Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1878-01-31
Our Storp GtlIrr.
TAKEN AT HIS WORD.

A wide eook-kitchen, with breath
grape blossoms coming in at the open wi,
vows, and glstening tin pan on the tab
,ull OF dewy scarlet Strawberries waiting
be hulled-this is our scene and our dr.
mats pcrsone consist of Mrs. Perkins
whose dro"sily-clicking knitting-n- -edles
Keep time to the purr of the overerow
maltese cat and a pretty young girl witt
rather a flushed face, who had just entere,
rom doorway leading to the hall
Well said Mrs Perkins. looking NJ
with that lneffable wise expression whici
is impaired to the human countenanee h,
round silver spectacles perched obliquelv OF
the bridge of the nose, ''he amt asleep
is he p
Yes, he is. was the answer.
uiory be thanked for that at least .
said Mrs Perkins, apparently impnling
herself on u long knitting needle, which.
however entered harmlessly into the horu
sheatir that she wore at her side. encased
III Il scolloped red flannel. There will be
five minutes of peace, at least You're
tired amt you, Dora Z"
Yes, said fheodora White, II am ra-
ther tired"
But her languid voice spoke plainly that
the more accurate phrase would have been
very tired"
Theodora White was tender, soft-eyed
girl Of eighteen, with complexion of pear
~ clearness, and rose apiece on her cheeks
ID girl with pure, straight nose and ii
dlmple on her chin, and a pretty pleading
way OF looking at you when she spoke
She sat down beside the window, where the
lSnonnette-scented grape blossoms were
swaylng in the summer air, and leaned her
forehead against the easement
Mrs. Perkins eyed her with an owl-like
glance of sympathy.
It's Il shame. so it is," said Mrs. Per-
kins, emphatically. "A man hasn't no bn-
siness to be so tryin'-no. not IF h. - 80
ick forty times Overt ssaeId,
-tnts ain t-right and tother thing is wrong
That's the way he keeps it up. Ia as soon
wait on the old boy himself" j"
Theodore SMILED family, and arched her
eyebrows
why. Mrs Perkins, you don't mean
to compare my Uncle Joseph with 50 OBJ
noxious a parsonage as you allude to!
she said demurely.
We'll said Mrs. Perkins, rehcctively |
'they amt so unlike, after all declare,
sometimes, when he gets in his tantrums,
I've two minds and half to give him
good shakin'. There amt no sense in
mans bein' so unreasonable. You can't
please him no way you can fix it."
1--WE can at least try, Mrs Perkins"
Yes, and that's jest what's spilin' him.
He knows very well that if he was to want
the moon, you'd hunt up the longest step
ladder and try to reach it down. 1t al aysI
did spoil children to let em have all they
want and your Uncle Joseph amt nothin
but a grown-up child"
But don't let him have all he wants,
Mrs Perkins"
And a pretty Ike tie o fish there'd be if
you did Humph." and the old house
keeper pounced upon her ball as II she had
for u moment, identified it with the person
are under discussion
1t mightn't be such n n'd iie','
Theodore, after moment 'houS
/ lence.
BE you crazy?" demanded Mrs. Per
kins, tartly.
"IIusA p Theodore started from her seat
with upliftcd finger He is awake he
wants me.
And she was gone, swift noseless as a
white winged dove, before Mrs. Perkins
could volunteer to go in her stead.
Yes" said Mrs Perkins to herself, "lt
Is a shame. He seems to think she's made
of cast iron and India rubber-thc old tor
mentl"
With this rather illogical expression oI
her opinion, Mrs Perkins resumed her KNIT
! ting more vigorously than ever.
Meanwhile Theodore FASTENED up stars
a into a closely curtained slcGroo.n, where q
querrulous old gentleman lay, tortured witt
! great deal of 'Hypo' and a very htt
) actual illness. But Uncle Joseph hit
i chose to believe that he was very i'll; am
: who, pray. was better judge OF the stat
: of his bodily health than himself
y He screwed his face up into the semblanc
d of a nut-crackcr as his niece hurried en-
e tered the apartment and came to his bed
!, side. IN !,
= ..rve been humping on the floor TIL M
Il arms are ready to drop out OF their sockets
he groaned. '.Are you all deaf down stairs
or has old Perkins forgotten there is an
= one in the world but herself and her snui
box ?"
I'm very sorry, uncle?'
Actions speak louder than words
snarled Uncle Joseph, ungraciously.
How do you feel now, Uncle Joseph
r asked Theodore, soothingly.
n '.rm worse"
= Are youY'
! "Palsu llgher-skin hot face fushel
- of course Fn worse. Ths confouniel h