Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-01-12

lie caught up the pan from the nre-tO
keep it from burning, and made haste to
the front door. Then he remembered it
would not be just the thing to go to the
door with frying pan in his hand, SO he
deposited it on the parlor sofa, and answer
ed the ring.
Mrs. d. Nudge was on the steps, dressed
in her best.
"Yes-I-dare-say stammered Keith
.'my wife is absent and am playing
Bridget-walk in
"Mrs. Nudge sailed into the parlor,
which was darkened to exclude the sun,
and without looking at her seat, sunk into
the frying pan on the sofa.
Jupiter cried Mr.. Keith, you've
done it now.''
Mrs. Nudge sprang up-the grease
dripping from her rich silk on the carpet.
Her face grew dark. She was tempted to
say something cutting, but managed to
control herself: bowed .haushtily, and
swept out of the house.
Keith returned to the kitchen little
crest fallen, for Mrs. Nudge was lacy
before whom he desired to appear particu-
larly we'll
There was tremendous cracking in the
oven. He thought of his pudding, and
looked in. The burnt rice had hoped all
over the oven !; the basin had melted
apart, and the pudding was not done. He
shut the door upon the ruins in disgust,and
looked after his potatoes only to find them
boiled to a perfect jelly.
And just as he made the discovery there
was sharp peal at the door bell.
"Creation there's that abominable bell
again. ! wish folks would stay at home !
III lock all the doors and cut all the bell
wires, after to day.
At the door he found Mr.. and MIS-
Fidger, and their children.
"Ny dear Mr.. Keith! how do you Go ?"
cried Mrs f'idgett. I'VE were in town,so
thought we'd Just step in to dinner
Where is Mrs Keith ~
shes gone away" said Keith ruefaly,
wondering what lie should feed tllen on ;
walk in, do. am househceper to day"
"lcs, so | should judge. But Of course
YOU make splendid one. remcmber
you used to be telling Mrs. Keith and my
self how Very easy housekeeping must be.
1t must lie mere play 10 You. Don't put
yourself out, beg
"i'ut myself oft indeed" FL give a
hundred dollars if Mary was ouly here !!
&oad gracious where shall begin ~
lie drew ont the table and set it without
any cloth; then took off the plates and
put OF a eIo!h-the very one he had wiped
he 1isl.es on. The task completed, he
pvt on some Etore potatoes, ahd some
norc steak. burned the steak to q cinder;
look aoii his potatoes when he did his
teak, AID put on the table. There WAS a
oaf Of bakers bread in the cupboard; he
! pa,aled shat, and called his guests to Din
lcr.
y qaizaical smile spread over Mrs
Fidget,s face al the sight Of Tie repast
i[yi;h was in a cold perspiraiion.
Ma, !ay plates al greasy. and SOS my
knife. | can't eat on dirty Dishes" cried
little johnny Fiiget.
"lnd my fork is wet all over with water
.hat'S dropped off the table cloth and rly
cater ain't half billed" cried little Jan.
t'ilgct.
4 slight noise in the kitchen drew til,
attention o. ar. Keith.
"Japiter!" cried he, iii Mrs. O'Ilahcr
! tvs dog aiat making G.i with my steak =
He jumped lrGm the table, and starget
in hot pursuit. The dog made the best o
it; keitlls unaccustomet attire was SAT
drawback, and lie made but little head
way.
"Kil him." he yelled to the crowj
that Joined in the pursuit. "I'n give if
teen dollars for his hide"
Mrs. O'klahesty herself appeared OF
tlc scene with SKILLET Of hot water.
Tech him il Yer dare :" she cried; III
! hryal. the bducs of every mothers cons o
yecs. stand from tOruist or ye'll rue the
day.
Keith took step forward; stepped on
his skirt, and pitched head first into q
wine cellar, where half Il dozen men were
playing cards"
The devil in petticoats - exclaimed
one samcstcr and the place enptied quick
or than wink.
The police picked up Mr.. Keith, con
sidcrably bruised, and carried him home
His company Lad taken their departure
and somebody net having the fear OF III,
law upon them, had entered and stolen ;
hundred dollars worth of property.
Mr.. Keith scnr TIE following note tC
his wife by the evening mail +:
"DEAE MARY Come home. | give
up beat. \ woman does have grca
deal te do. confess myaelf ineoElpeten
to manage. Come home aud You shal
have new silk dress, and u daughter Q
Elm TO divide Your labors.
Yours diaconsolately, II. KEITH.