The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-12-06
"Only u BuitOn."

"Oh, I wouldn't Frank"
"Why not2"
"It's such bitter cold weather to trav
ell in, and Aunt Elizabeth is such {
whimsical Id woman, it's as likely a:
not that she'll change her mind abou
making will when you get there"
Mr.. Chickerly smiled.
"That would be your system of doing
things, Fanny, but not mine"
"My system, Frank, what do yor
mean ?"
81 mean that you believe in putting
things off Immediately. I wish you'd d
break yourself of that habit, Fanny.
Believe me, it will some day bring you
to grief"
81 don't believe in being lectured,
Frank"
"You need not, for am going to
pack my valise. BY the way there's 4
button off the shirt | want to wear to-
morrow. l wish you would come ur
stairs and sew it on for me-"
81 will, presently"
"Why can't you come now?"
81 just want to finish this book
there's only one more chapter"
And Fanny opened her volume sc
resolutely that her husband thought il
best not to contest the question.
Sitting all alone in front of the bright
fire. Mrs. Chickerly gradually grew
drowsy, and before she knew it she had
dropped off into the shadowy region:
of dreamland.
She was aroused by the clock strik
ing eleven.
"Dear me, how late it is, she thought
with little start 81 must go up stair.
Immediately. There, l forget to tel
the cook about having breakfast at five
tomorrow morning, and of course she's
abed and asleep by this time
And laying this salve 10 her con-
science, Mrs. Chickerly turned off the
gas and crept drowsily up the stairs.
Fanny, Fanny, it S past five and he
COOK hasn't come down stairs yet. Are
you sure you spoke to her last night p
ooh, Frank, | forgot all about speak
ing to her last night" she cried, WITH
conscience stricken face. "Bat I'll rur
right up-she can have the breakfas,
ready in a very few minutes.
She sprang out of bed, thrust her feel
into a pair of silk lined slippers, and
threw a shawl over her shoulders.
Mr.. Chickerly bit his lip and check
ed her:
"No need, Fanny" he said, little
bitterly. 81 must leave the house ir
fifteen minutes or miss the only through
train. It's of no use speaking to the
cook now."
81 can make cup of coffee mysel
over the furnace fire." she exclaimed
springing to her feet. But MIR. Chick
erly again interposed.
"Sit down, Fanny. please. I woulc
rather you would sew this button on tht
neck of my shirt. l have packed the
others-those that are fit 10 wear.
have shirts enough, but not one in re
pair"
Fanny crimsoned as she remembered
how often in the course of the last month
or two she had solemnly promised her
self to devote day to the much need
ed renovation of her husbands shirts.
The needle threaded, the thimble fit
ted on, an appropriate button was mex
to be selected.
"Oh, dear Frank, I haven't one tn
right size !"
"Sew on what you have, then, but b
quick !"
But Fanny was quite certain .her
was "just the right button" Somewher
in her work basket, and stopped t.
search for it.
"There, 1 told you SO !" she crist
triumphantly, holding it up on the
point of her needle.
"Well, we'll, sew it on quick" saic
Mr.. Chickerly, glancing at his watcl
nervously.
"That's just your worrying way
Frank; as if anybody could sew but
ton on we'll in hurry. There, III!
needle has come unthreaded !"
"Oh, Fanny, Fanny!" sighed he
husband, fairly out Of patience at last
"why didn't you do it last night, as
begged of you2 l shall miss the train
and what little chance we had of ;
place in Aunt Elizabeth's will will b'
sacrificed to your miserable habit o
being always behind hand.
Fanny gave him the shirt and begar
to whimper little, but Mr.. Chickerl.
had neither the time nor the inclination
to pause to soothe her petulant NANTES
tation of grief. He finished his dress
ing, caught up his valise with hurriedl!
spoken "good by" and ran down stairs
two steps at time, into the street.
Mrs Chickerly was sitting down t.
her little dinner, la solitaire, with
daintily Drowned chicken, tumbler o
currant jelly and curly bunch of eel
cry ranged before her, when, 10 her sur
prise the door opened and in walket
her husband.
"Why, Frank, where on earth dit
you come from?'' cried the astonishet
wife.
"From the office" coolly answere'
Mr.. Chickerly.
"But | thought you were off 70
Scenersville in such hurry 7''
81 found myself just five minutes to,
late for the train, after having run al
the way to the depot"
J ooh, that was too badi