Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-10-03
TIE 0llea Fealher.


as be finished screwing new lock to
his front door. Sam. Of course. needn't
have said 'sthat's . pet" unless he
liked; but he used to think that it was
great shame that women were called
all sorts Of pretty names before they
were married, but none afterwards
"T saw" says Sam, ''many OF the
poor creatures are cheated with them
three pretty names; poor folks they
lhink they 4 always ges them; but they
become miehlN scarce asfer fae hngeF
is in the ring"
We don't mean to tell all the names
Sam called his wife before they were
married; but now he called her "Pet;"
and as soon as she heard. the loving
word, she threw down her duster on the
chair, and sped of 10 the kitchen for
the task. The flask had a feather in
it, as such TASKS generally have; and
Sam taking the sand feather between
bis fore-inger and thumb, oiled the
key of the street-door right well, and
then locked it and unlocked il dozen
times. AT first il went stiff and required
some strength of wrist TO turn il; but,
as it was worked to and fro, and the
oil began 10 make its way into the
wards, IL worked more and more easily.
At last, Tommy, Sans little son,
who was standing by. was able to turn
it almost with touch; and then Sam
pronounced that il would do.
The operation finished, Sam thought
he'd just give his knife touch Of the
end Of the feather; less than drop out
Of the flask would do; just mere touch
that was all il wanted; and presently, to
young Tommy's great delight, the father
made the blade 60 up and down, click,
click. Tommy evidently approved ofthe
result, for he began to click with his
tongue and the roof OF his mouth, IN
imitation; and how long he might have
DELAYED his father, we can't tell, If 1t
were not that Mrs. Parsons caught him
up in her arms and made off with him,
she calling Tommy a "saucy rogue,
and kissing him on the way, and be on
his part click, clicking, as though his
mouth were a cutters shop and you
were opening and shutting every knife
IN il.
Some folks might think that Sam Par
sons had done enough IN the oiling way
for one day; but there was one thing
more to do, and then he would be quite
ready 70. take has Pntatnes tn market
One or two of the wheels of the wagon
had been trifle creaky, and 50 he took
the grease pot, and gave them a touch
of its contents. You could have rolled
all he put on them into the size OF a
couple of marbles, but it was quite
enough; the wheels gave over their
creaking. If the old proverb be true
"SIIence gives consent" no doubt they
approved Of what Sam had done.
"Now. then, Pm of to market, said
Sam. "Good bye, Jennie, pet" Or
that little word ''pet," didn't the cum
ming fellow oil his wife's temper and
even almost her veryjoints, for her day;
work, when he called her that little
namei "GOod bye, Tommy, my darl'
ing" Oh, you cunning man, there
YOU are with your oiled feather again
for when Tommy was naughty, and hi
mother reminded him that she must tel
his father when he came home, and
''father would be sore grieved IT hii
darling was naughty" wasn't Tommy
good for, child though he was, ne was
able to reason thus much in his mind
Tommy is fathers darling, and he won
vex him; darlings ought not to vex those
who love them. Never mind, gooC
reader, if there's flaw in the logic
nursery logic is some times very funny
reasoning, but il answered the purpose
naughty Tommy became good, and
click-clicked about the house as merry
as cricket, instead Of sprawling and
bawling on the ground; and all because
his father happened to cab him "darl
ing" before he went out.
al say, Polly" said Sam Parsons tC
hIs one scrvant-maid, as he left the
house, ''don't forget to clean up thos'
irons, II yoH can manage it, there's ;
good lass: you'll find the oil-fask hang
ing behind the kitchen door," And so
with a cheerful smile on his cOunte
nance, Sam Parsons took his departure
for market. Ali cunning Sam; before
ne went Ne OiiSu us VIC 9h0 SLaANs ~as
now he oiled his servant-maid; and wheI
he turned his back upon his own door
he left smiling faces and glad hearts be
hind him, and | warrant, he found then
all smiling TO receive him when he came
home.
"I have great faith in oil, said Ss n
Parsons; ''I oil almost everything; thi
very morning I oiled the lock of M
street-door, and my Penknife, ant
creased nv wagon wheels; and ] oile'
nv wife and child; snd | gave the ser
vant-maid a touch too; and tell yo'
what It is, neighbOr Joe. slip along IA
mously, where find many another stick
fast"
.Rusty Joe's" torn nail seemed q
give him fresh twinge when the pen
knife was spoken about; and so as t.
the wife, his conscience reminded bin
how bearishly he behaved to her a
breakfast.
"What do you mean BY oiling you
wife, man - said Rusty joe" rathe
tartIy; .'you havn't been sneaking, have
you, and knocking under to . woman 2
and Rusty Joe" edged away from
Polished Sans" side, as though b.
were near some shiny serpent.