Smyrna times., 1877-09-19
Mrs. Smiths Neighbors.

| hhoW II Is not very kind to make com
ments upon the affairs of ones neighbors
and yet there are some things that have
| seen at the Joneses (which, by the way. are
practlced by other families as well,) which
leel justified in calling attention to.
Nelghbor Jones is very obliging man,
always ready to do friendly turn, and
MIS- Jones is an active, stirring woman.
ana 1t would be rather agreeable than
otheIwlse to have them living SO close
by, II 1t were not for one troublesome habit
OF thelrs. n order that you may have
some idea OF what this habit is | will rate
day. OO'' "' '''0
On Monday morning, while | was nrp.
ing the wringer for Bridget, Mary Jones
walked in, saying:
" Ma forgot to tell father to get some
o!ue when he went to the store Saturday
night, and she wants to know if Won would
lend her your blue bottle for about ten
minutes
Now it happened that wanted to use
the blue bottle myself lust at that time.
but poured some of its contents into -
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:
:" Is Mr.. Smith at home? can't find
him at the barn"
No, he isn't at home lie went to the
city this morning"
Zap wants to know if you will lend us
your wheelbarrow little while ours is
wore out"
replied III the affirmative, and he went
70 the wood house where he knew it was
Kept Presently he returned with a long
face. saying: o
The axle's broke so you can't haul
nothin' on it,"
!, m sorry it's broke" quietly replied,
out helleve no ono has used it since Won
brought it back last Friday"
lie looked rather sheepish at this. but
started for home without showing any
deslre TO prolOng the conversation.
By and by discovered that there was a
screw loose IN the wringer, which prevented
lis working properly, and sent Freddy for
the screw driver. He soon returned with
the information that it was not in the tool
chest. was surprised at this, but presently
! remembered that neighbor Jones had
borrowed 1t on Saturday to mend n broken
door lock. | sent Freddy after tho MISSING
article, and it was nearly half an hour be.
lore could continue my wringinc with anv
satisfaction
by ! o'clock, we had our clothes ont
and were 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 flour, and couldn't make but two
loaves on Saturday. but pap is going to the
Ihiil TINS afternoon, and mother will send
1t back tomorrow.
knew from past experience that the
loaf that would come back on the morrow
would be either sour or heavy, and would be
gwen to the dog unless some tramp came
along But | Immediately granted the
request. Mr.. Jones did go to mill in the
afternoon, and IN the evening" Willie came
utter cup OF yeast, because theirs was
sour, ana Just about gone anyhow"
=, In the meantime, John came back from
the CITY and wanted to use tho wheel |
barrow, but had to take it to the sbon 70 |
be mended instead. Then he concluded |
to put in the time splitting wood bnt tho |
axe was at neighbor Jones, and bv the |
Time Charley had gone for it and brought |
1t nome, supper was ready. While we |
we're eating supper John said
Mary, think | shall follow the ex.
ample of farmer | read of recently. and
ouy set OF tools on purpose to lend. 1t
Nvonld be cheaper than losing so much
.ime hunting up ones property"
DO, John," | replied emphatically,
. ana buy me another blue bottle and
yeast pot, and three or four more fiat
rons." ''
Then we both laughed, but we were half
n earnest after all.
Dear reader, if you have a neighbor
Who resembles the Joneses, the next time
he comes borrowing just lend her a copy
'f this paper and ask her to read this
'rticle. Perhaps she will take the hint.
----s --
John Rnrroilrhs in hia M R;rdn .A