The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-28

.NtllGN, dS size grew UP, tNNtipI'It |"N'
an attractive appearance that she was
dubbed The flower of Dhrimorc. Ere
yet Nancy was mature she had to 90 the
way OF the young women land young
men. too) of our Donegal seaboard-she
had to so over the mountains to hire
with the Scotch planters who owned the
big, rich farms by the valley OF the
Finn. Nancy, being Of such tender
years. so inexperienced of the world, and,
still worse possessing the fatality Of
exceptional beauty, Seu1nas and Nellie
were loath to lei her go. But. despite
little fishing and a little tiling. want
gave an occasional knock at Semmas'
door. rs ut the doors of his neighbors-
so, perforce, poor Nancy must face the
world.
With very large store of advice and
warning the only commodities her moth
or could afford to be liberal with. a very
small store OF clothes (done up in Il red
handkerchief and her fathers and
mothers blessing, Nancy took the road
with the other poor boys and girls just
before the sun began Ia rub the miSts
off his eyes and peep up over the should
or of Barnesmore mountain on a Friday
morning. and trudged 81 miles before
bedtime. and stood in the Rabble market
III E-lFaBdIt UPAl Gay AuitlIl~ LOT some
one 10 come and hire her.
Several big rough farmers and some
rougher farmers wives had come up and
viewed Nancy at every angle Of obser-
walton, quizzed, questioned and cross
questioned her. putting her through the
catechism OF her abilities and then
priced her. and haggled with her-try'iuS
TO beat her down five shillings in -"
holf- ~ n1,itf cd har o1V o
their opinion that she was too delicate
for a girls work in the Laigan (which
included wrestling with tubs and pots
of boiled roots, feeding COWS and pigs
milking. churring and butter-ma king).
Finally, an imposing old lady Of generous
girth. and evidently of higher social
status than The farmers wife, camn up.
and, raising her glasses, viewed Nancy
calmly and critically. and then trottei
her through the usual catechism. M.
Nelson, it turned ont. did not rcquir. \
pot wrestler but Il dairy maid, arG
Nancy and Nancy's price suiting her
they quickly agreed as mistress ard maid,
and Mrs Nelson's son, a bashful young
man. than whom Nancy vowed she never
before had seen any one so exquiSt is
dressed. drove them home in a buggy.
Mrs. Nelson took much pains showing
Nancy her work next morning and
when. this had been done 10 the salts
faction of both. she led Nancy to the
parlor. and sinking into an easy chair,
began TO read her hOnliiy upon the con-
dust she exracted of all females under
her roof. The bashful and nice young
man as pi'imly dressed as ever. read a
book by the window Though he
glanced at Nancy as he came in, he was
;@I,o O1s mi1Ih absorb
ga in the book to raise his eyes sec
nnd time. Two virtues eyer possessed
hy Nancy were doclity and respectful
ness. prt under Mrs. Nelson's lectlring
tongue she had much ado TO keep down
q rebelious spirit that fo2 the first time
moved within her. For, you know,
tho good Mrs Nelson tried to impress
upon her. won girls who come here from
those wild mountains have TO be taught
the proprieties necessary 10 young wo-
men. and which, / fear, are sadly left
ont in your bringing up. Nancy hush-
ed. Your parents, it seems to me, dear.
allow YOU TO grow wild. with the result
that YOU come over the mountains into
our country so hoydeIrish that it takes
much Of our time and trouble to clvilze
YOU. and to teach you Christian-like
conduct Here Nancy gave her head
a most indignant little toss, winch was
quite lost upon her mentor. who was
either so absorbed with her own dis
course that she didn't see it. or else,
seeing it. took it as a matter Of course.
And now. one thing in particular l
want TO impress on you Is 10 warn you
against giving our Tommy any enco'if-
agement." Nancy looked at Mrs Neh-
son in amaZemen. Tommy is my cid
Est boy-and sadly differs from Alex
ander here, Indicating the young man
who read--and who blushed in response
ia the implied mphment-- sadly diff
ferent. I'm sorry to say. from Alexander
Tommy is harumrscartlm. of whom
we never could make anything, for he
couldn't he got to mind his books. Tom
nv will go to the other side of the par
ish after a pretty face, and the only OBJ
lection | can find with you Is that I'm
positive you went be with me ~ hours
ill that boys counting you." With her
hands under her apron Nancy dropped
a sarcastic courtesy, and said, Il nj
sure I'm very thankful to We. ma am.
Now. mind, You give that hoy no en-
couragement Ny hearts night broken
with him." and she gave Il faint sigh
land. indeed but that l have the com
fort and consolation of possessing my
own wise, good Alexander, l think it
would be quite broken long ago. Now.
you have got your warming dear.
Nancy dropped naughty courtesy. ana
mind you keep that boy at arms length;
for emphatically, I'll not tolerate my
servant girls counting with my SON.
Nancy tossed her head again, and
flashed look at Mrs. Nelson. She
felt that she would like to deliver herslt
Of a piece of her mind, but poor Nancy
likewise felt that if she spoke she would
say something hot and hasty. for which
she would certainly be sorry afterwaTd.
So wisely she restrained herself. A hot
blush overspread her cheeks. she thank
ed her mistress bitterly, and whiSkcd
from her TWesence.
'Heigho." Nancy sighed as she
scrubbed big plunge churn in the dairy
on the say day.
''Hegho.' was echoed back. as from
breast weighted with trouble.
Nancy. startled, looked up. and bcheld
rakish. dashinG fellow seated on ono
af the milk crooks which stood on the