The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-03
Tirzah'S Chimney
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r M Tirzah Hitchcock to be-
Zla--M come the second Mrs.
@ Green she had tartly re-
lsed the honor. Il amt much Of a
eauty," she had told him, "but 10
armed-over affection fur me, thank
bu, Solomon Green"
Solomon had reasoned all in vain.
why, Tirzah," he pleaded, sit amt
ways natural fur wimmen to live
one. Every mornir.' your chimbly
i the first thing I look at, an il I
fasn't to see the smoke a comm out
it, I'd be scared to death thinkin'
bu was robbed, or killed or sunthin'.
whats the use in US keepin' up
no houses when one would do jest as
fell?"
Since that time the two had hardly
Echanged a dozen words. Solomon
hd not married, neither had TirZah.
nd now on the night before her for
eth birthday she sat looking around
Ter orderly little home with the most
isolate feeling at her heart she had
hown for years.
3To-morrow would be her birthday.
Mechanically she had gone through a
ew preparations for that rather du-
&ous festival. The smallest hen from
Ter flock was curled up ready for
basting inside the same pan in which
er hens had been roasted for the last
fteen years. A green apple pie sat
b the pantry shelf beside a SOUL cream
bice cake, while a plate of mealy tarts
Fas waiting patiently the filling Of
rape jelly to be theirs on the NOR
bw.
Never before, at that season Of the
ear. had Tirzah's hens been laying
b well.
Her COW had never been known to
live so large a yield of milk. There
kere three new kittens in the basket
ehind the kitchen stove, and her
hnary bird was the loudest singer in
tll the village. But for all this Tirzah
Fas not satisfied.
She had heard that day that the wild
wed cousin who usually kept house
pr Solomon Green had unexpectedly
barried.
OF course this was nothing to Tirzah,
ut Still-here she shifted two or three
ines, and then, without a particle of
%xplanation to the aStonished cat, who
lad come forth demanding her allow
nee Of milk, sat down in her cane
eated rocker and burst out crying.
For five minutes she cried, and then
|he dropped her apron and looked
uiltily about.
A thought had just intruded itself
3pon her which she considered in the
}ght of a secret crime. Over and over
gain, despite herself, she rehearsed
olomon's proposal; each word as it
lad been spoken. until, suddenly, like
1he handwriting upon the wall, there
food forth these words: Every morn
hg your chimbly is the first thing I
box at
i Had he meant it? Did he still turn
is eyes with the coming of morning
light down the little hill which lay
between them? Did her lonely chin
ley still claim his thoughtful care?
Five minutes later the dark plot
Eas formed and Miss Tirzah was hur-
lying about her preparations for the
light with cheeks that burned with
fres she had thought long since gone
let forever.
Tile following morning more aston
Shed creatures there could not be than
Fere the kittens, cat, cow, hens and
anary Of Miss Tirzah Hitchcock.
Something certainly had gone wrong.
\ Six o'clock came, and the stable
toor was not opened by the brisk mis-.
,ress. Half-past six, and still no fire
b the kitchen stove. Seven o'clock
! nd no breakfast yet for the mistress
md her indignant dependents.
I Loud and angry rose the protest of
Brindle from her snug stall, while the
I'D cat and canary did their best to
tir things up inside.
Meanwhile, hidden by the parlor
curtains, crouched Miss Tirzah, wrap
bed in a huge red and green shawl,
Der heart luttering between shame and
bread, while her eyes watched with