The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-08-30
you've me-. ouotn .uat,lc plusle,


ant now, Matte" said the old lady
very sorrowfully.
You'll have Il servant, Miss Priscil-
In. as long as I've pair Of hands to
do your work.
And for no reasoning Of Miss Pris-
cilla's would Matte bulge an inch
from her decision.
Miss Lorimer had feeble constitu-
ton, and the shock OF her brothers
sudden death made q chronic invalid
Of her. Miss Miriam was almost as
helpless in her way, and it is hard to
tell what would have become Of the
sisters had it not been for Matte. She
was their sole support, but the remark
able thing is that nobody knew it e1-
cept poor old Miss Priscilla herself.
The cir, guarded her mistresses' pride
as carefully as, if it were her own.
AS soon rs possible Matte started
the various small industries by which
she managed to keep the pot boiling
for three. The little white house be-
longed to the sisters, and that lessened
her difficulties somewhat. Still it was
no light task she had undertaken. She
was at work early and late and was
withal the cheeriest little woman you
would meet in days march.
To the villagers who Quizzed her
about her industry and her earnings
she declared she was laying By" for
her providing" she was not minded
to be portionless bride.
Her visits to the neighboring town
with supplies of fruit and vegetables
for the market had set the gossips
agog, and they had many dark hints
to make regarding her honesty. When
the girl invaded their own ground,
however, and began to buy and retail
the creels Of fish, the sight Of her
depravity could no longer be endured,
and they went in deputation to in
form and caution the old ladies.
The only bad effect of the ignorant
interference Of these busyb0dies was to
make Miss Miriam more intolerant IN
private of "AIattie's eccentricities" and
q little suspicion that the girl was
greedy. Mattie's indefatigable energy
became a source of irritation to the
delicate old maid, who had not the
key to It, and poor Miss Priscilla's Of
flee Of mediator was not always a
sinecure. But they seldom Quarreled
outright, for Matte rarely forgot that
Miss Miriam had been .'kept in the
dark and, besides, she had q tactful
way with her. Scenes like the, follow
ing were Of frequent occurrence, how
ever.
Nattie's bright face would lcok
round the sitting room door Of q morn
ing. ooh, Miss Miriam, if you're not
too busy, would you mind plucking a
few young peas? 1 must finish the
washing, but would like to take them
to the market today. They're scarce"
Miss Miriam would continue to nib
BILE the end Of her quill pen redectively.
{She is seated at her desk. 1t is Miss
Miriam's belief that she has the poetic
gift, and her. time is much occupied IN
its exercise)
cts such q lovely morning" says
Matte persuasiyely.
Dear, dear! If you only knew what
it means to be disturbed at such mo-
ments! But you have no tact, no con-
sideration; you will never learn, Mat
tie! cries the lady pettishly.
..I'm SO sorry, ma'am, but the peas
will so soon be past their best, and"-
'.The peas. indeed! And what Of my
ideas? If I do not pluck them when
they are ripe, they wither also.'
"But think Of the price they'll
fetch!' cries the maid, her mind upon
the peas.
sThe price! Thank goodness, l have
never put my gift to base uses-and
never will! Matte, it grieves me to
see you becoming so mercenary. do
not think I can possibly afford time
for the peas this morning"
"Dear Miss Miriam. not if tell you
1 want the money to buy a chicken for
Miss Priscilla? She enjoyed the last
so much. assure you, it's not for my
self this time"
"That alters the case entirely. Ger
tainly, certainly, we must get chick
en- for Miss Priscilla" Then the good
lady sets her cap straight, and takes
her way contentedly to the sunny
garden.
1t was during the first winter-a Sc
we're one. as luck would have it-that
Matte had her hardest struggle to
,.eep the wolf from the door. She had
not vet started the little poultry farm
which yielded her q tolerable income
later on The garden was empty, save
for the small household supply Of win
ter potatoes. Fruits, flowers and vege-
tables were no longer available, and
the sailings and catches Of the fishing
feet were most irregular. In spite Of
the girls efforts to earn enough by her
needle, the pinch & want was felt IN
the little home. II was Miss Priscilla's
painful anxiety on account OF her
sister and Matte that reused the latter
to her utmost endeavor. She bethought
her of q plan, and straightway entered
into compact with a cousin of hers,
a young fisherman, who had shown
himself very friendly toward her Of
late. He was to lend her his cobble OF
q night to go a-fshing in the firth on
her own account. and he would have g
percentage of her winnings. She made
the stipulations that he was not to
speak of the transaction to any one,