Tillie: A Mennonite Maid

Margaret was "promised," and the doctor was su

omised to one of them tony Millersville Normal professors! If it don't beat all! Well," he drew a long, deep sigh as, lounging back in his buggy, he let his horse jog at his own gait along the muddy country road, "I ju

od-natured, generous, and unscrupulous little doctor, that before she abandoned her post at the end of the term, an

d that she must-be rescued from the life to which that father

t been promised, I was a-goin' to ast you myself! You took notice I gave you an inwitation there last week to go buggy-ridin' with me. That was leadin' up to it. After that Sunday night

ion to sit with one's feet on the rounds of a lady's chair is taken in New C

in' gettin' down to BIZ

ly, "I humbl

he doctor, "if you didn't know no better

rry for

ady to one of them tony Millersville Normal professors," the doct

o wished to use the doctor in her plans for

"I'd like wery well to do what you ast off of me fur little Tillie Getz. But, Teacher, what can a

that you can. Won't you? Promise me that you will. You have several times helped her out of trouble this win

nderful set. A little girl like Tillie couldn't never make no headway with Jake Getz

from her who stood to the child for all the mother-love that her life had missed, was taken away in the burning purpose with which she found hersel

ich makes it worth while to have been born. Don't let yourself be sacrificed for those who not only will never appreciate it, but who will never be worth it. I think I do you no harm by telling you that you are worth all the rest of your family put together. The self-sacrifice which pampers the selfishness of others is NOT creditab

after Miss Margaret's departure, she treasured and brooded over them day and night; and very much as the primitive Christian courted martyrdom,

r, and the child, overlooking the serious difficulties in th

ge store, and Miss Margaret's first letter was la

r two sentences that the teacher, even at the distance of five miles, was st

the letter in his hand: "this here goes after them novel-books, in the fire! I ain't

t longed-for letter tossed into the flames, would have startled her father h

she literally glared at her tormentor. "I'll never forget th

other outlet, could only tear and bruise her own heart as all th

other, she deliberately abandoned her usual Saturday afternoon work of cleaning up (she said to herself that she did not care if the

gh-handed step; and her mother was so dumb with amazement a

erulously after Tillie as she followed her across the kitchen to the

her peace. The girl swept past her, almost walked over several of the children s

spited about? There was enough worse things'n that that she took off her pop without actin' like this. Och, but he'll whip her if he gets in here before she comes back. Where's she goin' to,

ores, her reflections on Tillie taking an unfriendly color as she felt the weight

r little world to whom she felt she could turn for help in her suffering. Her "Aunty Em," the landlady a

doctor as they sat in confidential consultation in the hotel parlor, the child's white face of distress a challenge to his faithful remembrance of his pro

llie. But I'll give you all the paper and envelop

vent gratitude. "But mebbe I hadn't o

d teachin'. Your Miss Margaret she's bound to make a teacher out of you-or anyways a educated

ed this proposal. "I'll keep account and pay you ba

t there? I'll tell you, Tillie!" he slapped the table as an idea came to him. "You write her off a letter and tell her

so kind to me! What would I do without you?" Tears cho

ter fun goin' fur me than gettin' ahead of that mean old Jake

d out. She shuddered as she remembered how wickedly rebellious had been her mood that morning. Never before had such hot and dreadful feelings and thoughts burne

was never ugly in her feeling

gor with which she attacked the Saturday cleaning that Mrs. Getz, with un

etter to Miss Margaret,