[Elsie’s children by Martha Finley]@TWC D-Link book
Elsie’s children

CHAPTER EIGHTH
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That hateful Miss Day! as I used to call her; Elsie, I wouldn't do a thing for her, if I were you.

Why she treated you with absolute cruelty." "She was sometimes unjust and unkind," said Mrs.Travilla, smiling at her friend's vehemence, "but probably my sensitiveness, timidity and stupidity, were often very trying." "No such thing!--if you will excuse me for contradicting you--everybody that knew you then, would testify that you were the sweetest, dearest, most patient, industrious little thing that ever was made." Elsie laughed and shook her head, "Ah, Lucy, you always flattered me; never were jealous even when I was held up to you as a pattern an evidence that yours was a remarkably sweet disposition.

Now, tell me, please, if you know anything about these Gibsons ?" "Not much; they came to that hut years ago, evidently very poor, and quite as evidently--so report says--having seen better days.

The husband and father drank deeply, and the wife earned a scanty support for the family by sewing and knitting; that is about all I know of them, except that several of their children died of scarlet fever within a few days of each other, soon after they came to the neighborhood, and that a year ago last winter, the man, coming home very drunk, fell into a snow-drift, and next day was found frozen to death.

I was told at that time they had only two children--a son who was following in his father's footsteps, and this daughter." "Poor woman!" sighed Elsie, "she is sorely tried and afflicted.


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