Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-08-12
" Jupiter cried Mr.. Keith, you've


id0ne IN nosx. 49, s.zssszssszz
Mrs. Nudge sprang up, the grease
dripping from her rich silk on the car
pet-s Her face grew dark She wa;
tempted TO say something cutting, bu
managed tokscoatrol aherself-boweC
haughtily, and swept out of the house.
Keith returned TO the kitchen a little
crest-fallen, for Mrs. Nudge was lady
before whom he desired TO appear par
ticuIaFly well. ,1. 81
There was = tremendous cracking in
the oven. He thought of his pudding
and looked in. The burnt rice had hop
ped all over. the oven; the basin had
| melted apart, and tile pudding was moi
done. He shut the door upon the ruins
IN disgust, and only 10 find them boiled
70 a perfect Jelly. sssts
And Just as he made the discovery
there was a sharp peal at the door bell.
I I" Creationi there's that abominable
bell again. [ wish folks would stay al
home. Eli lock all the doors and cut all
the bell wires after today = -
| AT the door he found Mr.. and Mrs
Eidget and their children.
:" My dear Mr. Keith, how do you do!''
cried Mrs. Fidget. I'VE were in town
and thought we'd just stop in todinner.
Where is Mrs. Keith ?'i
50 She's gone away said Keith rue,
fully, wondering what he should feed
them on; walk in, do. I ana the
house-keeper to-day sss.l ,E1-i,
-"Yes, 50 I should judge. But OF
course you make a splendid one.s re
member you used to be frequently tell
ing Mrs. Keith and myself how very
easy housekeeping must be. 1t must be
mere play to you. Don't put yourself
out, l beg"
:. Put myself out indeed !'' cried Keith,
lretreating TO the kitchen. !" Good gra-
cious, what shall do2 I'd give hun
ldred dollars if Mary was only here
Where shall begin ?"
He drew out the table and set il with
out a cloth, then took off the plates ane
put on a eloth-the very one he had
wiped the dishes on. The task compile
ted, he put on sone more potatoes and
some more steak-burned the steak to q
cinder-took off his potatoes when he
did his meat, and put all upon the table.
There was a loaf of bakers bread in the
cupboard /; he paraded that, and called
his guests to dinner.
A quizzical smile spread over Mrs.
Fidget's face at the sight of the repast.
Keith was in a cold perspiration.
{" Ma, my plates all greasy, and SOS
my knife I cam t. eat -o3- dirty dishes, =
cried little Johnny Fidget.. .,.ess
"And my fork is wet all over with
water that's dropping off the table clothi
and my ,tater amt half billed" cried lit
tie Jane Fidget.s E - .iHs-i
A slight noise in the kitchen drew the
attention of Mr.. Keith. =
Jupiter :" cried he, T" if Mrs. O'Flah-
Eerty's dog amt making off with my
steak !" fs1 'sz{f p et.
He jumped from the table, and started
in hot pursuit. The dog made the best
of it :, Keith's ,unaceustomed attire was
sad drawback, and he made but little
headway.k .iao( g1
l 81 Kill him." be yelled to tie crowd
that joined in the pursuit; III give
fifteen dollars for his hide"
Mrs. 0'Flaherty herself appeared ON
the scene with a skillet of hot water.
"Tech him if ye darew she cried.
"I'll break the bones of every mothers
son q o1fssfs ! 4 stans rom f0Ea nlss oTss'ii
+ Keith eth too TOOK .GsbSe Sessyaa stspps9 on
his skirt, and pitched head first into a
wine cellar, where half.la dozen men
were playing cards -. sei7s. - /,
1.-The devil in peticoatsn exciaimad
one gamester, and the place emptied
quicker than a wink -"
The police picked up Mr. Keith con-
bruised and carried him home.
His company had taken their departure,
and somebody, not having the fear of
the law upon them, had entered and
stolen hundred dollars worth of prop
erty. j-6g .flt silsH
Mr Kaith cant tha fnllouinv note to