Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-05-20
Mrs. Giles Tea Party.

Mr.. Giles went home one day at noou
with very agreeable countenance, and in
Imore complacent frame of mind than was
usual with him, for he was one of those ner-
vous, fussy individuals, who turn themselves
Unto small steam engines to run other people
off the track
His wife sat in her cool bedroom, with
Master Tommy on her lap-said Tommy be-
| ing their only child--and Mr. Giles, as he
entered at the kitchen door, could not but
notice how beautifully clean everything was
how fair the Widespread table looked, and
how neat and cool the sitting room beyond
was
When he got to the door of his wife's
room, he stopped.
" | would wipe my feet if there was rug
to he found" he said, fretfully.
at hasn't rained," said Mrs. Giles, and
dust won't hurt anything"
She was a very pleasant and bright little
woman, who knew just how to manage her
| |iussy husband, and so got along nicely. She
was dressed in a neat calico, and her hair
was smooth and shining, and Master Tommy
was just getting his dressed in the short top
|curls he usually wore. "I've done good
thing this morning in the way of business"
said Mr.. Giles, rubbing his hands.
:" Have you ?" answered his wife, keep
Ftill, Tommy. Sold the farm?"
"Yes, for eight hundred dollars didn't
expect to get that much, but Youton says
he'll get ten for it, and I've"-here his voice
sank to a whisper" I've got it all in my
pocket this minute :"
"Where will you put il ?" asked his wife
/ in the bank 2''
"No, indeed Banks break, and | don't
ntend to lose that money, the first | ever
bad, in "A lump. | shall keep in this very
house, where | can put my hand right on It
when | want to use it,"
"Well! Let US eat our dinner" replied
Mrs. Giles, sand then put the money away
| it will be safe anywhere"
al don't know abou. that answered her
husband I" there isn't night but what there's
burglars around Folks will soon know I've
sold the place, and be on the lookout for the
money"
"Nonsense I'm not afraid. However,
take care of it yourself, and then you'll be
sure it is all right"
And Mrs Giles eat her dinner as if it
|were a matter of perfect indifference to her.
|But all the time she was thinking about it.
rhey had commenced with a house and lot
'paftly paid for By economy and diligence
fhey made it their own.
Hetty Giles was prudent woman, and
ibid othanker for silk dresses and lace cur
tains, because millionaire's wife in the same
block wore them. No She was thankful
that she had so good home--so kind hus-
band-for Giles ,oas kind, albeit he was fus-
sy-and so fair child; and she sometimes
wondered why she had SO clear sky when
many were dark and couded
This eight hundred dollars was more to her
than a Complementary had that already
il was positive Wealth. nest egg--as she
kept thinking over in her practical, ,mind.
After dinner Mr.. Giles began to find
|place for his money, where burglars would
|never think of looking, and soon he assured
|IIetty that it was safe.
{" | won't tell you where" he said, {" since
you don't want to know
And he went off to his store with very
knowing countenance.
"The farm had been some property very
Unexpectedly left them by an aged aunt. 1t
vas rather a barren piece of land. with
4u,~kfe-sown old house on il, but rich specu-
Ilator thought he saw prize in it, and pur-
chased it from them. Mrs. Giles was well
pleased that they had the money for it, and
that it was under their own roof though she
|could not diyest herself of a feeling of res
possibility She even wondered a little what
Mr. Giles had done with it, and then she con-
fluded to think no more Of it.
That night, however, they fastened every
window securely, and Mr. Giles might have
,een seen " looking up rusty old pistol
le also left Nero, the big Newfoundland,
n the house, instead Of outside, and debated
he propriety of keeping light burning all
blight. but extinguished il on Mrs. Giles as
assuring him that burglars preferred light.
They slept TRANQUILITY enough until near
Daylight Then Mrs. Giles was awakened by
b series of terrible screams from her hus-
band
Murder Fire Thieves! Hclp!" he
shouted, and she, light as a cat, crept out
over the foot-board, and lit the lamp in Sec
ond
"Quick," gasped Mr.. Giles, I've got
him He is strangling me Help p
At that moment the light flashed and re-
yealed scsne--Mr. Giles sitting up in bed,
with his face purple with fright, and clasping
Nero in his arms, until the poor dogs eye
balls protrudcd from the tight compression
he was in!
Who could help laughing
Nero slunk away, and Mr. Giles disappear
cd in silence under the bed-clothes, and Mrs. |
Giles rolled on the floor until she was calm
enough to sleep again. And that was the
end Of burglars.
When Sunday morning came, the Giles
family came near being late for church,
thing unheard Of in them. Mr.. Giles was
ths last one to be ready, and his wife was
drawing on her gloves as he pulled on his