The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1884-05-08

would Mrs. Pepper recommend
He hoped she'd give his little wom-
an the benefit of her advice. IL
fact, nothing would please him bet
than to bavo his wife model herself
after such lady.
In the end he walked of with the
sewing machine.
Mrs. Pepper did her own stitching
by hand, and waited for it.
So Christmas time came, aud with
it cards for party. The Stacks sc
hoped they'd all come.
Having accepted, what was more
natural than to take an interest 10
the proceedings9 To lend sugar
aud the ice-cream freezer, butter aud
the egg beater, the cut-glass goblets
aud the best table~cloths, the spice
box entire, and lots Of other things.
Finally, Mrs. Slack, with her gown
tucked up, aud her eyes sparkling,
ran 10 to say that they thought n
dance would be nice, and coutd Mrs
Pepper spare the piano for one eve
ming L?
There's nobody to move it,
said Mrs. Pepper, rejoiced to have
an excuse. "l'm SO sorry"
Mrs Slack laughed, and went TO
the window. -Four big laborers ap-
peared, and without auy prelimi-
nary directing shouldered the in
strumont aud lusged it away. They
bumped it against fences, and fairly
tumbled down in ploughed field,
before they finished their mission /;
but by main strength they got it at
last to the Slacks' door and Mrs.
Slack took her leave, carrying the pi.
ano- stool and cloth herself.
The appearance OF her adored pi-
ano gave Mrs. Pepper great deal
Of unbapp mess that evening. !,
had deep scratch on the cover, and
one OF the keys wouldn't lift. llow-
ever, she played waltzes and sets for
the d ,nceis most OF the evening, and
as the company went to supper in
relays--old folks first, and young
folks last, as Mrs. Slack said-found
very little left but cup Of cold cof
fee and a turkey bone when her
duties were finished.
Add yet she did not give Mrs.
Slack piece of her mind, as she
had intended. We oil have some
particular weakness. Mrs. Pep
pei's was the desire for praise, for
gratitude, when she did kind things,
and Mrs. Slack had squeezed her by
both hands, aud said:
"Oh, how sweet you are ! knew
you would be before ever spoke to
you, by your face. l never bad a
sister. And do you know what l
say to Mr.. Slack .? She's the sister
of my soul. She is just too lovely
for anything"
And SO she waited for tho return
Of her piano for week, without a
murmur.
But there is an end to everything,
Ono day she saw Mrs Slack driving
up the road in the minister's new
light wagon, wearing her mantilla,
and saw her stop, with her usual
little giegle, at the garden gate
Mr.. Pepper had taken a holiday,
aud was lying in the hammock,
reading nnd she had her sewing
under the old oak trees, and was
extremely happy and comfortable.
IL Mrs. Slack had como to ask her
to drive, she had resolved not to go.
She should say: "My husband has
30 few holidays, 1 can not leave HON o
to-day" But Mrs. Slack did no
such thing.
You dear, good soul |" she cried
as soon as she was within speaking
distance, "rve come to borrow your
husband !"
ITO borrow what I" calculated
Mrs. Pepper
Your husband" said Mrs. Slack.
"Slack is in Boston. rm going to a
picnic. | want beau and some one
to drive. May have him 7"
"You ought to ask Mr.. Pepper
himself" said Mrs. Pepper, very
coldly.
81 shan't' said Mrs Slack, play
fully. II came to borrow him OF
you. You'll lend him, won't you I
And I shall tell every one, that
good angel, Mrs. Pepper, lent me
her husband"
Mrs. Slack was looking very pret-
ty. The embroitlered mantilln be-