The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-05-18
which GENERALLY included . good sup.
ply Of beef-tea,

squire. But don't see why the young
woman can't 60 out to service"
"Not strong enough" replied the doc
tor, NOR brought up to that sort of
work. She has the instincts Of a lady,
but unfortunately not enough educa-
tion to fit her for teaching"
"Then, from what can see Of 1t, "
said the squire, "she will be here for
the rest of her days-like old Molly
Mobbs, that was reckoned to have cost
the ratepayers over C 900 altogether"
"Unless she accepts this OFFER" said
the chaplain. "Eh! gentlemen"
All looked little doubtful, as II not
quite certain whether to treat the sug-
gestion seriously.
At that moment n troop of little work
house children filed past the window,
followed by young woman, clad in
the lilac-check union gown and hideous
black straw union bonnet with its pur-
pie ribbon.
'There goes Susannah West!" ex-
claimed the master; "she's just bring
ing the little ones home from walk.
A rare hand with them she is, too."
The sun was shining straight upon
the young woman in question, and the
board caught a glimpse of a dazzling
wild-rose complexion and bands of red
gold waving hair.
"a very respectable girl, indeed" said
the parson; land l for one suggest
that we follow this offer up. We ought
to make inquiries; and, though have
plenty to do in the parish" (the Others
exchanged quietly amused glances at
this assertion, for it was well known
that the parson took his parochial du-
ties very Lightly, II will go over to
Thorpe St. Barnabas myself and find
out all that l can of Mr.. Stephen YAK
ley. But in the meantime, Tripp, say
nothing to the girl"
A special board meeting was held a
few days later. The parsons inquiries
proved satisfactory, and it now only
remained to inform the young woman
of the proposal.
81 suppose you've quite settled 1t
shall be Susannah West, gentlemen"
said the master, Il little diffidently.
II suppose 30, Tripp. Why?" asked
the squire.
"Well, sir, for the matter of getting
rid Of one Of the women, I'd sooner It
was Mary Pott. She's such n grumbling
crcature-never satisfied"
$50 she is, Trip; but then she's a
widow, and that is against Mr.. Yaxley's
specifications"
Tripp scratched his head. mot q
bad-looking woman. SIR" he observed.
mo, no. But o stipulation is q stip-
ulation; and /, for my part, consider
that Providence has sent this special
offer on purpose for Susannah West"
A murmur Of approval followed this
assertion; only the butcher ventured
to demur. Seems bit oldish for the
girl. don't he, gentlemenf"
"Ud? Pshaw! What's 5s?" cried
one and all. Better able to take care
Of q wife. Got position" etc.
"Yes, yes; to be sure. Ofcourse that
tuuAVb upy puiu tAiC OuVShCAs
Every WELL" said the parson; "then
let II be settled once for all that he have
Susaunah West"
"Yes, gentlemen; that is all very
we'll rs far rs It goes" observed the
medical officer, who had not yet
spoken. "Dut the question still re-
mains: viii Susannah West have
himT
The others looked little foolish. as
though this side Of the argument had
not struck them.
THAT we can soon find out" said
Parson Weaver, irritably. "Trip,
fetch the girl here"
In few minutes the girl stood be-
fore them; she looked shy and half
frightened, wondering what the board
could want of her.
"Ha! Susannah, my DEAR" began the
parson-he had called her Miss West
In the days of her prosperity, but one
cannot expect complimentary titles in
the workhouse-"we have sent for you
-because-in short-well, we have a
very advantageous offer, which we
think will just suit you"
Before Susannah could make any re-
ply. the squire, determined that the
chaplain should not have II all his own
way. exclaimed in his hearty voice:
"What would you say to a good home
and kind husband. my girl?"
The color flooded Susannah's face;
she gave one startled glance, then stood,
with her eyes on the floor, nervously
plating . eas1sP Of her checked apron.
"PerAaps y WouN - - well II l
read the lsee0 - hAs0 Soestvsd," ," said
the par.on, Siaslas ainppr0val at his
neighbor for having forced his hand.
Then he put on his spectacles, and
read in slow and ponderous tones Mr..
Stephen Yaxley's epistle, pausing every
now and then to see the effect. II he
expected rapturous gratitude when he
finished he was disappointed. Susan.
nah never raised her eyes. Her color
came and went, and her lips trembled;
but she said not word.