The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-08-13
"BETTY"-A REMINIsCENCE.

and looked at me, as if challenging me to contra
dict her. But, as | shared the good wOman's opin-
ioa merely nodded my head in acquiescence.
II have known her thirty-fve years-ever
since | took over the house and the dodgers after
Tim Doolan's death. And she has been living in
her little attic all that time going her wav peace
ably and decently; neither arguing nor rowing nor
making mischief, but living to herself quiet and
re,rectable; giving a helping hand and a comfort
ing word and often the bit she had to eat to them
that wanted; sitting up of nights with sick and
sorr6w-laden families that hadn't as much as a
cup Of hot tea to offer her. Talk to me Of good
vomen-I never lznewn or met the like of Betty"
She was little old woman who made her living
as a street merchant or, as we say here in Ire
land "a basket woman" In the doorway of a shut
up house, her basket set out on a small stool
that fitted into the aperture perfectly; and near
it was another stool on which she sat all day ex-
cept when selling her wares when she was walk
ing up and down on the fagstone to warm her feet.
that often, particularly in the winter time, must
have been anything but comfortable
Her goods consisted of song books aces pins
needeeases, Scapulars, rosary beads, and hair
combs Occasionally she sold ballads-for in
stance, on fair days, when the country BOYS and
girls hocked into the town. And then also her
wares were supplemented by "fungs" and scarf
pins with gold" rings and earrings, and such like
was very small child when first met Betty
had been sent into the town from the country bv
My parents, to stop with an old lady, relation and
attend the convent school there, with my sister
Ii was not a happy time, and the memory is not
pleasant; will pass over everything but nv recol-
iectons of our Betty. There was a large, comfort
able underground, or basement kitchen attached
to the house where were staying; and often In
the long winter evenings we children spent an hour
or two there with Ellen the housekeeper. Sitting
at her bright fire. we listened to all the wonderful
things she had seen and we made the acquaintance
Of Betty.
She came down the area steps one evening when
il was quite dark q remember it was in winter for
the Angelus had just rung) and, with "God save
all here." opened the kitchen door and entered
She a small woman, with rosy cheeks and kindly
gray eyes, and hair nearly white, banded away at
each side Of her face under knitted cap, over
which was tied a black silk ribbon. She was en-
7eIoped in a cloth cloak Cat one time black, now
green and a quilted hood fastened with button
under her chin.
God save you'll Where have you been this long
time Z" answered Ellen.
Along with that poor creature / was telling
you about" she said She's gone now, and I've
turned up again like bad penny
Dead, is shel"
"Ay, poor thing the light of heaven to her! Are
these the little missiles z"
We "little missiles" were introduced to her. and
looked at her with wondering admiration while
she removed her hood and cloak and hung them up
on hook behind the door, inquiring meantime for
"the mistress" and remarking on the weather For
q long time she sat in the old wooden armchair,
talking to Ellen Of things we did not understand.
Then when she was rested and warm she got up
and removed a covered plate from the back of the
open fireplace. to a small table on one side; and
my curiosity was at length satisfied, for had been
for a long time wondering what was ridden away
that cover.
It was Betty's dinner of meat and vegetables,
saved mr., her a11d Kent warm through Ellens
thoughtful kindness And night after night all
through that winter it was the same; for as often
as went to old Elen's sanctum, so often
the little snack" for Betty odorous and hot wait
ing for the humble guest.
When at length the repast had been cleared
away, Betty put on pair Of horn-rimmed glasses
that made her look like an owl; and, while we
watched her, entranced, she took down from
shelf the wall two books-one, a well-worn |
prayerbook with the leaves all lose and kept to-
gether by a string; the other, a much-read copy of
The Lily Of Israel"
Now reading was a passion with me from the |
time could spell the words; and, while Betty was
leep in the prayer-book, crossing herself and muir
nurug audiby, ! timidy approached and opened
he other book. The print was large, and the story
# Our Ladys life enchanting It held me spell
bound Tor over an hour. 1t only loud snore
'ehnd me that at length brought me back to my /
surroundings, to ind Ellen fast asleep III her chair,
'I4 nF sister looking "daggers at me from her
ow seat by the fire.
Old Betty took off her glasses them and drew
ler chair closer, and talked in low tone to us
1lilrea 50 as not to waken Ellen-"for the crea-
are Is tired" the old woman whispered. Such
7ondo~1gI tales Of fairies and eprechauns and en-
haated eastles as she told us! We never felt the
line passing until little bell called us upstairs
2 say the Rosary
Next morning / asked Ellen who was Betty.
~el'. H., +bo+ in |
Inner and rest by the fire every night" she an
Tered The mistress knows her long time and
IKE, to BE kind to her. Oh but she's rare one
0r tIIo prayers Never misses her Mass IN the
morning and is at the rails every Sunday OF her
de-a kind Of a saint, you know"
To Be "a kind of a saint" was something did
ot fully understand; but l said nothing then, only
AoaFlt the more
After that first night Betty and became great
nends She lent me her precious copy Of "Ihe
dE' and brought nc all the little Lives OF the
alnts She had in stock in her basket; and one