The Opelousas courier., 1900-02-10
HOW MARTHA ANN kept THE SABBATH.
BIZ ELLA VAN HEEKEREN.

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"Some folks thinks the Lords laid
up with the rheumiticks," Martha
groaned, '.along with the rarson; but
they'll find 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 on"
Marthy Ann took good pains to wait
for their return, and planted herself
by the gate. As. they neared the
house Josh Blinkly refined in his
horses.
Afternoon, Mrs. Higgins; nice
weather, only the dust is smothe1ing."
Martha held herself rigid, not a
muscle moved, while Josh, in a dilem-
ma at her strange behavior, hid his
confusion under a pretense Of fecking
the d;es off of old Charley's back.
There was q 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
turned her back on the hayward sim
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 Silas," said
the offending giggler; sit 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. s'Give it a good
summing" she said, stget your wash
out early, and don't be In a hurry
fetching it ip." So on the following
morning, true to her principles, she
was up betimes, got her breakfast out
Of the way, sending Silas off 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 finished starching
Silas' shirt when q sudden sound
made her drop the piece on the
ground. "For the lands sake! 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 a look at the
work still on hand determined her to
remain at home, and she went on deft-
ly pinniIg the shirts seam to seam
and the towels tapping.
At dinner she questioned Silas MS
to the bells, but he hadn't heard them,
and guessed she was dreaming; still to
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 Grand.
As Marthy Ann was passing a win
dow in the hall on her way upstairs to
s'tidy mp a Bit" she was startled by
the strange appearance of her wash,
and, 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 lay Holey."
"Humph!' she eiaeu' ated, ssome
people are small" And tearing down
the offending placards she replaced
the clothes which had been thrown in
q heap to one side. If she had looked
she would have found a fresh
gap in the hedge which divided the
Browns farm from theirs.
eve had more scares than enough
today she thought as she sat down
TO her darning. "Whatever makes
the folks stop at our gate and stare, /
don't know. Lord deliver me from
company on q Monday"
Just then there came a knock at the
front door, and Marthy AIMS heart
still she could rise to any occa-
sfosa and she did SO now, letting her
visit pr in none too g~raciously.
ItEas Deacon White, dressed in
meeting clothes and carrying his
Bibleander his arm. Putting his silk
hat unesr the chair, he sat down by
MaJsuyts side.
I reckon you'll not mind If I go
onJwith my work." said Marthy Ann,
breaking off the cotton with her teeth;
there's a heap TO do somehow today
and a big wash. Your folks through?''
Sister Higgins" answered the
deacon, and his voice was almost ra-
"let us pray!'' and 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
.leacon's lead, vigorously emphasizing
her SAmens' IS he prayed for those
who broke the sanctity of the Sabbath.
As they rose from their knees the
took her hands.
Sister Higgins, you've been rock
oned mi 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 aud stared
1t her visitor in amazement.
II caculate on doing my duty, dea-
there's some mighty black sheep
N the fold that need looking after
more than me-