The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-04-04


''Iye heard Mis- Bray speak o mar
cissus," said a woman refectively.
''she that was the florists wife. you
know. An, come to think, she's likely
master hand at this decoratin' bust
ness. She has spoke o SEEM big city
churches filed with flowers
Mis- Bray-ain't she deadT' ques-
toned another Il amt heard her
name afore in years But there. /
know she amt. I'd a seen the MOTTO.
in the Articulator"
who is Mrs. Bray, and where is sh /
TO he found?" asked the minister quick
ly. Perhaps she can help nc out
with this. Curious | have not heard
of her before
'Oh, don't know" dryly: folks sort
o die away from the world after they
enter a poorhouse. Mis- Bray's hus-
band was for gettin' on. 80 he went
to the city an learned the florists
trade. For a time he done we'll: then
his business broke, an he died. an hi
wife came back here an lived up what
little she had. After that there was
nothin' but the poorhouse. Now. I've
always held a poorhouse was stronger
than Il grave for hidin' folks
well. we will find her" eagerly.
Perhaps she viii be able to give us
some assistance or advice Will you
go with me, Mrs. Perry?'
The woman hesitated a little. thel
threw back her head with sudden de
cision
Why. yes, l don't mind if | do
Cynthia Bray was as much of Il lady
as anybody round. an | don't know as
a poorhouSc is the worst thing in the
world. Still, while it want her fault
goin' there. it's hardly to be expected
folks will keep Oh visitin' Just the
same as though she was in some other
place"
The next afternoon the minister
blackboard paused in front of the poor
house and he and Mrs. Perry alighted
Several men and boys We're slouching
about the yard, and OH bench near
the door were four or five old women.
Mrs. Perry looked them over critically
Not there" she declared cOncisely
Cynthia wouldn't grow to look like
them Wen 20 in
In answer to their knock a harsh
featured woman came 70 the door. 4
ring of keys danglel from her waist.
Mis- Bray" she repeated in answer
to their question. oh. Aunt cynthia
we call her. No. she amt here; she's
much work from the paupers as we
can. Most of them are lazy an no
count. but now an then We I'm good
worker. Aunt Cynthia's one. so we
keep her in the kitchen. She scasely
ever gifts TO this side q the house.
don't s'pose she's really had visitor
afore in five years. Won't You come
inT'
They entered. and after Il long and
detailed account of her trials with the
pauperS the woman went through Il
door toward the back part of the
house. Another five minutes passed
then little old woman with bright
deprecatory manner stole softly into
the room.
"Did-did you wish 10 see me-" she
asked tremulously and a little wonder
ingly.
Mrs. Perry sprang forward in quick
forgetfulness of the unreasonable dis
lance which lay between her social pc.
sition and the poorhouse.
why, you poor soul!' she cried sym
pathetlcaliy. How old you've grown,
My hair amt begun TO turn yet, an
here your'n is perfectly white. an still
I believe I'm two months the Oldest
ITS been long time since You and
l were young. deary." answered the
old woman gently. such weary
time, 1t seems as Il my hair was al
ways white" Then she colored with
sudden remembrance and drew herself
up stiffly.
rs there anything you wanted me
for, Mrs. Perry-anything | can do for
you?" she asked
Come, Cynthia. don't talk that
way" demonstrated Mrs Perry. You
know farmers wives are always work
in, an'-an' it's good piece from our
place to tho
"Poorhouse," said the old woman
calmly.
We'll. yes, poorhouSe." deprecating
~. An, besides. folks give up old
customs as they git on in years. l
don't call anywhere as much as | used
to. But never mind that" briskly.
Pm calm today, an I've brung the
minister. DO you know him."
Il don't think I've had the pleasure
Of meeting Mrs. Bray before" said the
minister, rising. land yet have call
ed here several times
mo, we haven't met" acquiesced the
old woman. Il generally stay in the
kitchen"
He held her hand for moment.
Il must acknowledge this visit Is
mostly business one, Mrs. Bray" he
Gaid, resuming his seat You see,
am planning to have the church deco
rated for Easter, but the ladies of my
congregation. including Mrs. Perry
here, assure me that such a thing is
utterly impossible-in short. that they
cannot undertake the work and that
there are no flowers to undertake 1t
with. l have come to you as last re
sort. Can you help me"
The old woman WIN had NOT hod n