Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-07-17
A SINNER UNREPENT.
KERR.
BY SOPHIE GATES KERR.

/ IL WdS hIS. IluieS COullS up lus
walk.
81 will, Mis- Ridley. Come in and
set down. There's a pam leaf on the
lounge. an mebbe you'll take glass
of cool water. It's a scorchin' morn
ing" said Miss Phemey.
Il would like drink, thank you" "
responded Mrs. Ridley. Seems like
when anybody's fat as l am, they just
get he't' up like g coal stove. My, that
tastes good. You got grand well,
Miss Phemey."
The hostess smiled flattered smile,
but before she could speak Mrs. Ridley
went on: Il brought over three of Mr..
Ridley's vests, Miss Phemey, to get
! you to mend 'em. He's busted 'em
ever one right down the back, f'r all
the world like seven-year locust,
! tell i'm, ant seems like | got no time
TO fix 'em, with Emma May gittin'
married next week. We're just livin'
in regular whirlwind, an sorry as
I'll be to see Emma May go-not that
l don't like Charlie Foote, but you
know what mean-I cert'ney shall be
glad when all this fuss is over"
Il expect it is trying" sympathized
Miss Phemey But Emma Mays al
ways been a good daughter, an she
deserves a fine weddin'."
'Tain't that | don't want her to
have it," said Mrs. Ridley, hastily
But I'm just dog-tired this mornin-
for the land sakes, it's half-past ten
o'clock already; | got to 60 You
bring them vests over when they're
done, Miss Phemey, an I'll pay you
f'r 'em. I'd send one O. the boys over,
but Emma May wants you to come
particular an see her presents, so til
be KILN two birds with one stone"
She chuckled comfortably as she
stepped outside the door.
Miss Phemey looked after her de-
parting form with resentful stare.
Yes" she muttered, 'she can get
Miss Maxwell to make Emma Mays
weddin' clothes, but Pm good enough
to mend up Jim Ridley's old vests. I'll
charge her 10 cents apiece, see f |
don't: thatll be 40 cents. Does seem
a good bit to charge fr mendin' three
vests"
Miss Phemey went in and shut out
the glare of the summer day. AS she
picked up the package of vests her
thin little hands trembled. Tears
sprang to her eyes and she burst out
fiercely: "'Tain't right! l made Emma
May Ridley's dresss to be christened
in, little teenty baby as she was, an
made her a dress to be confirmed in,
an | made her dress when sha
gragwated at the high school, an she'd
always said | should make her we'd
din dress. That fauptia' city things
se& all ny trade! I've seRal Nero all
sfJ H.: sE4 s7ss.lt te'Esat By ell, AZ its
not fair" The tears rolled down her
withered cheeks and fell unheeded
upon Mr.. Ridleys second best pepper
and-salt vest. Presently her wrath
famed anew.
Emma May wants you to come per-
t.ckler to see her presents! 'Tain't no
hint; oh, no? Sally Ridley needn't
"a troubled herself to say that. got
present for Emma May, an I'm going
to give it to her. I'd like to get even
with them, the whole kit of 'em. Jest
as if couldn't "a made Emma Mays
weddin' clos. They tell me Miss Max
well uses a chain-stitch machine.
always did say chainstitch machines
was made for the careless, an l don't
see no reason to change my mind.
Well, pom my word, this vest aiut
on'y busted, but frayed int the bar
gain" Miss Phemey fell briskly to
sewing
The next day, despite the threaten
ing rumble of a distant storm, Miss
Phemey dressed in her best and started
toward the Ridleys carrying two pack
ages. She was graciously received by
Emma May, a fat, fair girl of pleas
ant mien and placid disposition.
Il brought home them vests" ex-
planned Miss Phemey; and here, En-
ma May, is little present l brought
for you. It'll be nice fr your dining
room table, l thought" She held out
a small white pasteboard box, with an
expression of the heaping-coalsof of-fre
kind.
Ma, Cdlleu EIlInd may, SOlliC
here; Miss Phemey's brought rue a
butter knife; Wisht you'd look. That
cert'ney is beautiful"
Its solid silver" said the donor,
proudly. My neice down to New
York got it for me-" She received the
thanks, delivered n trifle embarrass
edly, of mother and daughter, with
polite GOODNESS.
When the bride-elect invited her to
an inspection Of the presents, Miss
Phemey looked them over and
made few comments. She turned the
set Of silver spoons, presented by the
groom's parents" so that the plate
mark was visible, and she tapped the
globe of a gaudy china lamp with the
remark that they were just $2.35 cents
down to Beedham's When she had
looke2 at all, she said, cheerfully:
"Now l want to see your clothes,
Emma May"
Mrs. and Miss Ridley exchanged
glances of annoyance, but the latter