The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-02-27
The
POOrhOuSe
Girl
A Victim of Aphasia
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Scihd DuSliu . tdhcu girl iron
the poorhouse." remarked Elsie Sayles
to the assembled Ladies' Aid society.
Fourteen needles were suspended in
midair. and twenty-eight eyes sought
Elsie's countenance.
Not the girl that was found sitting
by Willow pond last month. the one
who couldn't remember her name"
questioned Mrs. Deacon Oliver.
Il guess it's the same one-pOor.
michin' looking critter." replied Mrs.
Sayles briskIy. Looks like she had
consumption"
Il saw her the day we went up to
the poorhouse to entertain the pau
pers." broke in Angelina Petty. II
thought she was real pretty. She had
nice blue eyes"
''Angeline's always looking at peo-
pies eyes" remarked Fanny Lawson.
What do you think. girls-somebody
told me something one Of the old men
at the poorhouse said after we'd gone
away that day.
What did he say?" asked Mrs. Dea-
pleased Mt our taking the trouble TO
entertain them"
Fanny laughed maliciously.
HE said they felt sorry for us-the
Ladies Aid, mind you. girls-and that
they were coming down to entertain us
some day"
"Why is he sorry for us?" asked
Angeline curiously.
He says we're 'pauper minded >"
Fanny exploded this bombshell and
folded up her work preparatory to 60
ing home.
"Pauper minded" they shrieked in
chorus What does he mean?'
"Give it up. Goodby, ALI" said Miss
Lawson. with an airy wave of her
hand.
do you suppose she made it up?'
asked Elsie Sayles after Fanny's trim
figure had passed through the front
gate.
"She amt smart enough. She don't
know the meaning of pauper minded"
snapped Mrs. Oliver GROSSLY. She had
been the one to inaugurate a monthly
day Of entertainment for the benefit
of the inmates of the county aims
house, and she had real grievance
not only against the aged man who
had voiced the unhappy opinion. but
against the institution and all it's in
mates.
IF that's all the gratitude them pau
pers have got guess won't take no
notice Of Selma Dustin's poorhouse
girl" she added severely.
Angeline Petty moved indolently in
her chair.
I'm going to call on her and ask
her to come to Sunday school," she re-
marked.
Anybody want to come with me to
call on the poorhouse girl?" she asked.
tucking her work into the ample black
bag in her lap and rising to go.
Mrs. Petty shifted audibiy.
''Angeline. you'll go on your own re-
sponsibility," she protested.
I'm not afraid" retorted Angelina
quietly. None of my relations died In
the almshouse. l amt a bit sensitive
about calling on that girl. She's young.
and she's nice. even if she is poor and
not exactly right in her head. 1t amt
her fault that she can't remember her
name. is it,"
what do they call herr" asked Mrs.
Oliver stiffiy.
MARY Jones. Well. I've got to go
all alone. l see. Ma. don't look so sick
over it. 'Tain't as If was going to
elope." Angeline waved q plump hand
at her family smiling parent and wad-
died comfortably out Of the room and
down the path to the gate.
At the gate she paused for few
moments and looked uncertainty up
and down the road. and then. as If sud
denly coming to a decision Angelina
crossed the road and plunged into the
footpath that led through the oak
woods to the crossroads where Selma
Dustin lived in long white house half
hidden among locust trees and lilac
bushes.
In Selma Dustin's front yard Mary
Jones was sitting on the circular bench
under the largest locust tree. She was
delicately fair. with deep blue eyes
and little white hands that looked as
il they had never done days hard
work. The hands were idly folded or
the lap Of her blue cotton dress.
.'She's feshing up and growing pref
tier every day" said Angelina to Sc
lima Dustin. who was sitting on the
side porch.
II amt the only one who thinks so,
murmured Selma. with satisfied
smile ut the graceful form Under the
tree.
what do you mean?" asked Ange
lima. sinking into chair.
1T mean that Raymond Ellis Is sweet
on her. Don't tell any one. Angelina
pleaded Selma softly. IF you do. sure
as fate some OF them old tabby cats
will talk about her.
Raymond Ellis repeated Angelina
dazedly. why. Selma. he's never
taken notice OF Little River girl be
fore. He's so lofty and proud
Hes been here n dozen times
spang up To the front door and asked
for her like gentleman. Nothing
sneaking and undermined about Judge
Ellis hoy said Selma warmly u