Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-07-22

CHE Story Teller.
T III e
t HI E
LUCK OF THE LUCKLESS,
BY FRANCIS LEE.

| Ill the mysteries OF churning and baking. As
she patted, and mixed, and stirred, she was
unconsciously aware of the bees humming in
and out among the white blossoms of the To-
Gust trees, and of Joseph lying under the
sweet apple-tree, his tow -colercl hair max
ing vivid contrast against the green grass
and nodding clover.
| Presently sound OF distant hoofs broke
on the ear, not of Paulna or Joseph, but of
Button, who started up with half growl,
and then, thinking himself premature, sank
back into waiting attitude, with his ears
up and his tail vigorously Tapping.
The sound of; these hoofs was common
enough in Logtown but this was the first
time it had fallen on Buttons ear, and lie
knew it very well.
The hoofs belonged to Farmer Wizards
brown horse, as in twlnkling Button might
have seen, only he happened just then to
hear an inquiring bark over behind the barn;
and, recognizing by the voice that Mr.. Tu-
doris st. Bernard had come to go wood
chuck-hunting with him, according to ap-
pointment, he trotted away just as the brown
horse, driven by Farmer Wizards brown
handed son, Herman, drew up before the
apple tree.
Whoa, Dolly" cried Herman. "Holloa,
you boy! will your folks give couple of
travellers Ginner? Run in and sec."
Joseph rose deliberately, and followed his
bare feet leisurely across the wide stoop into
the kitchen, with his errand. Paulina looked
around from the oven that was resigniug to
her Its load OF flaky pies and shining bread
"N0, we can't" came out of her red face
sit is only mile to the Corners, and l
guess they won't starve before they get to
the tavern.
Paulina was not ill-tempered she was
only impulsive, and she always said what
ever happened to be lying uppermost in her
mind when her mouth opened; then after
wards had often to undo her words by her
works.
Goodness !" cried she directly, looking
from, the window, :" If it isn't Herman Will
lard and Sara Swan aud they are driving
off! What did you tell them to so for, Joe ?
What nuisance you are!"
"Dont care" replied Joe. ''You told
me to-"
"We, now that Is too bad Run, Joe,
can't you, and call after them; or do some
thing besides stand there and yawn. ;, You
will drive me wild"
Joseph started off to do in his unlucky way
as he was told, calling after the wagon at
every step, till it was long out OF sight
Reaching the Corners at length, all out
breath, he made his way up TO old Deacon
Ketchum-an his wife, who had just driven
in, and, with an awkward bow, informed
them that Pauina wanted them to come
over 10 dinner right of.
In the meantime Herman and Sara, in a
great state of affront, were halt way back to
Logtown.
''Oh, deary mel" calculated Paulina in
savage uudertone, that was all the sharper
because she dared not speak aloud. "Why
in the world did you bring those people r.
"You told Inc to. There's no pleasing
you, any ways, responded the youth in an
abused tone, as the good deacon cheerfuly
alighted from his chaise.
"We laid out to take our batting with
your folks, but we met your marin and sir
most over to Tiverly," said the deacon, lift
ing out the wheeled easy-chair in which his
wife, who was helpless paralytic, sat.
" You tell them we didn't mean any slight
in giving them the go-by."
Father and mother W Ill be sorry they are
away" returned Paulina, trying to think she
was speaking the truth, and trying to look
respectfully cordial.
Deacon Ketchum was IL very talkatiye
person, and his wife tried to be; but only
her husband could understand what the poor
palsied lounge was endeavoring to say. So, |
with interpreting for her and conversing for |
himself, he led busy lite. Aud all the
while, Paulina, passing in and out to put
the plates and knives on the dinner-table, !
was regretting and wondering over her lost |
guests.
Herman said, on the last day of school, |
that he would come and bring Sara over;
but didn't know as he would" thought |
sue III tuc scCiCt CuuulDcTo Vi ucT uearL
thinking also OF look in Herman's eyes that
made her believe he would not come Alto
gether for the purpose of bringing his cous-
in.
And this was the way il had ended! She
could do nothing to help 1t, either. No,U
Herman and Sara knew just what temper
she had, and how dsobigiing she was.
Her mother had told her often and often she
would get into trouble with her hasty tongue
and here it was Mrs. Ketchum's mumbling,
and her husbands sharp rakish voice in per-
petual concert, like couple of Katydid's'
fitting punishment for her; and Paulins felt
unnaturally meek under the consciousness of
it,"
"Hop dop yop moptop gop hop popkop?"
said Mrs. Ketchum.
,"Grandms'am ssys, How does your I