The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-06-04
MRS. BAKERS RELIGION
BY FLoRENcn b. HAIIowEII

'N1rs Baker, ma wants to know if you
can't come and sit up with granny to-
night. She's worse, and ma N Tilly's
bout warn out"
Mrs. Baker was frying crullers on the
kitchen stove when little Tom Marsh came
in to deliver his message. She had been
at work all day, and was tired, warm and
considerably out of temper. She was GER
tainly in anything but mood to confer
favors.
''No, can't" she snapped, turning
upon little Tom q face scarlet from the
glow of the hot fire. "Your mother ought
to know bettern to send for me- ] told
her only yesterday that was up to my
eyes iii work, and that l expected com
pany tomorrow. She'll have to find
some one else. Goodness knows, put
myself out enough for folks without being
called on to be sck-nurse," and she re-
sumed her frying, while Tom ran home to
report his non success.
Mother, said Madge, coming into the
kitchen just as Mrs. Baker. having fin
ished the frying of the crullers, was re-
moving the kettle of lard from the stove.
'pve fixed the spare room up beautifully.
] know you'll be pleased with it. And
tomorrow I'll fill the mantel-vases with
flowers just before Mr.. and Mrs. Spear
come And mother" very timidly,
''would you be willing for me to ask the
Shakespeare club to meet here next Tues
day evening? They have never met here,
and I've been a member over a year,.
"You must be out of your senses, 4"
said Mrs. Baker, GROSSLY. ''Do you sup
pose I'd let two dozen people come trape-
sing over my parlor carpet, and breaking,
tearing and burning everythingq Pm
not SO foolish
"You speak as if they were so many
Wild animals, mother, said Madge, in a
tone of some resentment.
"They act like wild animals" said
Mrs Baker. "rd like to know if they
didn't burn up one of Mrs. Clarke's lace
curtainsW
"That was an accident" said Madge,
"and not likely to occur second time.
Mary Lewis pushed gas jet to one side
so as to see the glass better, and didn't
notice that she pushed it right into the
curtain. Mrs. Clarke didn't blame her
at ALL"
"She can afford to have her curtains
burned up, perhaps. can't. Don't
argue the snbject, Madge. When / say
no mean it, as you ought to have
learned by this time"
81 have learned that aud good many
other things, too, mother. know
often wish was back at boarding
school,
"Its like you to say thatl 1t shows
your ingratitude."
II don't mean to be ungrateful, but ]
know you don't make things very pleas
ant for me at home. Susie Clarke could
have the club at her house every night in
the week if she wanted to"
"There, that's enough Go upstairs
until you can learn to control your tenn
per-" said Mrs. Baker, going into the
pantry; and Madge went out, closing the
door behind her with good deal OF un'
necessary noise.
"You look tired, Sarah," said Johr
Baker, coming in as his wife was putting
supper on the table.
1--we good cause to look so, was the
response. '1've worked like a galley
slave ever since sunrise"
"Where's Madge beenY'
ooh, never depend on Madge. AnC
might work my fingers to the bon,
without its affecting her In the least"
''You do the child injustice, Sarah
She's always willing to help, as far as
see.n
s'You never see very far"
'Perhaps not. By-the-way," with ;
very natural wish to change the subject
''Hiram Long shot old Miss Starts COW
to-day. You know he said he would i
Il ever broke into his corn-patch again
The old lady's bout wild over it."
'Serves her right!n said Mrs. Baker
curtly.
THAT amt Christian like. Sarah.
''He gave her warnings enough, saiC
Mrs. Baker, ''and she knew he was tn
sort of man to keep promise OF tina
kind. Why didn't she keep the Gov
tied up9'
''She said the creature would breal
loose no matter how she tied her. And
does seem hard case, The COW wa