The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-11-03
TWO DEAR OLD LADIES


made wedding gowns for young wom-
en Of her orn age in her youth. ana
she went on making dainty baby
things fer the children OF the brides,
and later. debutanfe gowns and we'd
ding dresses for these same zi....s.en.
Always CHEEKY, always interested
never seeming 10 miss the Joy OF life
that came not 10 heF. quiet content 20
know all things vlcarlOusly. she vas
an Institution in many homes. where
Miss Mary's days we're as much
part Of the household regime as the
weekly sweeping days.
Miss Maggie was not strong. That
vas the way she aud Miss Mary talk
T ed Of he half inraNdism that made
Miss Maggie unable 10 partake in Miss
Marys iab0rs. But that lack OF
strength did net prevent Miss Maggie
Z from doing many things which red
checked girls with bounding blood IN
their veins could net have done A
certain wealthy woman. one Of Miss
Marys patrons. contributed a small
amount 10 the support Of the home
each month, in addition TO her pay
ments for Miss Mays labor, and the
two lived comfortably. and attained a
reputation for charitable works.
Was there a bazar in the little
chruch? Miss Marys neeslewcrk was
sure to FIJI the table and Miss Mag
gies cakes were sure 10 be the most
delicious and tae first sold. Did a
beggar come to the door7 There was
always food. clothing and a word OF
cheer for him. The clothing On,
yes Miss Maggie had no pride or SEM
blance thereof She went quite as
matter OF course. TO richer house
holds and begged frankly for castof
clothing for her poor people, and she
lot 1t and gave Il, with a kindly IN
junction. bit OF encouragement or
quoted text, as need seemed TO de-
mand. II it be trus that vagrants
have their code carved and chaiked
on doors and gates, certainly the gate
Of their tiny yard must have been cut
to pieces or marked beyond need OF
paint.
But peaceful years brought a grief
to these two. The pastor OF their
church. beloved OF them for 20 years,
died, and his widow moved elsewhere.
Replacing him, finally, after trials,
came the Rev. James Martin, elderly,
and. strange to say, bachelor, for
a wife is more than wife TO a min
lister. She is a necessity OF life, a
thing taken for granted. No one could
eurmise why the Rev Martin had new
er married, thoaeh many tried. His
kindly manner, his gentle helplessness
In Things material and dis deeply spir-
itual sermons quite won the hearts OF
the flock. and more brilliant aspirants
were forgotten ia the general demand
for the gentle little man who taught
such sweetly comforting doctrines
The Rev. Martin took up his abode
in TIE parsonage and found a house
keeper. But somehow, the housekeep-
er. though jealous. and quite proud
of her position. seemed to omit many
OF the little attentions that naturally
belonged to one ministering to the
needs af a man Of God. There was
d certain shabbiness about the at
tire of the devout preacher, a certain
gauntness of cbeek and whiteness of
slender hand that made these two
maiden ladies. especially, ache for his
welfare. They entered into council,
appealed to the heads OF the church.
and finally it was arranged that the
parsonage should be let, and the min
lister should live with Miss Mary and
Miss Maggie.
Here the little front parlor became
his study, past the door of which Miss
Maggie tiptoed. finger on lip, when the
doorbell rang. Nourished by Miss
Maggie's delicious tidbits, his clothes
kept in Immaculate order by Miss
Mary's careful fingers, the pastor be
came plumper, and developed tend
ency toward the making of mild jokes
His improved garb seemed to give an
assurance he had lacked before, and
his sermons became not only consol-
alton for the elders and the weary, but
inspiration for the young and glow
ing. Miss Mary sang over her work
Like a canary, and Miss Maggies Sc
we're garb became frilly at neck and
wrists and enliyened by bows of coli
ored ribbon. They bought flowers
and real magazines, went to picture
shows together now and .hen, and
laughed together like young school
girls over their household tasks.
One day Miss Mary was fitting a
froth of lace and silk over bride-to-
be. The bride. before the glass, look
ed at herself. and then at the little
brown lady before her, on her knees
The contrast woke something new in
the girls heart and she leaned over
and kissed Miss Mary's softly
wrinkled cheek.
Miss Mary looked up, startled for
an instant. and then comprehend
ing.
Il know just how you feel. dear
bless your hearti I hope you'll be as
happy as we are always"
The little bride looked her wonder.
r.n1.