The Lincoln County herald., 1869-06-03

black. Any idea what to do here, Tom ?"
Oh, certsinly. Let them keep company
with the loaf" '.' a. g.. ' '7''F
"All right. I'll make the coffee now,
and then we win be ready for our lunch.
There are a few rolls left from breakfast" "
Tom carried out his plan relative to the
lost bread. and the coffee being ready,
they proceeded to the dining room, where
Ned put out tho various good things.
81 say, Tom, what will wc say became
"Never mind, old fellow; I'll stay and
help you out" !"..
"Tom, you are tho only comfort Two
had this day. What is the matter now ?
What are you making face at?' ''"
"Do you call this coffec?" '.
Ned tasted. '' i.
Something is wrong here, certainly,
Well, never mind, we will drink milk, l
cay, Tom" snid his friend, after looking
very seririous for few moments, "you
know what think7" 10.
II can guess-namely, housekeeping is
not your vocation" .-..-
"Well, yos-but moro than that"
"That woman is an institution 2"
"Yes, that is il. A divine institution.
I never knew it before. This days ex.
perience has forced the acknowledgment
me. I appreciate the whole sex-my
wife in particular. If to-day, when al.
most everything was done for me, I could
not remember, and get along, how must it
it have been yesterday with her? Sweep.
ing, busting, brewing, baking, mcnding,
making, and more than any, and most of
all, tending baby at the beginning, end
ing, and between every other duty. Why
man! we should 60 mad with so much
care. y woman from this hour I am
thy devoted admirer."
"You are right, Ned. I appreciate
them too, particularly after eating such
cake and pie us this. III give up the
idea Of being a bachelor" said the merry
man.
"Blcss me ! It's hnlf.past six o'clock.
Fannie will be here very soon. wish
those dishes had been washed up; then
everything would have seemed right any.
how"
We can do them in no time," said
Tom. y
"Too late-hcre shc is," answered
Ned; and Fannie camo In, looking as
happy and bright as possible. .'-
"Why, how well you look was
fearful you would be tired Fannie. Sit
down, and let me remove your wrap
pings"
"Oh, no, not n bit tired. I am glad to
sec you Mr.. Merryman. You have kept
Ned from being lonesome, / know. !
frankie p returned the little wife.
II wish I had," thought Ned but
answered, ~ am very glad to hear IL
frankie is sleeping nicely"
"Give mo cup Of tea, please, and q
roll. The long ride has given mo an
appetite"
A look Of CONSERVATION mingled with
m appealing one, was cast toward Tom
by the anxious husband. He poured
out cup, still quito hot, and passed II
over. .'
Fannie sweetened and tasted. Puck
cred up her mouth, tasted again. Her
eyes were dancing, her mouth drawn
down, every feature expressing sup
pressed mirth. '''
"Tea or coffee did you say, Ncd?" che
quietly asked. ,'
II am really sorry, Fannie. But
must have put both In, I guess. I was
very much worried about that time"
"Ncvcr mind, I'll make cup in few
minutes" answered his wife. And of
she few to the kitchen to meet the break
fast things, just as she had left them. She
soon returned with her tea; sat down
and asked = D."
"Where are the fresh rolls, Ned2 I'd
like one Of your baking"
"Now, Mrs. Barton, I am very Euct
afraid you will think we are gorm.ndiz.
ers, but those rolls were 50 very brow,
ard inviting, that we made awoy with al
Of them" said the ever ready Tom.
'Oh, I am very glad vow liked them.
would just as soon have tho loaf,
piece, if you please, Ned" '.j .''. i'i Z
Another appealing glance toward hi
friend, who came to his assistance. '
"Really, do not know what you vii
think--but, my dear madam, We wer,
both Of us pretty nearly famished, an,
seeing the loaf, which was so very ligh
and tempting, why-wo paid our respects
to that 6rst," said Tom, very gravely.
"1ndeed. I am delighted you epjOye,
BOTH" said Fannie-but at the same tim
ts'niIng esiaiin 4 there was some mystery con
II will 70 up and see frankie, reliev
Dick, aud then come down and tell 30,
all about my visit" said Fannie. VIM Z.
She was gone about . half-hour, durinl
which time the two friends were con
graduating theuelves ON their happy exi
from their embarrassing situation. u. ID.
Fannie returned, looking msrrier thar
ever. and said: o. ,mou, tr p, ,2aiarI
'r"Nod, you have had very trying da.
with tho baby-bvt. p0ori little dear. M