Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-03-23
Select Gales.
From the Columbian Magazine for March.
MY BORROWING NEIGHB0R.
BY MARY ALEXINA SMITH
.qlthor Of" Three Hays Of Managing Husband" ETC.
concluded. J

Mrs. Jordon called in to see me one day, and
sat conversing in very pleasant strain for an
hour, She was an agreeable companion, and |
was pleased with the visit In fact, liked Mrs.
Jordnn.
Alb nut an hour after she was gone, Nancy came
into the Kitchen where happened 10 be-
What's wanted now Z" said /, My voice ex'
pressed quite as much as my words. saw the
color flush in Nancy's face.
"Mrs. Jordon says, will you please to lend her
pan of -four! She will return it TO morrow"
"Tell Mrs GORDON" replied, " that we are
going to mike up bread this afternoon, aud
havn't more than enough h,ur left, OF | would
let her have what she wants. And, by the way,
Nancy, tell Mrs Jodon that | will be Obliged
to her if she will send in my large earthen dish.
We want to Use it,
Nancy didn't seem pleased. And l thought
she muttered something to herself as she went
away.
Not FIVE minutes elapsed before word came to
nv room that Mrs Jordon was in the parlor and
wished to speak to me.
"Now for trouble" thought. Sure enough,
when entered the parIor the knit brow, flushed
face and angry eyes of my neighbor told me that
there was to be a scene
" Mrs. Smith," she began, without ceremony
or apology for her abruptnesS Of manner, " !
should like to know what you meant by the
manner in which you refused to let me have IA
little flour just nowl"
" How did refuse Z" was cool enough to
inquire.
:" You refused in manner which plainly
enough showed that you thought me trouble
some borrower. Whats wanted now 2 ! think
rather strange language to use to domestic of
mine"
Really, thought I, this caps the climax.
"Fo speak the plain truth Mrs. Jordon,"
said |, "and not wishing to give any offence
you do use the privilege Of neighbor in this
respect rather Ireely-mole freely, must own,
than feel justified in doing"
{" Mrs Smith, this is too much! exclaimed
Mrs, Jordon. Why, you borrow of me twice
where borrow of you once. am particularly
careful in matters of this kind"
looked at the woman with amazement.
Borrow of you ?" asked
Certainly" she replied, with perfect cool
ness. "Scarcely "a day passes that you do moi
send in for something or other. But dear knows !
have always felt pleasure in obliging you"
was mute for time.
Really, Mrs Jordon," said | at length, as
composedly as | could speak, "you seem to be
laborng under some strange mistake. The
charge Of frequent borrowing, | imagine, lies all
on the other side. can maine d"zen of my
things in your house now, and can mention as
many articles borrowed within the last three
days"
"Prav do so" was her cool reply.
You have my large wash-boller," replied
"and two of my washing tubs You borrow
them every Monday and have almost always to
send for them"
~ have your wash-boiler and tubs You
are in error, Mrs Smith. have large boiler
Of my own and plenty Of tubs.
C don't know what you have, Mrs. Jordon;
but do know tint you get mine every week.
Excuse me. for mentioning these things-l d."
so at your desire. Then there is my coffee
mill, borrowed every morning"
"Cofee-ml Why should | borrow your
cofee-m We h2ve one Of our own"
Yesterday you borrowed butter and eggs
and sugar." | continued.
az" Ny neghbor seemed perfectly amazed
Yes aud the day before loaf of bread
an egg to clear your cofee-salt, pepper and
nutmeg"
"Neyer !"
"And to-day Nancy got some lard, cup of
coffee and some Indian Meal for pudding"
"She did 2" asked Mrs, Jordon in quick
voice, a light seeming TO have flashed upon heI
mind
Yes" l replied, " for was in the kitchen
when she got the lard and meal, and Jane men
toned the coffee as soon as came down this
morning"
"Strange" Mrs Jordon looked thoughtful.
at Isn't week since we got coffee, and | am
sure our Indian meal cannot be out"
Almost every week Nancy borrows pound
or half pound of butter on the day before your
butter man comes and more .han that doesn't
return it, or indeed any thing that she gets more
than third of the time"
Precisely the complaint have to make
against YOU" said Mrs Jordon, looking me
steadily in the flce."
Then" said |, There is something wrong
somewhere, for to my knowledge nothing has
been borrowed from you or any body else for
months forbid anything of The kind"
Be that as it may, Mrs. Smith, Nancy FREE
q1entIy comes to me and says you have sent in
for this, that, and the other thing-cofee, tea,
sugar, butter; and in fact, almost every thing
used in a family"
"Then Nancy gets them for her own use"
said l.
But have several times seen Jane in N.Y.
self for things"
"My Jane !" | said, in surprise
instantly rang the bell.
"Te Jane | want her" | said to the waiter
who came to the door. The cook soon ap
peared.
Jane, are you in the habit of borrowing
from Mrs. Jordon without my knowledge"
"No, !" replied Jane, firmly, and
withaut any mark Of disturbance in her face.
Nib. ,.,,, NOT n har nj sOnn frou, mr. hnuup