justify before the
parental habitation, their garments APP
parently longer suffering from repeated
washing than the SUM- tanned faces of
their owners. The ladies of Potter s
Piece" in different stages of a process
known to them as cleaning" whether
applied to- persons or possessions,
| screamed commonplace across their
respective palings, interspersed with jul
dicious threats and warnings to the
olive branches without; while others.
either advanced in or Indifferent to the
execution of domestic duties, solemnly
discussed the probabilities Of the re-
cent dry season
|
ant-voiced, rosy-cheeked woman, ad-
dressing herself in friendly accents to
her neighbor, st 'oodn't make nur a
haporth O. difference to zee, Gran, I
reckon
The individual for whom these words
were intended raised her quantity
night-capped head and nodded know
ingly; then, placing her recently
| 6mntjad ha the ground beside
her, she fell to contemplating the re-
suit of her especially bestowed care and
attention.
Upon gentle slope before her, sur
rounded by trailing wreath Of crisp,
hairy, green leaves, reposed a gigantic
marrow Just this one fruit by some
strange fate had formed and ripened
on the luxuriant and sturdy plant; but
it had attained such perfect form and
enormous proportions that it had al
most served to satisfy it's owner-no
easy matter, as a general rule. The
harsh lines that time, discomfort and
discomfort had stamped upon the
scared old face, half hidden beneath
her frilled cap, softened somewhat as
she contemplated the lordly produce Of
her garden patch.
the pleasant voice in it's neighborly
tones. ''Tha'lt never eat he in a week
O. Sundays. Gran"
The old woman looked up sharply;
something very like a smile quivered
for a minutes space upon her thin.
querulous lips.
Bless 'ee." came the shrill pipe Of an
enterprising youth from the roadway,
| ''Wa ha q C-Oin' hQ a the hIrvin'
we be-"
It was a harmless remark, seeming
ly, and might have passed unheeded
had not Gran chosen to put a personal
application on the event mentioned, as
it was doubtless intended she should.
A green, virulent light flashed in her
faded eyes, and she made ready to re-
ply in language worthy of her reputa-
ton, while the women paused ex-
pectantly in their work, and the chill
dren waited in GREATNESS anticipation
of the inevitable
Still silence! The eyes of the on
lockers wandered from Gran to this
dusty lane beyond. A glimpse of swing.
ing black coat tails had become visible
in that direction, informing the watch.
ers that their curate, the Rev. Frank
Hilton, had turned the corner of Pot
ter's Piece and was fast approach
ing.
Grams mouth closed with a decided
snap, as though the effort had cost
her something. which, indeed, it had.
1t is a beautiful idea, the fact Of a
string Of oaths dying away on the lips
of this hardened old reprobate as the
young clergyman's presence became
known to her; and it would have been
still more beautiful had not Grams
name been the first of the list of appli-
cants for blankets as usual this win
ter. Gran would have preferred to have
received the reverend gentleman in her
chair by the freside, for she had her
own reasons for not wishing to display
too great activity; however, it was too
late to beat a retreat at present and
after having satisfied her resentment
by shaking her fist at her young tor
mentor, she leaned more heavily upon
the stick she carried and moved feebly
toward the gate, starting in somewhat
exaggerated surprise when the curate's
voice was heard exclaiming cheerily:
That's right, Gran; I'm glad to see
you out this fine day, The rheuma tism
| is better, l hope. 1t is. isn't it?' he
added, as she nodded a grudging as
sent; and I suppose that under the
| circumstances, We are feeling CRATE
ful?"
But Gran did not propose to feel any
thing Of the kind. AT her time of
life dispositions are not readily chang
ed, and Gran had not the least intention
of developing any such soft hearted
virtue as gratitude.
1T be OWN to thiccy blessed
drouth,' she mumbled ungraciously;
1T be ruinin' the crops, SO 1t be-
An almost imperceptible shadow Of
sadness stole across the young mans
face at her words. His profile, clear
cut against the white back ground of
the house wall, was somewhat Grecian
in its outline, as shown in the broad
intellectual forehead, almost directly In
line with the finely chiseled, sensitive
nose beneath. Again, the curved, firm
~ closed lips, earnest and purposeful
formed the mouth of an enthusiast;
while the chin, though perhaps a irifle
weak in position, was we'll proportion
ed and characteristic
Heart and soul he had devoted HIM
self to his Masters work and to the
many failures and disappointments nee
essary to exalted endeavors he had long
accustomed himself. But to Gran--was
it really quite impossible to reach the
heart of this sullen, ill-tempered old
woman who accepted all mercies as
matter of course, grumbling and sneer-
ing at the many blessings dispensed to
her? Not that he was discouraged or
lacking the faith necessary for the an