Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-10-08

1 tHtJ EuStieu muSicaHy over the
heads OF merry maids and sedate
matrons as they wendell their way
to Aunt Nabby's hospitable doors.
Within the large and homelike
rooms Aunt Nabby hustled about
greeting her guests with a kindly
smile and the Injunction to "put
your cakes and pies right on the
pantry Shelves which they did, I'M
til the shelves fairly groaned with
their weight.
Truly the sewing circle had opened
auspiciously. Nimble fingers kept
time With busy tongues as the NO
men piled their needles and thread.
II declare it does beat all, the way
some people act," exclaimed Miss
Simpkins, bending over her sewing.
HMaking so bold to attrsct attention,
and they old enough to know bet
ter!n
"Why, what do you mean, Sister
Simpkins 7" inquired Aunt Nabby in
surprise.
81 mean just what | say. Are
you stone-blind that you don't see
the way Widder Hopkins is carrying
on? Twas only this morning that
| saw her 60 way cross the street to
speak to our new minister, and here's
the afternoon pretty nigh gone and
she amt been here to sew stitch
yet, and she's church member"
"Oh, probably something's him
dered her. I've no doubt she'll
come by-and-by."
ooh, we'll, Sister Simpkins,
really think it will turn out all
right, and I wouldn't mind il / were
you"
Wouldn't mind y exclaimed Miss
Simpkins, indignantly. "Why,
Abby Brown, I hope you don't think
| care! No, indeed, not 1 It's
nothing to me, OF course; but as a
member of the church I can't ap-
prove of all | see." And the speaker
bent to her work with so much
energy that she put the needle
through her finger instead of the
cloth, and broke the thread with a
snap, while poor aunt Nabby looked
distressed as she saw how vain had
been the effort to soothe her troubled
spirit.
Meanwhile, the Widow Hopkins
was in distant part of the town
kindly ministering to poor Mrs,
Smith, who had been confined to her
bed for months. Indeed, it was in
her behalf. Mrs. Hopkins had crossed
the street that morning to speak to
the minister. And now, as he en-
tered the Smith cottage bringing the
medicine which she had asked him
to procure, bright smile lighted up
her face.
$50 very kind of you, Elder Pot
tie, to get this for US, and saving me
| such long walk"
"Yes, Elder Pottle," family added
poor Mrs. Smith, "besides giving
Mrs. Hopkins so much time with me.
Oh, / know the Lord will be good to
her, for she has been good to me.
All day has she stayed here, and
this the afternoon of the sewing cir
Gle, too, and I'm sure they are look
ing for her there this very minute =
The conversation then turned to
the sewing circle, Elder Pottle re-
marking that he did not remember
having met Miss Abby Brown, al
though her name sounded very ia
miliar to him.
II have heard my sister say,'
said he, "that several years ago,
when she was teaching school in
some New England town, she fell ill
at the house of a Mrs. Brown, with
whom she was boarding, and to the
untiring care Of Mrs. Brown and, her
daughter Abby, to whom she became
very much attached, she owed her
recovery. The friendship was con-
tinued, think, until. the death of
my sister in the West, two years ago.
I have been thinking that the Miss
Brown who lives here may be the
same Abby for whom my sister en-
tertained such strong regard"
Several of our village school
teachers boarded with Mrs. Brown
previous to her DEATH said Mrs.
Hopkins, "and I have no doubt that
Aunt Nabby. as we have all learned
to call her, is the lady of whom you
speak. Are you going to her house
to tea p
"Yes, such is my intention, for |
am desirious of making her acquain.
tance."
"Then I'll introduce you this very
night" exclaimed Mrs. Hopkins.
aShe is one OF the dearest old maids
you ever saw, Elder Pottle, and
know you'll like her."
1t was late in the afternoon when
Mrs. Hopkins started in the direction
of Aunt Nabby's, accompanied by
the minister, who remarked as be
babe her adieu at the village post
Office;
81 will surely call this evening
Mrs. Hopkins. Do not forget your
promise"
"Oh, never fearl I'll keep ny