Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-11-21
Pumpkin Pies.

barrel, gathering hops, when Tom Car
roll drove along with his wagon, piled
up with red and yellow apples, and a
big, lusciously-golden pumpkin in the
corner, and stopped at the gate.
Pinkie Immediately hoped off her
perch and hid behind the barrel; but
Tom, coming up the walk with the pump
kin, saw the edge of her pink dress.
"Can't fool me, Miss Pink Pendleton,
said he, rolling the golden sphere upon
the porch. 81 can see through more
things than barrel. There's the first
pumpkin of the season."
Pinkie scrambled up, shook out her
skirt and surveyed the pumpkin, half
wonderingly, from under the brim of her
hat, turning her back upon Tom, who,
however, only went off down the path,
whistllng carelessly, and drove off to
town with his apples.
Tom and Pinkie having INDUCED in a
neat little tiff the week before, had since
amused themselves with trying to freeze
each other, very unsuccessfully, it would
seem, judging by the warmth of temper
both could exhibit on the smallest prov
ocation. And this was the first time
Tom had called since the last "unpleas-
antness."
"Did l everl'' said Pinkie, looking
over her shoulder to see if Tom was look
| ing back, which, of course, he was,
whereat Pinkie turned scarlet and scowl-
ed, though Tom was too far off to see
that. elf he's trying to make up she
continued, "what does he be such stick
| about it for? Expects me to go two
thirds of the way, Of course; men al
ways do. But he began the row, and if
he wants to make it up, let him say so.
See through more than barrel Just
him-alwaYs insinuating things"
And Pinkie, thus foolishly tanning
her anger, sat down on the step and
kicked her toes against peck measure.
The bone of contention which had
served Tom and Pinkie with excuses for
more than one squabble was gentle
man from the city, who was spending
the summer at the farm owned by Pink
les brother-in-law, comfortable, old
fashioned homestead, with clover-carpet-
ed orchards, cooled with dense shade,
and haunted by the gurgling murmur of
a brook aud the slumberous hum of bees.
Perhaps the boarder found an added
charm, though possibly feeting one,
in Pinkie's spirited brown eyes and
piquant manners. And Pinkie-.why,
Pinkie would have been coquettish to a
MULLEN stalk and never thought serious
ly of the matter at all.
Why shouldn't she walk to church
with Mr.. Hatherton and pin red rose
bud in his coat? Why, then. should
Tom loom up like cloud and cast cold
water on her innocent amusement? To
be sure they had been the same as en-
gaged-Tom and Pinkie-since the days
they went nutting together and quarrel
ed over their grammar. But that was
DO reason-so Pinkie thought-why she
should not look at any one else.
To make matters little worse. Tom
had stylish young lady cousin visiting
at his house. whose company, Pinkie
had told him, he no doubt found very
agreeable substitute for hers, supposed
fact she thoroughly resented, notwith-
standing the proverb says it is poor
rule that will not work both ways.
But here on the porch lay Toms gift
and probable) peace-Offering for having
been unusually bitter at their last tilt
and perhaps. The scowl had depart
| ed from Pinkies forehead; her eyes
were growing tender.
Young Hatherton strolled around the
corner, with his straw hat tilted grace
fully to one side, and handful of early
wild purple asters, which he presented
, to Pinkie.
e "These," he said, ''are much NOR
u fitting offering to beauty than pump
kim"
: He pronounced the word scornfully
d he had witnessed Toms visit, and nov
: eyed the gift with much disdain, whic
/ unaccountably nettled Pinkie.
I '.They are prettier to look al" sh
!, answered, ''but | don't suppose the
: would do quite as we'll to cook
The young man shrugged his shou
o ders and sauntered away indlferently
u his gallantry of late was growing rathe
is careless and ftful.
le And Pinkie was inconsistent enoug
8 to put the asters IN her hair, and the
pull them out and throw them undt
20 the step. After this method of relie'
lie ing her feelings. she picked up tt
ID pumpkin to carry it into the kitchen
and SO made the discovery that the
y was scrap of paper attached to the b
ne of stem which remained to the pumpki
IL IL And this was written on the paper:
Id Coming over tomorrow. Forgiv
z. ness and pumpkin pies can solace an i
nd iured spirit"