The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-22
All Wrong.
By Clara Augusta.
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rejoices in the old-fashioned cogno-
men OF Hannah.
Last summer a friend OF mine, en-
thusiastic. and just out Of college,
went to Laneville to rusticate, and
visit bachelor uncle. He came home
in raptures with Laneville, but more
partic,: ,:larly in raptures with one Bes-
sic Blake, q resident Of that f-rtu-
nate town.
My mother, being of an inquiring
disposition. questioned young Gurley
in regard to this particular Bessie,
and learned that she was the daugh-
ter of Moses Blake, ard Moses
Blake's wife was a third cousin to
my mothers uncle's wi.,s brother
in-lav. So we were quite closely re-
lated. My mother had once known
Mrs. Blake, and Moses was man of
wealth. Bessie was his daughter.
Here was m ope-ing!
My mother ought to have been a
president, or prime minister, she
was such sharp one at planning,
and before m',py days she had decid-
ed that 1 was out of health, and need
ed country ar. She wrote an affec-
tionate letter to Mrs. Blake, stating
the affecting circumstances, dwelling
or her anxiety for her only son, and
asking that early friend if she would
no. receive tie invalid into her fam
lily for a few weeks.
IN due time letter arrived, say
inc that I should be welcome to the
domicile OF the Biakes.
"Dcary me-" said my mother, ad-
listing her spectacles to get a more
accurate v.ew, "it seems to me that
Betsey Ann Blake has neglected her
spelling dreadfully. Why, scarcely a
single wor' is correctly spelled, and
Eetsey Ana used to be good schol-
ar!"
1t was decided on the spot that
should go to Lanesyille and recuper-
ate
My wardrobe was soon put in
order, and 1 set forth for the home
or BESSIE BAKE.
BE very careful. Philip" said my
mother, at parting, and keep on the
right side of old Mr.. Blake. He's an
odd stick, if rem member, and can't
bear to be crossed. And, recollect,
my son, that he is worth fifty thou
5and, and Bessie is all he's got"
Perhaps you were never in Lane
vile? If -ot, then, Of course, you
do not know th:t IL the houses are
as much alike as the pess in a bushel
bag full of peas, and the man who
could tell one house from another
would be genius.
The village is surrounded by brick
yards, and the LaneTillites believe
In encouraging home industry, so
I'll the houses are brick. There is a
patent roofing factory in the place;
and so, for the same reason cited
above, all the houses are patent
rooted. Green paper window shades
are manufactured here, and of course
all the shades are green paper.
1t was nearly dark when 1 arrived
at Lanevill,, and it rained. l; al
ways does when anybody goes any
where
I inquired for Mr.. Blake's, an. a
small boy agreed to pilot me thither
TO: ten cents. How the little wretch
managed to single out this house
from all the other houses just like
it | do not know; but seeing the
name Blake s. large letters on the
door-piate, I gave him his hard
earned pittance and rang the bell.
They were delighted to see me, had
been expecting me for month, old
Blake said, and remembering thct he
did not like to be crossed I refrained
from contradicting him, though I
knew well enough. that my mother
had written them only fortnight
before.
was shown into the parlor and
the presence of Bessie.
This is my daughter" said old
Blake, indifferently enough, as if
sucn angels as Bessie Blake were too
tice. And l felt that if my panta-
Icons were not new, and l was sure
the carpet had been swept that -ay,
it would be happiness to kneel down
at her feet--and--well, I didn't ex-
actly know what.
Mrs. Blake was fat old lady, and
she was knitting gray stocking.
Sweet domestic employment.
l shook hands all round, and sat
down on the sofa beside Bessie. The
first chance I got, l squeezed her
hand, and received an enchanting
smile by way of encouragement
Mr.. Blake got out his spectacles,
wiped them, and put them straddle
of his nose. Then he Strengthened
back in his .hai: and took a good
look at me.
Hum" said ne. 'Tollerble tall
and we'll built! Six teet, amt ye?"
] assented, knowing that he did
not like to be crossed, but I am only
five feet six.
II used 20 be six feet two myself"
said he; that was when l was young.
A hefty man, too. Takes after his
father - eh, Martha?' nodding to
his wife. All that tribe was tall.
Got a nose like his grandfather s.
no. let me see; it's more like his
grandmother's. There's a great deal
in noses-eh, Martha?"
Yes said Martha, absently,
counting her stitches, especially