Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-08-02
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CHAPTER xxi

CHAPTER XXII.
Della makes her first entry into thu
cottages which have been allotted to hel
care with some degree of eclat. 1t is moi
everybody who can get on with the poor
1t requires more than n desire to do then
good 10 be able to effect it. Della pos
sesses the essentials of n very sweet vOicl
and affable manner that makes her ap
pear even more interested than she Il
when discussing matters that do not CON
cern herself. She will not carry tracts
nor Bibles nor any of the formula of PAP
ish visiting in her hand. But she takes
one or two illustrated papers from Mrs
Uephl .hah's drawer, and few roses on,
of the cottage garden. She will not enter
the house without knocking, but stands
on the threshold until she has received
permission TO enter
The old people and the children stare
at hcr at first with the uncouth breeding
OF the lower orders. but although she ID
go unused TO their society, she makes
them feel at home with her at once. Hel
secret is simple one. She treats then
rs though they belonged to her own ranb
OF life and takes no liberty with them
that she would be ashamed to do with
ladies and gentlemen.
So that even on that first day she re
reives many cordial invitation to return
soon, and has engaged herself to read the
news, once a week, to such of her friend:
as may be active enough to assemble il
one place to listen to it.
Mr.. lie Mesurier laughs loudly whel
she reports her early efforts to establish
club in Cloyerfield. and how it has SCI
her thinking that il he can procure her 1
vacant room for the purpose, she nigh.
add to the pleasure by giving the old peo
pie tea or coffee, and permitting them ts
smoke while she reads TO them.
We shall have you setting up free
and-cIsy' next, Mrs. Manners, and pre-
siding AT the piano and the bar yourself
What dreadful mistake have made by
setting you. with all these loose cont.
mental notions in your head, to run riot
among my innocent parishioners! Have
you been able to make anything out of old
StrotherT"
Not yet. He would not even look a.
me. far less speak. But hope that may
MT last. Is he as surly with your"
Far worse! He has taken a hatred
or fear, of mel cannot tell why-which
has prevented my visiting him for q lOna
time. | am afraid he is not a very amia.
blt old person. i wish he had never come
here"
He is not a native Of Cloverfield
them"
oh, no. lie is a Scotchman, the fathel
OF Mrs. Kcnnett, who died many years
ago. His daughter undertook the charge
OF him when he became n widOwer.
consider the old man to be quite mad
and advised Kennett to place him in the
county asylum; but it seems that he prom
isei his wife upon her death-bed not te
do so. So he will be saddled with his sup
port aS long as he lives, which must be
very iuconvenient, as he requires constant
watching"
His granddaughter, Patsy Kennett
complained bitterly to me the other day
of the confinement it entailed on her"
Poor Patsy. Yes she is a fine girl.
replies Mr.. lie Mesurier, with a slight in
Grease OF color.
''Sh- appears devoted to you"
1T is all fancy, assure You. She SUIT
Tered terribly from neuralgia short time
since. and l was foolish enough to try Il
mesmeriSm would relieve her. The at
tempt was successful but the natives dc
not understand the meaning nor the effect
Of such cure, and had great reason tc
regret having used it."
IN what wayf"
''It attracted my patient too much TO
ward me, and my motives and actions
were altogether misinterpreted. That il
one reason that / seldom cross Kennett's
threshold now unless l am obliged to dc
So"
You are practiced mesmerist, thenT
Yes, yes. But pray don't speak of it
The subject is an unpleasant one to me
and | would rather not discuss it. Shall
you see old Strother to-day"
Il think | shall not find my way up to
kennett's farm until Monday"
Monday will be the day of the schoo.
feast, when had hoped to have had your
Assistance in the field.'
If You will excuse me I would rathe.
not be present. Mrs. Bond intends to be
there | know, with n sackful of toys and
sugar plums: but l cannot play at chill
dren's games, and shall be more usefully
employed elsewhere"
In the matter of the school feast, she Il
determined not to be associated with him
because the affair itself is so thoroughly
cut Of her line that her friends will OF
necessity think she has taken part IN II
with the simple intention of pleasing him.
80 she remains firm in her refusal; and
Oh Monday afternoon, when the tent is
pitched, and the flags are flying, and the
village band is making most discordani
music in the wears field, and the schoo
children, with their tin mugs hung round
Their necks, are marching two-and-twO NJ
the iauTeled drive. Della is half mile
away rUilinr along tho In no that lead t<
Mr. kcnnett's farm.
As she enters the long, narrow garden
that fronts the house, she becomes aware
Of loud voices engaged in alteration and
making themselves very audible through
the open window.
Now, then, Patsyv' exclaims Farmer
henuctt, off with all that fal-lal fineryl
aud sit down to your work agen, as tel
-. Why, where wad ye be runnin' to al
this time O the AFTERNOON"
Sc going to the school feast, to bs
sure" replies the girl.
"Ay! | guessed as much. A follcrin
the parson agen! A blcaten' arter In
like an unweaned lamb! Now, l tell ye
once for all, l won't have it! There's the
Old mans meals to be got, and he to b'
looked arter. and the parsOn may go t.
blazes before you shall neglect your pro
per work to run arter him! We've enough
that already, 1 tell ye.''
ME- hennett," eXclaims Della, unwill-
ing 10 hear any more Of the conversation
'hout making her presence known, lis
.il; Strother indoors tO-dayT
sure, ma'am, l was just having a talk
VIZ. M ratsy aboot him as ye came up"
And how are you, PatsyY'
..i ase well enough, ma am, thank ye!