Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-05-29

Every one in PennSville knew that
old Deacon Powers was eccentric, but
when he died and left his only daugh-
Ter without cent of money, people
were amazed.
why, father always had plenty Of
money" Miss LuelIa exclaimed fearful
", dozens of times, and it was so.
The deacon had been a wealthy man.
He had made money and he had money
left to him, but where did he keep 1t.
There was no will found, and there was
not a cent of money to his credit in
the local bank or IN any bank as far
rs could be learned. Miss Luella, as
his only child, would inherit every
thing, but the deacon had been dead
two years now and there was a little
8ign on the front gate which read,
Sewing neatly done"
The two years of working had been
hard ones to Miss Luella. 1t is not
pleasant to sit day after day stitching
On other peoples clothes, and working
sver so hard she could not earn much.
The cow had been parted with long ago
b pay taxes and various articles
around the house were missing, but
Miss Luella was too proud to admit
how poor she was and neighborly inter-
POurse was becoming less frequent
She was sitting busily sewing one
afternoon late in May, surrounded by
her flowers, while sleek tabby purred
comfortably on the window sill. She
opened her eyes at the sound of her
mistress voice. ''The place is SO dusty,
Tab" with a wistful look around the
BOom. 'It just looks dreadful, and yet
when 1 stop to clean up don't get
done and need the money. How 1 do
miss Dinah." And she sighed YEARLY
rs she thought of the stout colored
damsel who had taken the burden Of
housekeeping from Miss Luella's shout
aerS
81 believe I'll just run over to the
poorhouse and get Randa Jackson to
some tomorrow and clean up a bit"
Tabby left alone, stretched herself
lazily and yawned. There was always
milk In her saucer and she was con-
tented. She did not know Miss Luella
often drank her tea without milk In
order that the cat might not go hun
cry.
''Oh, Miss LuelIa, why, Randa Jack
sons gone over on the hill GO work,
and she won't be back most likely for
two weeks. But tell you, If it's just
q little cleaning around your want her
Tor, take Mary Ellen. She's not very
big. but she is real spry on her feet
and she can do what you tell her. She
has got as much sense as Randa Jack
son." with a laugh.
This was an unlind speech, for Ran
"a was a poor, half-witted creature
who made her home at the poorhouse.
but was always willing to help the
neighbors with their cleaning.
The awkward, half-grown girl In
question scowled fiercely, while a de,
liant look settled on her face Miss
Luella gazed at her dOubtfully.
"She does not seem very progresses
ing" she was beginning, but the mat
ron interrupted her. ooh, she's all
right, Miss Luella, she don't expect
any pay. You'll be surprised at what
Ehe can do. I'll send her oyer In the
morning"
The object Of this conversation went
back to her potato pairing, looking more
cullen than ever. $50 1 don't look very
prepossessing," cutting little dabs in
Ire potatoes to emphasize her thoughts
well, maybe I don't, but I would
Ike to see her IN a calico mother-hub-
bard dress to her shoe tops with her
hair cut short. l wonder If she would
look any more Iady-like than do"
But on the following day Mary FL
lens heart gave a great bound when,
after working hard all morning under
Miss, Luella's watchful eye, and then
partake of what seemed to Mary Ellen
like very frugal lunch, she was bid
den to go to the library next
TRY and get time to dust all the
books very particularly, Mary Ellen.
Father was so careful of his books
and now they are scarcely ever touch
Cd It would break his heart If he
knew how little care they get. He al
ways tended to them all himself"
Mary Ellen hurried into the library,
her face almost beaming. Books? All
her life she wanted books. Just to
Aold one "a her hands was a delight
10 her. She had passionately devoured
sTery bit Of reading matter that had
Sver come into her possession.
eff 1 only had one for my very
own" she whispered to herself almost
reverently as she took them out Of the
bookcase. There were many books
which Mary Ellen could not have IN
derstood, for the deacon was fond of
solid reading, but there were history,