Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-03-09

kicked off, corsets, bustles, undercloth-
ing, in a dilapidated condition. Ira
acted very naturally, just as if every
thing was right and not unusual.
'.Now, squire, this bedroom is good
sized, bout square, / should think,
said the unlmpressible Ira, taking the
rule and beginning to measure from the
wall right opposite the bed; ''take the
measure and see for yourself; y and he
handed 1t 70 the bereft widower
He took it and continued on with the
same measurement that Ira had COM
menced Of course it ran right under
the bed. Now beds qUiH get dirty under
them. I don't know what's the reason,
but the first sign of disorder in bed
room begins with fufiness on the car
ept under it, Then we women all know
what glorious receptacle ''under yon
bed" is for shoes, boxes, dirty clothes,
cast-of duds, and anything one wants
to put out of sight 'just for little
while Good housekeepers, sometimes,
so far depart from their integrity as to
let things get in muss in their bed
rooms. 1t is not for US to say whether
Betsey Bohbett's bedroom was generally
tidy or not.
Dreadful. wasn't it !? that just while
| the immaculate squire was down on all
fours, away back under the bed, among
feathers, and straw, and boxes, and bum
dies, and other things, patting little
trip was heard running up stairs, as light
as kittens springy step, and who
should come bounding into the room.
curls a-fying, and eyes sparkling, and
cheeks aglow, but Betsey Bobbett her
self?
''Oh, good Heavens p she screamed,
as one glance of her eyes took in the
whole scene.
Ira was standing leaning over, anxious
ly watching the squire, who was under
the bed, save that his legs were visible,
as much of them as wore boots.
What does this mean? I'd like to
know she said. in shrill voice. hold
ing up both trembling hands as though
aghast with horror.
The squire came a-hustling out, crab
style. from among the debris, with his
--------- L I011o anu UII0
tails of his coat turned up over his
back. He made great clang and clat-
ter and noise, and disarranged the hid
den things generally; but he got out at
last, and tried to look like a man who
had been following Legitimate calling.
Now, l say no gentleman will enter
a ladys private room under such Cir
cumstances, said she, looking at the
measuring rule; land especially in her
absence! It's horrible it's auful y and
the poor little thing clapped her hands
| up to her face and sobbed Historically.
He only wanted to measure the
5 rooms afore he planned his m said the
brother, in cringing voice, looking a
e his sister, and feeling really sorry tina
f matters had taken such an unfavorabl,
| turn. His plan had worked well, bu
hadn't stopped there; it had gone OIL
r working and he couldn't see. as h
e stood there stratching his head, wher
f the mischief would end.
n Il regret exceedingly, Mrs. Bobbett
9 that l have subjected myself to you
displeasure, said the discounted squire
: twisting his fingers together, and look
V ing very miserable and red-faced.
5, .'Well, don't stand here then G
II home where you belong and you needn
y be bit sarprised, sir, if l have you u
-" before the session at their next meeting,
+" said the incensed widow, her eyes fasI
O. ing fire. Both men were SO scared tn;
they stood like petrifed men.
er "Nhere in the world did this ol
le thing come from, I'd like to know ?
IN she shrieked out, seizing hold of Il
funny flannel night-cap that was percht
er up on top of the foot-post, and she ga
e it vicious jerk, breaking the striI
he that held in the pucker in the back pa
of it, and it slipped down over the pos
l Enraged, she pulled at it violently, to
be it off and twisting it up in little wa
Ill threw it at the squire's head. '.Cle
w out | say, both of you prowling dogs
n and she stamped her little foot We
Id much in earnest, and followed them
ey the head of the stairs.
he "Mrs. Bobbett, my dear womon,'
W gan the squire. apolegetically.
ed Away with you, don't you 90 M
es, Bobbetting me!'' said she. and she ma
ut the dearest little fist, which she exten
tc. ed in the direction G his face.
ar, lodged his head, as if wasp was co
ms ing that way, and the two men shambl
sly off down stairs. She lay prone on
nd floor, in her dire distress, and cri
as ''rivers of tears" tears of sorrow, a
RS modification, and anger, and spite, a
ON grief, and disappointment. But ii
al brought an end to her agony-she gr
lgs calm and her sorrow was of the subdt
ace kind While she lay on the floor s