Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-09-21
ISESS.

| Mr.. John Bayberry strobe into The
house, and stamped along the hall, and
through all the rooms below stairs,
Gashing open every door he came to and
leaving it so, until he reached the kitch-
en-, which he found deserted like all the
other rooms for even black Aunt Peg
had forsaken it, and was out i'll the
back yard, hanging out the Monday
wash.
HAS everybody evaporated ?" de-
manded Mr.. Bayberry, grimly address
ing space,
Receiving no reply, he banged open
vet another door, which swung back
against precarious and shaky shelf,
thus upsetting the equilibrium OF a
brass candlestick, fat-iron and three
Tin cans, and they all went humping
down on to the floor together.
Bess was in the pantry, washing of
the shelves with hot soapsuds; for Bess
was busy little body, and insisted on
performing certain part Of the house
L
hold duties every day.
She was standing on a cheese box
during the present performance-tor
Bess was so shert she could not reach
the second shetland she had a big
table-cloth pinned over her dress, and
her silky hair twisted tight upon the
top of her head and pinned with three
great hair pins, that bristled up and
looked like three pair of budding horns.
She heard the rapid footsteps outside,
and smiled.
"That's Uncle John" said she, land
he wants somebody likely. But can't
60 just yet. Men always want some
thing or somebody"
And she went on, calmly removing a
row of lelly-glasses, every one dark
and rich with its luscious oontonts-
Then she was startled by the thump-
ing
"Dear me !" said Bess, dropping the
wing with which she had been brushing
the shelf. "I suppose if some one don't
go, he won't scruple to tumble the
the house over and where Aunt julie
is, the man in the moon couldn't tell.
She jumped off the cheese-box, care
fully holding up the table-cloth to avoid
stepping on it, and opened the pantry
door. Aunt julie had also appeared, In
loose, green wrapper, from which a
piece of torn rufling, two yards in
length, was dragging on the floor, with
an old magazine, minus its covers, in
her hand,
Dear me, john" began Aunt julie,
looking injured.
"And dear me - interrupted Mr..
Bayberrv, "if this house had legs, 1t
might run away twenty times over and
no one to prevent. Come out of there.
Bess, and both of you listen I've got
some abominable news. julie, your late
lamented's cousin, that tall, eIectioneer-
ing widow, wants to come down here
and board all summer, with her
daughter. dear Leonie, who modestly
wishes to give her numerous lovers the
slip. and rusticate at 'dear Meadow
lands There's no end of dears in hel
letter, and string of compliments that
are all in her eye, I'll wager my biggest
squashl"
Mr.. Bayberry's sister sat down, look
ing helpless anu mournful; but black
eyed Bess, whose ideas and opinions one
could never foresee, favored the cause
of her kinswoman. though they had
made point of ignoring her com
pleteIy.
"Do let them come, Uncle John !
said she. 81 always did want to SEE
my stylish cousins awfully !"
"Oh," answered Mr.. Bayberry, shrug
ging his broad shoulders, eff you wan
to cook, and iron, and slave for two fin,
city relations that don't take the trouble
to remember your existence, go ahead
Write to 'em to come, by all means
but don't expect me to tend to 'em ant
hold their yarn and turn their music
while they squeal sentimental song
into my ears"
Goodness, Uncle John !" inter
rupted Bess ono one would suppos
how warmly you praised DR.. Dare
last sermon on charity, to hear you TAX
on !"
"Hold your tongue, Miss Imperti
nence !" answered Mr.. Bayberry, as h
stalked away.
But there was flush on his cheek
and perhaps his conscience echoed Bess
reproof. For Mr., Bayberry's word
and manners occasionally EXPIRE sseC
more harshness than was IN his heart
and, owing to his rather irascible tenn
per. few dared to take the liberty tt
ecture him.
Bess, who was not his niece at al!
but only the niece of his late brother in
law. was one of tie few; and thong
she sometimes stood half in awe of hln
herself, there was a conscieutiou
straightforWardnes about her whicl