Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-05-28

4.
dow pane. In terror Mary clung to Mr.
knight, and whispered, as she pointed
toward the figure, which was now laugh
ing hideously: .'What is it? Are there
many such hereY'
Don't be afeerd," said Mr.. Knight;
that's nobody but foolish Patsy; she
never hurt anybody in her life. Come,
now, let me show you to the overseer."
And he led her toward the red-whisker-
ed man, who stood in the door.
Here, Parker" said he, "Ive brought
them children was tellin' you about
You've room for 'em, l s'pose?''
why, ye-es, we can work it SOS to
make room.'
They now entered the kitchen Mary
was very tired with holding Alice SO
long, and, sinking into a chair near the
window, she would have cried; but there
was tightness in her throat, and pres
sure about her, head and eyes which kept
the tears from flowing. She pressed her
hands tightly and said, .tOh, hope L
shan't faint
ITO be sure you won't" said loud,
harsh voice, and instantly large drops of
water were thrown in her face, while
have such spells often, hope, for Lord
knows l don't want any more fifty ones
here"
No, ,ma'am," said Mary, meekly; and
looking up, she saw before her a tail,
square-baeked, masculine looking wom-
an, who wore very short dress, and a
very high-crowned cap, fastened under
her chin with bows Of sky-blue ribbon.
Mary secretly hoped she would not prove
to be Mrs. Parker, the wife of the over
seer. She was soon relieved of her fears
by the overseer himself, who said, 'Polly,
don't see any other way but you'll have
to take these children into the room next
to .yourn. The baby worries good deal,
and such things trouble my wife, now
she's sick"
The person addressed as polly gave
her shoulders an angry jerk, and stick
ing the pin on the waist of her dress,
replied, 80, I s'pose it's no matter if
I'm kept awake all night, and worried
to death. But / guess you'd find there'd
be queer doin's here if should be taken
away. wish the British would stay to
hum, and not lug their young ones here
for us to take care Of. Come, child, l
will show you where you are going to
sleep;" at the same time she caught up
Alice, who, not liking her handling, kick
ed SO vigorously that she was soon drop
ped, Polly remarking that '.she was
mighty strong in her legs for sick
baby"
After passing up a dark stairway they
came % door, which opened under the
garret stairs, and Mary was startled by
a voice which seemed to be almost over
her head. and which, between sneer
and hiss, called out, "See where the
immaculate Miss Grundy comesv' Mary
sprang in terror to Polly's side
.:Oh, what is it?" she said .Is it
Patsy ~
Patsy" was the. tart reply. She nev-
er is saucy like that. It's Sal Furbush.
Mary asked who Sal Furbush was,
and was, told she was one of the poor
insane inmates. She subsequently, learn
ed that Sal was perfectly harmless, and
struck up quite friendship with her.
At present Mary followed her guide until
they came to a longer and lighter hall.
or ''spaceway,' as it is frequently called
in New England. On each side of this
there were doors opening into small Sleep
ing rooms, and into one of these Polly
led her companion, saying, as she did so.
This is your room. and it's a great fa-
vor to you to be SO near me. But mind
that child mustn't cry and keep me
awake nights, for if she does, maybe
you'll have to move into that other space,
where we heard the laugh"
Mary thought she would rather do any
thing than that. She also felt a great
curiosity to know who her companion
was, SO she at last ventured to ask, DO
you live here, Miss Polly ~
why, yes, I'm staying here for a
spell now; kind of seeing things. NV
name isn't Polly. It's Mary Grundy. ana
me Polly, but it'll look more mannerly
in you to call me Mrs Grundy; but what
am / thinking of? The folks must have
their supper"
That night Alice, who missed her cra-
die, was unusually restless, and Mary,
remembering Mrs. Grundy's threat, car
ried her in her arms until after midnight.
Then, without undressing, she threw her
self upon the bed, and for the first time
in many weeks dreamed of George and
his parting promise to see her again. The
next morning when she awole, the clouds
were pouring rain. BILLY won't come
to-day" was her first thought, and,
throwing herself upon the floor, she burst
into tears, wishing, as she had once
done before, that she had died with her
mother.
In the midst of her grief the door was
pushed hastily open, and Mrs. Grundy's s
harsh voice exclaimed, "Wall, so you are
up at last, hey? | didn't know but you