The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-08-25
GRAMS OFFERING.

Tho warm September sun shone
,rigbt and full on the row of white
u.asbed cottages known as "Potters
pisce" On every side shrill cries and
i,otter filed the air. Hoarse impreca-
IONS with now and again a vulgar.
u,irtbless laugh, arose from the open
doorwavs. mingled with the hot steamy
Sraath of soapsuds, onions and green
water.
Unregenerate and sinewy urehins, in
Costumes rational enough as far as
freedom of limb was concerned, settled
Outstanding differences mercilessly in
the dust: while white-headed, noisy
babes crowed Justify before the paren-
tsl habitation, their garments appar.
emily longer suffering from repeated
Washing than the sun-tanned faces OF
heir owners. The ladies of "Potter's
piece" in different stages of a process
known to them as cleaning" whether
onnlied to persons or possessions,
screamed places across their
respective palings, interspersed WITH
malicious threats and warnings to the
alive branches without; while others,
either advanced in or Indifferent to the
execution of domestic duties, solemn
IL discussed the probabilities of the re-
cent dry season.
"Nur wet nur vine," quoth a pleas
ant-yoiced, rosy-cheeked woman, adj
dressing herself in friendly accents to
her neighbor, ct 'oodn't make nur a
baporth O. difference to zee, Gran,
reckon
The individual for whom these words
we're intended raised her quantity
night-capped head and nodded know
ngy; then. placing her recently emp
tied basin on the ground beside her,
she fell to contemplating the result of
her especially bestowed care and at
tentiOn.
Upon a gentle slope before her, sur
f rounded by trailing wreath of crisp,
green leaves, reposed a gigantic mar
row. 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
A most served to satisfy its owner-nN
easy matter. asa general rule The harsh
4 lines that time, discomfort and discon-
tent had stamped upon the scared old
4 face, half hidden beneath her frilled
4 cap, softened somewhat as she con-
A emplated the lordly produce of her
a garden patch.
"He do be vine marrer" continued
n the pleasant voice in it's neighborly
tones "That'lt never eat he in week
o. Sundays Gran"
The old woman looked up sharply;
something very like a smile quivered
for a minutes space upon her thin,
Quernlous lips.
Bless ZEE" came the shrill pipe of an
enterpTising youth from the roadway,
I'VE be a-goin' to eat he at the buryin',
we be"
1t was a harmless remark, seemingly,
and might have passed UNDECIDED had
not Gran chosen to put a personal ap-
phcahon on the event mentioned. as
/ II was doubtless intended she should.
green. yirulent light flashed in her
iaded eyes, and she made ready to re-
ply IN language worthy of her reputa-
uon, while the women paused expec-
antly IN their work, and the children
waited in GREATNESS anticipation of the
inevitable.'
Still silence! The eyes of the onlook-
ers wandered from Gran to the dusty
lane beyond. A glimpse of swinging
black coat tails had become visible in
that direction, informing the watchers
mat their eurate, the Rev. Frank Hill
Ton, had turned the corner of "Potter's
Piece, and was fast approaching.
trans mouth closed with a decided
snap as though the effort had cost her
"methlng, which, indeed, it had.
II IS a beautiful idea, the fact of a
string of oaths dying away on the lips
Oh this hardened old reprobate as the
young clergyman's presence became
Glown to her; and it would have been
sun more beautiful had not Grams
name been the first of the list of appli-
Cahts Tor blankets rs usual this winter.
uran would have preferred to have re-
celved the reverend gentleman in her
cAalf by the fireside, for she had her
own reasons for not wishing to display
100 great activity; however, it was too
lale to beat a retreat at present, and
dter having satisfied her resentment by
shaking her fist at her young tormen-
'of' she leaned more heavily upon the
SUCK she carried, and moved feebly to- ,
Ndrd the gate, starting in somewhat
exaggerated surprise when the curate's
'oige was heard eXclaiming cheerily:
mats right, Gran; Pm glad to see
you out this fine day! The rheumatism
- netter, | hope. 1t is, isn't it?" he
suued, as she nodded a grudging as
sent; and l suppose that, under the
ful?" ii'"e e'"''
1t be OWN to thiccy blessed drouth,"
que mumbled ungraciously; "it be
luihin The crops, so it be-"
an almost imperceptible shadow of
ssauhesS stole across the young mans
ACE at her words.
heart and soul he had devoted him
.eiI 10 his Masters work, and to the
many failures and disappointment
Leetssary to exalted endeavors he had
oas accustomed himself. But to Gran
was 1t really quite impossible to
edcn the heart OF this sullen, ill-tem-
pered old woman, who accepted all
,ueFcles as matter of course, grumbl-
lns and sneering at the many blessings
mspehsed to her? Not that he was dis
-oufaged or lacking in the faith neces-
'aly Tor the anticipation of some
n'nseln this erring but venerable soul,
's' it mad occurred to him, as he look
~ compassionately down at the feeble,
o.tefing old body before him. that
psfhaps, even to-day, the time might
~ srowlng snort in which the earthly
9SHeratlon of Gran must be accom-
aheu Doubtless If the old lady had
WV aole to give Vent to her feelings
4 lew carefully chosen words before
s arrival he might have met with a
'gr inviting reception,
tld9 II occurred to her to ask herself
ny n.y. her pastor Should lend an ever