Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-11-30

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parlor with my knitting work in my
hands and the last Literary Gazette i
spread before me on the tsblq when the
door burst open, and five htIle urchins
rushed in, all clamorous at once to tell
me, that their mamma, Mrs. Pryaoout,
would have the pleasure Of taking tea
with me and spending the evening in
neishborly way. l am of sociable dis
position, Mr.. Printer, and though an
old maid am pleased with well-behaved
children. therefore told them with a
smile, that should be very happy to see
their mamma-and that on some lei
sure day should be very happy to see
them too. But here found l was an
tlcipated. "Mamma told US that if you
were alone, we might stay an hour or
two, as she was very busy this afternoon,
and meant 10 live with you in a neigh
boriy way" Though somewhat STAR
tied at tbs, submitted with a good
grace, laid aside my knitting and paper,
and gave up the afternoon to my little
neighbors. What proiciens they were
10 the arts oil good neighborhood, my
furniture and parlor viii exhibit for ma
ny Years. My tables were scratched,
my sofa torn, one of the legs of my arm
CHAIR broken, and an ugly hole burnt in
NY carpet. When their mother arrived,
about 6 O'Clock, she found me busily
employed IN repairing the damage, and
eastiag her eyes complacentiy round the
room, exclaimed, 81 am afraid Miss
Barbara, the children have been trou-
blesome, bat the dear little creatures
have such spiriis!''
But tbs, Mr.. Printer, was only the
beginning of my sorrows. Mrs. Pry-
about took her tea with me, and conae-
scended 10 maze all manner oFiaqniries
about my domestic establishment, and 10
give me all manner of good advice, in a
very neighboriy way. In the evening,
was favored with the Company OF Mr..
Pryaboul, Mrs. Fidgelty, and the two
Miss Peepnthedrawers, who all proved
themselves to be exceIlen, good neigh
oors by opening my cupt lard, inspect
ing my bed-ciothes, and counting my
iinen. As they were only neighbors,
and meant to live Without ceremony, they
slaid late, degoured my cakes and fruit,
and promised on departing to come again
very soon, and make me another neigh
bory visit.
went TO bed with sick head ache.
Hdtas | am an early riser, found my
sell dressed IN the morning before ans of
my kind neighbcrs were stirring. was
Just coming down stars, W0en a loud
rap summoned me 70 the door. found
little dry cnlid shiyering n the frosty
ar. " Mother wants to know, Ma'am,
It you wiil lend her your wash bowl
she Is lus' getting up and wants TO wash
her isce dis morning"
Aud who is your mother? exclaimed
IN sone aslonlshment.
On she lives ,usl here in the neigh.
! borhuod.
Aud hes she no wash bowl
NJ Ma ,asn, When she washes her face,
she always borro7vs.
Amused VITA the novelty of the re.
quest, lent the htiie urchin the wash
bowl, and exlorted her TO make use OF
II herself before she returned il.
In about five inmates | was summon
ed again 10 the door. "Mother told me
10 tell you, Ma'am, that you forgot to
send her a towel. She ueser borsows a
wash bowl without a towel"
In some amazement, handed her a
-" Is ,acre any thing else, my
lhtie slri, tor your mother seems to be
quite neighborly %
Yes--no--yss-nolhing else a, pre-
sent. Mother wants to borrow sotoe
soap; bat she told me to come again Tor
that presently-ior il | asked for Two
things at once, you might not be willing
TO lend them.
returned to the parlor musing upon
The blessings OF good neighborhood,
when hall a dozen rapid knocks at the
door again startled me. The servant
came in and said that three or four chill
dren were at the door all asking to see me-
| nastened 10 meet them with no little
alarm. -" What is it my children do
you wish TO see me I"
.dH.-Ma ain, Miss Barbara
Boy Uncle wants to know ii you'll
Little Boy Mother sent me to ask
you To-
Girl.-Please Ma'sm to-
.AH- LEND
Boy him your axe.
Little Boy.-her your tub.
Girl-Siser your ihread-case.
Man, attracting Can you lend me
your wheel. barrow, Ma'am.
Woman just behind him.,-I want to
borrow your clothes line just for hall an
hour Ma'am.