Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-13

She smiled mischievously. "S'pose
I'd own it II thought I'd come off
spindaRo"
"That's jist like wimmin," said .ar.
Plum; they're so queer. Own itP
Yes. I'd proclaim il from Dan TO Beer
sheba. and no serve as warnin'." His
wife laughed. "All wimmin are cut
in the same pattern, b'lieve. There's
Nancy, now! Expect she'd eat her
tongue sooner'n step up tine n say,
| Father, Sam abuses me-"
"Itll be sleighin' to morrow, /
guess" Mrs. Plum rose and went to the
window. Why. the grounds white
already shading her eyes with her
hands and peering into the darkness.
That's like wimmin, too,' chuckled
Mr.. Plum. when you git the better
of 'em in an argument they alters change
the subject"
The morrow came, and with it all OF
the married ofishoots of the house Of
Plum. Fist came Sarah, with children
three-husband to follow when the
choreswcre done. She bore special COM
mission as serving maid from her mother,
and she smilingly accepted the honor.
The kitchen and keeping room were
crowded with happy faces long before
noon. New dresses were displayed in
small knots OF mutual admiration faces.
LOUD voices and impromptu jests were
the order of things, crowned by hearty
bursts of laughter. in the midst of il
all the mother and grandmother moved
with ar anxious face, lest some unto
ward happening spoil the fun. Grand
father constituted himself butt for the
childish mirth. and his ringing laugh
sounded younger than theirs.
Twelve o'clock struck. The matrons
came back from the church. The big
turkey roasting in the oven began to
steam fragrantly; the fat sparerib in
the other began TO hiss and sputter as
the mistress of the feast turned it over
with sprinklings of salt and pepper. The
children were made hungry by the smell
and clamored loudly for dinner, and
were appCased with thick cuts of ginger
| bread. which they went around munch-
| ine-with Copious crumbles-to adults
/ dissatisfaction
Two o'clock struck. The long tables
assumed the functions OF spring, and
/ leaved out with aston ishing rapidity.
/ Children were thrust into an adjoining
bedroom 10 be got out of the way. when
/ they set up series OF agonizlng
chorusos. The blue-edged crockery
kept ANONYMOUSLY in the pantry, while
fair, white china arranged itself on the
board. Pickles and preserves crcpt side
by side; " cold slaw" brimmed huge
bowls; jelly quaked and quivered; :;
| hearty brown bread did not disdain
to lie alongside OF its paler relative
I'VE mays well give up seein' Nancy
iust rs last" sighed Mrs. Plum, as she
beat up the lumpy squash with butter.
I've KEEP hopin' she'd get here yit, out
she won't. I know she's feelin' ike
death about it. thinkin' OF ycu a.l
here, kept herself juicy look u, for
your Cress, dear! You'l burn II gains.
that stove"
" She has not met with US in three
years answered Sarah, rather resent
fully, pounding the turnip.
"T'aint her fault. Sam always has
some excuse. Last year II was tn e
baby warn't old enough to bring and
they couldn't leave it Though Minta
brought hers, which WAS two months
younger.
ITS my opinion reioined Sarah,
with an emphatic toss of her head,
that he's ashamed to face US alto
gether; he's carried on 80 that he must
feel guilty, il he's got any conscience -
Three o'clock-and the magic word,
dinnerl' echoed through the crowd
The mothers eyes glanced at Nancy's
chair and filled. She would let no one
occupy it. Hor heart is here she
said, in low voice, "if her body Is
not.n