The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-07-27
MRS. SMITHS NEIGHBORS.

| know it is not very kind to make COM
ments upon the affairs Of ones neighborS,
and yet there are some things that have
seen al the Jones (which, by the way, are
practiced by other families as WELL } which
L feel justified in calling attention to.
NeIghbor Jones is very obligng man,
always ready to do a friendly turn, and
Mrs. Jones is an active, stirring woman and
it would be rather agreeable than other
wise to have them living so close by, if it
were nor for one troublesome habit of
. theirs. In order that you may have some
idea uf what this habit is will narate the
intercourse that passed between us one day A.:
On Monday morning, while | was turn
ing the wringer for Bridget, Mary Jones
walked in, saying
MA forgot to tell father to get some blue
when he vent to the sore Saturday night,
and she wants to know if ynu would lend
her your bottle for about ten mi lutes."
Now i happened that | wanted to use
the blue bottle myself just at that time, but
( | poured some of its cont tents into a smaller
/ bottle for the child, and she went on her
way rejoicing.
Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed
when Willie Jones made his appearance at
the door, inquiring
lis Mr. Smith at home? / can't find
him at the barn.
NO, he isn't at home. He went to the
city this morning"
Pap wants 10 know If you will lend us
your whcelbarrow little while ours is
wore ont
replied in the affirmative, and he went
TO the wood house where he knew it WAS
kept. Presently be returned with a long
face. saying
The axle's broke, so you can't haul
noihin' on it,"
I'm sorry it's broke. - quietly replied
''hut believe no one has used il since You
brough: ii back last Friday
lie lonked rather sheepish at this, but
started for home withuu showing any de-
size 1" prolrpg the conversation.
BY and 10y discovered that there was 4
screw loose in the wringer. whicl: prevent
I'd its working properly, and | sent Freddy
for the screw driver. He soon returned
with the information that it was not IN the
/. tool chest. | was sdrpriseC at this but
presently | remembered that neignbpr
Jones had borrowed ii on Saturday 20 mend
a broken door lock. | sent Freddy after
the missing article, and it was nearly half
an hour before | cusld continue my wiring
ing with any satisfaction.
BY eleven O'Clock we had cur clothes ont
and we're preparing for dinner, when Mary
Jones came in again in great haste. eX-
claiming, "Oh. Mrs. Smith. could YOU lend
us loaf of bread for dinner? Mother was
out of Hnnr, and couldn't make bnt two
leaves of bread on Saturday {; but pap is
going to the mill this afternoon, and mothcr
i'll send it back tomorrow
| knew from Ia>t experiences that the
loaf that would come back on the morrow
wonlG be either sour or heavy, and would
be given to the dog nnicss some tramp
came along. But ] Immediately granted
ahe request. Mr.. Jones did GO tn the mill
in The afternoon. and III the evening Willie
came after cup of yeast, because theirs
was sour, and just about gone anyhow"
In the meantime John came back from
The city and wanted to use the wheelbar-
ruw. but he had to take it to the shop to be
mended instead. Then he concluded to
put in the time splitting wood. but the axe
Eas 1t neic chbor Jones, aud 10y the time
Charley had gone for ii and brought it
home supper was ready. While we were
ealing supper John said
MARY, think ! siIaH follow the example
of farmer read of recently. and buy Il
set Of tools ON purpose to lend. II won o
be cheaper than losing so much :ime hunt
ing up ones p'operty.'
"no. John | replied. emphaiically,
''and buy me another blue bottle and yeast
po, and three or more flat irons"
Then we both laughed, but We were
half in earnest after all"
Dear reader. if you have neighbnr WIN
cnncs borrowing just lend her a copy oi
this and ask her tn read this article. Per
hal,s she will take the hint.