The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1913-11-20
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Two DEAR OLD LADIES
sx I. M'MAHoN.

Miss Mary Henley and Miss Magic
Brown were two dear old ladies Whs3
lived together in . tiny house ct the
edge Of the city. Miss Mary had
made wedding gowns for young WON
en- Of her own age in her youth, and
she wlnt on making dainty baby.
things tor the children S0f the brides,
and later, debutante gowns. and wed.
ding dresses for these Same children.
Always CHEEKY. always interested,
never seeming to miss the Joy Of life
that came not to her, quiet content to
know Ill things vicariously, she was
an institution In many homes, where
Miss Mays days" were az much Z
part Of the household regime - the
weekly sweeping days.
Miss Maggie was mot strong" That
was the way she and Miss Mary talk.
ed Of the half invalidism that made
Miss Maggie unable to partake in Miss
Mary's labors. But that lack Of
strength did not prevent Miss Maggie
from doing many things which red.
checked girls with bounding blood in
their veins could not have done. A
certain wealthy woman. one Of Miss
Mary's patrons, contributed . small
amount to the support of the home
each month, in addition to her pay.
ments for Miss Mary's labor, and the
two lived comfortably, and attained .
reputation for charitable works.
Was there q bazar in the little
chruch? Miss Mary's needlework was
sure to fill the table and Miss Mag.
gie's cakes were sure to be the most
delicious and the first sold. Did
beggar come to the door? There was
always food. clothing and word Of
cheer for him. The clothing? oh,
yes! Miss Maggie had no pride or sem.
blance thereof. She went, quite AZ
matter Of course. to richer house
holds and begged frankly for CASTOR
clothing for her poor people" and che
got It and gave It, with a kindly in
junction. a bit Of encouragement or q
quoted text, as need seemed to de-
pand. II 1t be true that Migrants
have their code carved and chalked
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 . 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, q bachelor, for
q wife Is more than q wife to Q min.
lister. She Is q necessity Of life, Q
thing taken for granted. No one could
surmise why the Rev. Martin had new.
er married, though many tried. His
kindly manner, his gentle helplessness
In things material and his deeply spir.
itual sermons quite won the hearts Of
the flock, and more brilliant aspirants
were forgotten in the general demand
for the gentle little man who taught
such sweetly comforting doctrines.
The Rev. Martin took up his abode
In the parsonage and found 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 Of man Of God. There was
q certain shabbiness about the 1t
tire Of the devout preacher, q certain
gauntness Of cheek and wilderness 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 1t 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
Mays careful fingers. the pastor b.
came plumper. and developed Z tend.
oncy toward thu making Of mild joksk
His improved garb seemed TO sive IN
assurance he had lacked before, and
bis sermons became not only consol.
alton fof. Ito elders and the weary, but
inspiration for the young and glow.
Ing. Miss Mary sang over her work
Ike . canary. and Miss llaggis's' %.
we're gaTb became ffilly ct neck and
wrists and enlivened BY bows Of COL
orod ribbon. They bought flowers
and real magazines, went to picture
shows together now and then, ana
laughed togethae like young school.
girls over their household taslEa
Ono day MiSs Mary WAS fitting .