Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-04-05
Bachelors Hall.

cone, two, three-yellow; one, two,
three, f0ur-blue;" said Miss Penniman,
counting the stitches on her embroid-
cry pattern.
"Oh, Miss Penniman, guess what s
happenedw cried Suky Ann the kitch-
.en, putting her head in at the parlor
door.
"What is it ?" asked Miss Penniman,
dropping her work; has the pig bro
ken through that floor again? Well,
I knew how 'twould he; I told Mr..
What 's-his-name that he didn't half do
the Job, but he was so bent on having
it his own way that he gave no more
heed to what I said than to the wind
that blows Now, put on your hat and
go right down and tell him it's all got
to be done over again. Next time may
be he'll heed my advice"
.But the pig hasn't broke through
the floor, mum" said Suky Ann.
"For goodness sake, what has hap
pcncd, then? Has the COW got into the
corn? It's that stupid Malone; never
yet saw an Irishman that knew which
end his head was on. I asked Malone,
not three days ago. about that place,
and he said It's all right, num- He
always says it's all right l suppose
he'd say 'it's all right, if the house
was on fire.
"But it amt the COW, num-"
mot the COW? Why didn't you tell
me it so before, then? It's the chick
ems, | suppose have they got salt, or
"'Taint the faint any
thing that's happened to us"
"What should l care, if it don't con-
cern us? Let other folks attend to
their own affairs"
But it does kind o. concern us;
there's folks moving into the next
house"
"My stars! That is news! A family
with dozen children, I'll warrant.
Ill have the garden gate nailed up, to
begin with, or they'll be tramping over
my hower-beds.
II guess there amt no children,
Miss Penniman.
What makes you think so?'
"Cause I heard um say he was an
old bachelor"
Mercy on us! worse and worse. OF
course he keeps dog-they always do.
I'd rather have a dozen children round
than dog"
Yes'm, there is dog; I see him
myself nasty, snappin', yellin', little
critter; heard um say it was sker-
rier."
"a what?"
"a skerrier, num-"
ooh, Skye terrier, suppose you
mead. Well it's what have long ex-
pected; an old bachelor, you say? OF
course he brings houseLeeper with
him-a great brazen- faced widow. I'll
be bound"
His housekeeper's man, mum"
A man ? of all things!'
II heard um say his name was Pop
gun, or somethin.'
"A very singular name, truly. I
knew family named Gum, and one
named Shute, but Popgun, never; I
should think his master d be afraid he'd
go off. By the way, what's his name
the old bachelors thought to be Can
non, to match that of the servant"
Oh, mistress, you're so funny" said
OA''oAHS. HelIO um say
the old un's name is Merridew."
Um? Who's Um? Whoever he
is, he's told you good deal of news"
Twas Tom told me, num-" said
Suky Ann, the rose on her cheek deep-
ening to peony.
"Oh, the butchers moon-faced boy:
.! surmised as much--but Suky Ann,
don't you know it is very improper to
gossip with young men in this way? I
never did when was a girl"
won't again" said Saky
That's right-always take my ad-
wee and you'll never regret 1t. You
may 60 now-and Suky Ann, if you
hear anything more about our new
nelghbors, let me know it,"
" Yes'm."