Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-01-17
HOW MARTHA ANN KEPT THE SABBATH.
BY ELLA VAN HEEKEREN.

IN
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''Some folks thinks the Lords laid
up with the rheumiticks. Martha
groaned, "along with the parson; but
they'll ind themselves mistook. It's
no decent folks that'll be having their
acquaintance. I've lived nigh On to
20 years bout these parts, and I never
seed such goings OH.
Marthy Ann took good pains to wait
Tor their return, and planted herself
by the gate. AS they neared the
house Josh Blinkly reined in his
horses.
afternoon, Mrs. Higgins; nice
weather, only the dust is smothering"
Martha held herself rigid, not d
muscle moved, While JOSH in dilem-
mo at her strange behavior, hid his
confusion under pretense of fecking
the dies off of old Charley's back.
There was a giggle from the back
seat which proved too much for Mar
thy Ann.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep
it holy" was all she said, but she
turnod her back ON the wayward siu-
ners, and marched straight up the
path and into the house, leaving Josh
to whip up his horses and drive on.
'.I'm awfully sorry for Siias," said
the offending giggler; ''it do seem
that Marthy Ann Higgins gets more
cranky every day.
Mrs. Silas Higgins was noted for
miles round for having the snowiest
linen on the line. "Give it good
summing" she said, "get your wash
out early, and don't be in a hurry
fetching it iu." So on the following
morning, true to her principles, she
was up betimes, got her breakfast out
of the way, sending Silas of half an
hour earlier than usual, then getting
the tubs out on the back porch, set to
work.
1t was with great satisfaction that
she viewed her snowy sheets as they
swayed back and forth in the soft sum-
mer breeze, and thought within her.
self that Mrs. Brown wouldn't yet be
through her breakfast dishes.
She had nearly finish 4 starching
Silas' shirt when a si den sotind
made her drop the i ace on the
ground. For the land . sakel there
goes the meeting house bell; what's
up now, I wonder? ives great mind
to run: over to Deacon Whites and
see if they KNOW" But look at the
work still on hand determined her to
remain at home, and She went on deft-
ly pinning the shirts seam to seam
and the towels tapping.
At dinner she questioned Silas rs
to the bells, but he hadn't heard them,
and guessed she was dreaming; still to
satisfy her he'd drive down to the vii
lage and inquire.
''You might fetch up that barrel of
-four from the station as you come
back, and just leave this bundle at
Widow jones'" So Silas harnessed
Bobbin to the cart, and, taking from
the top peg in the hall his old straw
hat, he started on his errand.
AS Marthy Ann was passing win
dow in the hall on her way upstairs to
'tidy up bit" she was startled by
the strange appearance of her wash,
aud, hurrying down, was still more
surprised, for in the place of her linen
hung great squares of white paper
bearing this inscription: ''Keep the
Sabbath Day Holey."
"Humph!" she ejacu' ated, ''some
people are small" And tearing down
the offending placards she replaced
the clothes which had been thrown in
a heap to one side. Ii she had looked
close, she would have found fresh
gap in the hedge which divided the
Browns fnrm from theirs.
''I've had more scares than enough
today" she thought as she sat down
to her darning. Whatever makes
the folks stop at our gate aud stare, 1
don't know. Lord deliver me from
company on Monday
Just then there came knock at the
front door, and Marthy AIMS heart
failed; still she could rise to any occa-
sion, and she did so now, letting her
visitor in none too graciously.
It was Deacon White, dressed in
his meeting clothes and carrying his
Bible under his arm. Putting his silk
hat under the chair, he sat down by
Marthy's side.
ST reckon you'll not mind if I go
on with my work. said N1arthy Ann,
breaking off the cotton with her teeth;
''there's heap to do somehow today
and big wash. Your folks through?"
''Sister Higgins, answered the
deacon, and his voice was almost Pa
thetic, 'let US pray!" pnd down went
the good man on his knees, first
Speeding his bandana handkerchief on
the floor.
Possibly Marthy AIMS spirit re-
belled against putting down the un-
finished darn, but she followed the
deacon's lead, vigorously emphasizing
her "Amens" as he prayed for those
who broke the sanctity of the Sabbath.
As they rose from their knees the
deacon took her hands.
"Sister Higgins, you've been. resk-
oned one of the elect round here since
you experienced change of heart, and
I'm powerful glad that you feel you're
sinner"
Marthy Ann stepped back and stared
at her visitor in amaSement.,
ST caculate on doing my duty, dea-
con; there's some mighty black sheep
in the fold that need looking after
more than me.
The deacon shook his head sadly.
Here was Q hagrant case, needing all
his eloquence to bring the erring sin.
ner home.
"I'll not say but you're good wife
and keep Silas Higgins home in order;
but, sister, it would be better to put