Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-03-06
The
POOrhOuSe
Girl
A Victim of Aphasia
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Selma Dustin's taken a girl from
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.
mot the girl that was found sitting
by Willow pond last month, the one
who couldn't remember her namer
questioned Mrs. Deacon Oliver.
II guess it's the same one-poor
michin' looking critter," replied Mrs
Sayles briskly. Looks like she had
consumption"
II saw her the day we went up to
the poorhouse to entertain the pau.
pers," broke in Angelina Petty. 81
thought she was real pretty She had
nice blue eyes"
"Angeline's always looking at PEG
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 dayr'
what did he sayp asked Mrs. Dea-
con Oliver. II knew they was real
pleased at 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
Angelina curiously.
HE says we're 'pauper minded"
Fanny exploded this bombshell and
folded up her work preparatory to 60
ing home.
"Pauper mindedW they shrleked in
chorus. "What does he meanT
give it up. Goodby, ALL" said Miss
Lawson, with an airy wave of her
hand.
"Do you suppose she made 1t upT
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 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 its In
mates.
IF that's all the gratitude them pau
pers have got guess won't take no
notice of Selma Dustins poorhOuse
girl" she added severely.
Angelina Petty moved indolently in
her chair.
"Fm 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 girl2" she asked,
tucking her work into the ample black
bag In her lap and rising to go.
Mrs. Petty shifted audibly.
"Angeline, you'll go on your own re-
sponslbility," she protested.
I'm not afraid" retorted Angelina
quietly. None Of my relations died In
the almshouse. amt bit sensitive
about calling on tbat girl she's vouno
and she's nice even n sbe ia moor and
NOT exoctlv right I'm ber heod II oIn,t
her fault that aho con,t remember her
name 10 ,t7U
"Whot do thew call ber2p naked Mrs
Oliver stlffiy.
"Morv Jonas Wall Pvo got IN 90
nil alone. I see. Ma. don't look 40 sick
over n ,Toin,t as IL WINS going TO
clone" Aneeline waved plump hand
at her family smiling parent and wad.
died comfortably ont OF the room and
down the notb IN 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 decision, Angelina
crossed the road and plunged into the
footpath that led through the oak
woods TO the crossroads where Selma
Dustin lived I'm 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
deIIcately 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 on