Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-18
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:. y VILLAGE ALIEN
IS IS Copyright, 1908, by
The Century Company
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Mrs. Pembroke to Mrs. Kitchens
across the way, hurrying out to the
front gate while her breakfast was be-
ing put on the table. ''The town came
within an ace of burning to the ground,
lock, stock and barrel, last night. Jane
McGrath's house was afire, and old
Blossy-Mr. Blossy, reckon feel like
calling him today-put it out, and he
got burnt mighty bad Old Ant 'Cindy
came over hours ago to fetch Mary
Bell to come help Jane fix him. They
amt got no idea how 1t caught. The
children, Ant 'Cindy's grandchildren,
and little Janey had been piling up
some rubbish 'gainst the wall, making
playhouse, and that was where the
fire begun. You never can tell what
children are up to. Like rs not they'd
been trying to roast corn or something.
There was right smart south wind
blowing early, and If Jane's house had
got fairly caught No; 'Cindy said
they. didn't think Blossy was burnt
dangerous. Yes; you're right. He is
lucky to be in James hands. Jane amt
smart, but she's mighty clever. It's n
wonder didn't see the whole thing.
was up and down all over the house
most of the night, and l heard that
poor thing scraping and bomming OH
that there big fiddle of his all over the
town. Yes; it was kind of company,
but lay down bout daybreak and got
to smoothing after while. Mary and lit
tie Mary stayed mighty still. i never
| 4, nd a
o'clock, but Mary says she never slept
| two hours. But, l tell you, a man
never has the wife that II worry over
him like his mother, / feel like I'll
walk to Tullahoma myself today If
can't find out something bout Jimmy
any other way" And Miss Catherine
wiped her eyes as she turned toward
the house, calling. yes; I'm coming"
In answer to second shrlll warning
that breakfast was waiting and leav-
ing Mrs. kitchens still struggling to
get in her account Of how she spent
the night.
This was about as much impression
as the incident of the fire made any
where-the town had come near burn
ing down, but it hadn't. Ola blossy
had saved it. There was something a
little embarrassing about this. 1t made
the usual tone about him seem just at
the time ungracious. Yet what other
tone was there to take.
Anyhow Jane McGrath was taking
care of him, and If she wanted help
she knew where to ask for it, and
when were the men coming home from
| Tullahoma, and how were things with
them?
| Yes; it was well for Blossier that it
was Jane NIcGrath's house he had
saved; it was well that it was on her,
and not another, fell most directly the
| debt of gratitude which the whole vii
lage:owed him, but which the village
was too stupid and insensible, too pre-
occupied and too selfish, to realize and
acknowledge. Jane McGrath was ac-
counted in Strathboro particularly
dull woman. Strathboro cared a good
deal for what it called smartness and
1 carefully classified all examples there
of as either bright or deep, but Jane
McGrath, whom they had known all
her life, was, as was well known, not
smart, neither bright nor deep, though
she was clever-that is, good natured
kindly, easy to get on with. Jane was
more than good natured; she was good
good with that positive quality Of
character that cheapens everything
else in this world by comparison-ant
she was the furthest thing in the worlt
from fool; she was wise woman.
One day as Blossier, his swathet
! hands on a pillow before him, sat In
big wooden rocking chair in wide
dim, breezy hall, sunshiny outdoor
before and behind him, it occurred t
him that he was getting well too fas
! Janey, according to orders. was play
ing on the gallery within sound OF hi
voice, so that he could call her If h
wanted anything-not that Blossie
had been known to want anythin
since he had been in the house.
/ Ant 'Cindy's voice, softened by II
distance to the kitchen, rose and fe
l on the pleasant air in religious fervo
and upstairs Jane McGrath's footsteI
could be heard. The men had all con
} back from Tullahoma a week befor
but Andy McGrath was not amor
them. He had been in the field yea
and two more We're to elapse before
J should return. Jane felt that the e
{ tire weight of their debt to Blossi
deyolyed for the time upon her.
= Janey's moon face appeared at t
} door. She felt it incumbent on her
\ come and look ut her charge occasio
[ ally. Then, seized with sudden il
y pulse, she clambered down the stel
disappeared and in moment was
= boriously climbing back again with
very big marigold in her hand. S
y trotted to Blossier, her bare feet soft
n patting the bare floor, started to hold
y out to him, remembered the swath
hands and held it up, tiptoeing, to
y nose. Flowers were to be smelled
~ Janey's creed without petty distinctio
u as to odors.
"Merci," smiled Blossier as she 10
2 the happy yellow thing on his pillow
~ lap. "Ne compreneZ-vous pas? Non
1 The child stood looking in his fa
IS grave and silent, ready to see what Il
p odd creature would do next.
" Jane had come down the stairs a
u was standing looking on. At the SUI
4 moment, then and there, she and Bl
q sier each became possessed of an ide;
~ small ones, to be sure, but destined
" become pregnant.
4 Blossier's blinking little lashless ey
2 the lashes had been white so their ,
~ sence made no great difference in
Il appearance) were fixed on the curl re
y that tied up Janey's straight bro
- locks. Jane herself was simple, pl'
~ body, not given to considering the de
AZ rative side Of life, but she did sor'
= want curly hair for her child. Bl
= sier's mind reverted to hairdres
~ he had once known in New Orlea
If he only had such pair of tongs
- that man used, he was sure he cou
n when his hands got well, curl Jane
~ hair to marvel. And how pleasan,