The Colorado statesman., 1913-11-01
TWO DEAR OLD LADIES
BY T. M'MAHoN.

BroWn were Two dear old ladies' VINO
lived together in tiny house at the
edge of the city. Miss Mary had
made wedding gowns for young wom-
en- of her own age in her youth, and
she went on making dainty baby
things for the children of the brides,
and later, debutante gowns and we'd
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 all things vicariously, she was
an institution in many homes, where
Miss Mary's days" were as much
part of the household regime as 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 a 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 a
reputation for charitable works.
Was there a 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 a word of
cheer for him. The clothing? oh,
yes! Miss Maggie had no pride or SEM
blance thereof. She went, quite as a
matter of course, to richer house
holds and begged frankly for cast-off
clothing for her poor people" and she
got it and gave it, with a kindly in
junction, bit of encouragement or a
quoted text, as need seemed to de-
mand. If it be true that vagrants
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 a grief
ITO 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, a bachelor, for
q wife is more than wife to a min
lister. She is a necessity of life, a
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 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 of a man of God. There was
a certain shabbiness about the at
tire of the devout preacher, certain
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 dpor 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
Marys careful fingers, the pastor be-
came plumper, and developed a 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 Maggie's Sc
we're garb became frilly at neck and
wrists and enlivened by bows of col
ored ribbon. They bought flowers
and real magazines, went to picture
shows together now and then, 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 Marys softly
wrinkled cheek.
Miss Mary looked up, startled for
an instant, and then comprehend
ing.
IT know just how you feel. dear