The Keota news., 1913-11-07
Two DEAR olD LADIES
sy T. a'MAHoN.

.SO A0SJ AA00AOt o&S0 -so~ >>o0OeO
Brown wsrs two dear old ladies who
lived together in . tiny house At the
edge Of the city. Miss Mary had
made wedding gowns for young wonn-
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 AAry's days" were ~ 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 . small
amount to the support Of tho 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 . bazar in the little
chruch? Miss Nary's neediework was
sure to MI the table and Miss Mag
Eie's cakes were sure to be the most
delicious and the hrst 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 ~
matter Of course. to richer house,
holds and begged frankly for cast-o6
clothing for her poor people" and she
got Il and gave Il, with . kindly In
junction. . bit Of encouragement or
quoted text, - need seemed to de-
mand. II II b 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 q marked beyond need Of
paint.
But peaceful years brought grief
to these two. The pastor Of their
church, beloved Of them for 30 years.
died, and his widow moved elsewhere.
Replacing him. finally. after trials.
came the Rev. James Martin, elderly.
and, strange to say. . bachelor. for
Q wife IL moro than wife to min
lister. She u = necessity Of life. .
thing taken for granted. No one could
surmise why the Rev. Martin had nev.
or 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 nock, and moro brilliant aspirants
were forgottsa IN the general demand
for tho gentle little man who taught
such swsetly comforting doctrines.
The Rev. Martin took mp his abode
In the parsonage and found . house,
. hooper. But somehow. the housekesp-
q. though sealous, and quite proud
OF her poeitjon. seemed to omit many
q The little attentions that naturally
belonged to one mtnistering to the
needs Of . man Of God. There was
. certain shabbinsss about the IT.
tire Of The Aevout preacher. certain
gsuntness Of cheek and whitsasss Of
slsndse Aand that made these two
z>aidsn ladies. especially. ache for his
welfare. They enterod i1to council.
aJbeeloA 70 the hoods 'o( The church.
and finally Il was arranged that the
parsooaso should y let. and the min
lnta4 nhnulA hvo With niae Mary and