The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-08-24

ndu SetHtu 10 Sldnu on tne l1feSHOlt
of a glorious happiness, and the ole
song had risen to her lips now as il
had done then. She hardly knew
what she had been singing; but she
felt that she must in some way have
drawn back the veil from the sacred
picture that had so long hung
shrouded in her heart.
Fortunately, there was no need for
her to answer, for Mrs. Bolton forth
with seized the broom, chased the as
tonished cat out of the cushioned arm
chair, and proceeded to sweep and
dust and beat and bang until Miss
Martha's poor head swan. She made
fresh rents in the precious old chintz
curtains, and tore off from the car
pet a handful of tatters which, being
far beyond the ministrations of needle
and thread, were every morning laid
deftly back in place by Miss Martha
patient fingers. Next, she brought a
bowl of hot water, in which to scrub
the host of china krickknacks; and
Miss Martha's heart sent up silent
hymn of thanksgiving when she was
given the towel and allowed to dry
them herself. Poor Miss Martha held
her breath when the little china box
as the Praying Samuel took his
plunge; and she gave great sigh of
relief as she returned the last china
dog in safety to its place.
Then Mrs. Bolton turned to the ar
ticles hanging on the walls. The
sampler fortunately for iD was
framed; but on each side of the chin
ney hung a trife or two made of per-
forated paper. Miss Martha had never
known what use these were intended
for; but, all the same, they were the
pride of her heart-they were $50
tasty" On these Mrs. Bolton laid sud-
den ha: DIS.
81 never could see why you keep these
faded things hanging up she re-
marked. "They are nothing but dust
traps! Don't you think they had bet
ter go into the FREQ
"Oh, don't!" cried Miss Martha, pite-
ously; "please don't!"
but IL Vas LOU Idlts lHty were
already curling up in the flames.
81 think the room looks very ntce,'
remarked Mrs. Bolton, complacently.
as she tied on her bonnet. Now, be
sure to let me know when you want
help again"
Miss Martha thanked her feebly,
while the tears kept dropping ON the
package of choice Hyson tea which
Mrs. Bolton had laid on the table. And
when Mrs. Bolton was fairly gone, and
Puss came peeping cautiously in and
sprang into her mistress lap with an
atfectionate new, Miss Martha clasped
this sympathetic friend to her heart
and cried bitterly.
But Miss Bolton went on her way re-
joicing. The path to the village lay
through tiny bit of woods, where the
ground sloped away to little hollow.
The spring sunshine lay on everything
on the young leaves, on the rocks be-
side the path, on the little green things
pushing their heads up from under last
years fallen leaves. The birds sang
gayly, the hum of bees came from the
fragrant crab-appie tree that stood
like pink and white cloud beside the
way. and tiny thread of water muir
INJURED a glad little song to itself as it
hurried over the pebbles. Yet Mrs.
Bolton saw and heard none of these
things. She walked in the sunshine of |
a kind deed performed, and heard the |
blessings of grateful heart. |
The next house she reached was that |
Of Mrs. SHELTON, whose little boy had |
oeen very i'll, and was now mending |
slowly. As she entered the gate. a |
carrying a tray with a
tiny covered pitcher, came out of the
house opposite. Now, the arrival of
his dainty little tray-which never
failed to come over at lunch time-wss
the event of Johnny Skeletons day, and
he contents of that altogether delight
full little pitcher formed his most en-
ioyable meal. Mrs. Bolton knocked |
oudly and walked in. as was her wont;
cut as she turned to shut the door she
saw the servant, and stopped to take
he message.
Wait minute, Jane. she said, land
ri give you back the pitcher"
NO matter. ma'am. Mrs. Truman
expects the tray to go up to Johnny as
t stands"
mo. Id rather empy the pitcher;
here is always a chance of getting
Kings broken"
So she turned into the dining-room,
md poured the contents of the pitcher
nto one of the children's thick china
Ireakfast-mug returned the pitcher
md tray to Jane, and went triumphant
Y upstairs with the mug in her hand.