St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-02-07

''Why, Taddy, how you did tear it I've
good notion to give ye smart trounc-
ing now :"
TaGdy began to snore, and Mrs. Duck
low concluded that she would not wake
him
''It is mean cloth, as he says !" she
exclaimed, examining it 10y the kerosene
lamp. ''For my part, / consider it as a
great misfortin that shoddy was ever in-
vented. Ye can't buy any sort of a
read-mado garment for boys nowadays
but it comes 10 pieces at the least wear
or strain, like SD much brown paper"
She was shaping TIE necessary patch
when the sound OF wheels coming into
the yard told her that the person so long
waited for had arrived.
That you p said she, opening the
kitchen door and looking out into the
darkness,
YES" replied a mans voice.
''Ie want the lantern -
"No; Jest set the lamp in the winder,
and | guess can git along Who" and
the man Jumped to the ground.
''Had good luck ?" the woman inquir-
ed in low voice.
'.I'll tell We when l come in," was the
evasive answer.
Has he bought me a drum :" bawieI
Taddy from the chamber stairs.
do you want me TO come up there
and tend TO We 2" demanded Mrs Duck
low.
The boy was not particularly ambi;i-
Gus of enjoying that honor.
''You b bill and 90 to asleep, then,
or you'll git drlnnneci %
And she latchei tie stairway door,
greatly to the disnay Of Master Taddy,
who felt that some vast and momeniou>
secret was, being kept from him. Over
hearing whispered conference between
his adopted parents in the morning, no
ticng also the cautious CHANGES they cast
at HIM, and the persistency with which
they repeatedly sent him away out OF
sight on slight and absurd pr=tence', he
had gathered fact and drawn an infer
ence. namely, that great purchase was
to be made by Mr.. Ducklow that day III
town, and that, on his return, lie (Taddy,
was to be surprised by the presentation OF
what he had 50 long coveted and te"sec
fora new drum.
To lie quietly in bed under such cir
cumstances " as an act that required more
self-control than Master Iaddy Possessed
Accordingly he stole down STAIRS anc
listened, feeling sure, that, if the drum
should come in, Mrs. Ducklow and per
haps Mr. Ducklow himself, would he un
able 10 resist the temptation OF humping
II soflly to try its sound.
Mrs. Duckiow was pusy taxing bel
| husbands supper out OF the oven, where
it had been keeping warm for him, pour
/ ing hot water into the teapot. and giving
the last touches to the table. Then camt
the familiar grating noise of boot oI
the scraper Mrs. Ducklow stepPe'
quickly to open the door for Mr.. Duck
low. Taddy, we'll aware that he Wa
committing an indiscretion, but inspire,
by wild hope of see!nga new drum com
iuto the kitchen, venturcd TO unlatcl
the stairway door, open it crack, an'
peep.
Mr.. Ducklow entered. bringing mum
Der of parcels containing purchase
from the stores, but 10 drum visible Il
Taddy.
Did you buy ?" whispered Mrs Duck
low, relieving him of his load.
! Mr.. Ducklow pointed mysteriouslY a
the stairway door, lifting his eyebrow
interrugatively.
"Taddy p said Mira Ducklow. ooh
he's abe1,-though | never in my Iii
had such a time 10 git him of, out Of til
way tor he'd somehow got possessed {
} the idee that you Was to buy something
; and he wanted to set up and see what
was
''Strarge how children will ketch thing
sometimes, best ye can 60 to prevent
SAID Mr.. Ducklow.
, ''But did you buy -
.'Iou better Jest take them matcht
e and put 'em ont o the way, iust thu:
> fore ye fnr9it it. Matches are danse
: Gus TO have layin' around, and new
, feel safe till they re safe
= Aud Mr.. Ducklow hung up his Ia
and laid his overcoat acros. II clair
/ the next room, with Il caTsfulness Al
d deliberaiion axhauSting TO the patien'
OF good Mrs. Ducklow, and no les II,
!. ing to that of NJ ster Tadly, who WI
y waiting TO hear tie important questll
: answered
C s.Come :" said she, after hastily di
: posing Of the matches, whats the u
II Of keeping me in su:pense I did y'
e buy p
Z "Where did We put EN- ?'' asked NJ
e Dncklow, taking down the booljack.
II ''In the little tin pail, where we =
d wavs keep 'em, Of course! Where shou
l put 'cm p
J. You needn't be cross. l asked eau
h | didn't hear ye put the cover on, eilhe
d and l shan't be easy till ye do"
= Mrs. Ducklow returned 10 the pantr
20 and her husband, pausing a momel
leaning over chair, heard the cover
!" on 10 tie tin pail with click and clatl
a which betrayed, that, if ever there W
Y an angry and impatient cover, that W.:
"Anybody been here to-day?" n
y. Ducklow inquired. pressing the heel
II his right boot in the jack, and steady
a, the toe under round OF the chair.
a "No :; replied Mrs, Duchlow.
''Ye been anywhere?'
'.Yes, ~
id "Where ?" mildly inquired Mr.. Du'
= low.
an "No NATTER" said Mrs. Ducklow.w
ny decided ill-lemper,
MIR. Ducklow drew deep sigh, as
I'm turned and looked upon her.