Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-10-23
Mrs. Primkins' Surprise.

Mrs. Primkins' Surprise.
Mrs. Primkins was alone in the
house, and she began to talk to herself
over a letter when she held open in her
hand. Ii was from the mother of Nim-
po. little girl who was boarding with
Mrs. Primkins, and il contained ten
dollar blu.
wants to have 4 birthday party
Humph! l must say | can't see the
good of pampering childrens' folks now
days, When was young. now, we
had something to think of besides fine
clothes. unwholesome food, and world
ly dissipation, | must say think Mis-
RIevor has some very uncommon no
tions, Hows'ever," she went on, con-
templating fondly the bill she still held
in her hand. 81 do knows | have any
call to fret my gizard if she chooses to
potter away her money. l don't see
nv way clear to refuse altogether to do
what she asks, as long as the child's
on my hands. Ten dollars. Humph !,
She hopes it'll be enough to provide a
little supper for them" It's my prl-
vate opinion that it will, and mite
over for-for-other things" she ad-
ded, resolutely closing her lips with a
snap. 81 amt such a shiftless mana
ger as all that comes TO, do hope. 1t
won't take no ten dollars to give a
birthday party in my house, | bet a
cookey"
That night when supper was over,
Nimpo sat down with the family by the
table, which held one candle that dim
ly lighted the room, to finish book
she was reading. Not that the kitchen
was the only room in the house. Mrs
Primkins had plenty of rooms, but they
were too choice for everyday use. They
were always tightly closed, with green
paper shades down, lest the blessed
sunshine should get a peep at her
gaudy red and green carpets, and put
the least mellowing touch on their
crude and rasping colors. Nimpo
thought of the best parlor with sort
of awe which she never felt toward
rny room in her mothers house.
'.Nimpo," said Mrs. Primkins at last
when she had held back the news till
Nimpo had finished her book, and was
about TO go up stairs, ''wait bit. Il
got letter from your ma to-day"
Did you,r exclaimed Nimpo, quite
alarmed. "Oh, what is the matters"
Don't fly into tificks. Nothing is
the NATTER" said Mrs. Primkins.
"Is she coming home?"
"No, not yet" fell like cold water on
her warm hopes. ''But she says to-
morrow is your birthday"
"why, so it is," said Nimpo, reflect
ing. 81 never thought of it"
..Wal, she thinks perhaps I'd best let
Won have a few girls to tea oil that day,
if ii won't be too much of a chore for
me-" Mrs. Primkins went on.
NImpo's face was radiant. "oh,
Mrs. Primkins. if you Willy! But II
fell again. "But where could they beg
for trespassing on the dismal glories
of the Primkins' parlor had never en-
tered her widest dreams.
I've thought of that" said Mrs.
Primkins. grimly. "Of course, L could
not abide a pack of young ones tramp
ing up my best parlor carpet, and
thought mebbe I'd put few things up
in the second story, and let you have
'em there"
The second story was uk furnished.
''Oh, that will be splendid, said
Nimpo eagerly. "But-but, y she
hesitated-'could they take tea here:"
and she glanced around the kitchen,
which was parlor, sitting room, dining
room, and, in fact, almost the only
really useful room i'm the house. The
front part Mrs. Primkins enjoyed as
olher people enjoy pictures, or other
beautiful things-looking at them but
not using them
No: | shall set the table in the back
chamber, and let you play in the front
chamber. We can put some chairs IN
and I'm sure bare floor is more suit
able for a pack of young Ones"
Mrs. Primkins always spoke of chill
drsn as wild beasts, who must be en-
dur.d, to be sure, but carefully looked
after, like wolves or hvenas-
"Oh, yes, We wouldn't be afraid OF
hurting thatl Oh, that'll be splendid"
continued Nimpo, as the plan grew on
her. Il thank you so much, Mrs.
Primkins and we'll be so carefulp'
.Humph ~ said Mrs. Primkins, not
thinking it necessary to tell her that her
mother had sent money to cover the ex-
pense. "You're a master hand to
promise"
81 know 1 forget sometimes" SAID
Nimpo, penitently. ''But III really
try to be careful this time"
"wal," said Mrs, Primkins, in con-