Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-05-22
MAJOR PEcK's MISTAKE.

It was Monday morning In heos'ohe
street. The bosrders were all inclined
20 be cross on Monday mornings-that
was perhaps inseparabls from the weak
ness of humanity. The wash-boilsr was
big and the stove was little-that was
perhaps the reason that the coffee was
cold and the chops undone. The one
servant was over-worked-that was
doubtless the reason that SO many extra
tolls camo upon Mrs. Moody's slender
shoulders Of q Monday. But when the
breakfast, with Its endless criticism and
perpetual fault-findings, had come to
an end, Mrs. Moody carried little tray
into Major Peck's room.
The Major was little lame and =
good deal ny pochondriacal, and always
breakfasted in his own room. He was
particular, and consequently occupied
the best rooh in the house.
The Major WAS tall, fne-looking
man, with an imposing presence, good
deal of bald forehead, and = great apti-
tude At Scripture quotations, and all the
nsighbors said what comfort it must
be to Mrs. Moody to have such
boarder.
They did not know that the Major was
4 distant cousin Of the deceased Mr..
Moody, and did not consider 1t ncces-
sary to pay his board very regular on
that account. But he gave her q good
deal of excellent advice, when there was
anything wrong about the table.
$50 kind of him to take such an in
terest in me-" said the little widow fer
vsntly.
The Major had brushed the two wisps
Of hair crosswise over the peak Of his
bald head this morning, cologned his
pocket handkerchief, and trimmed his
flbert-s shaped finger nails to perfection,
and he was waiting in the big easy
chair for his breakfast iull i've minutes
before It arrived.
"You'ro late this morning, Mrs.
Moody" he observed, reproachfully.
81 ain little late" apologstically re-
marked Mrs. Moody, "but Sarah Jane
was bohindhanG. There's = regular
Scotch mist in the air, and the kitchen
chimney would not draw. Try new
boiled egg, Major. And the bacon Is
good, l know, for | cooked it myself"
"Humph humph :" said the Major.
"You ought to be a little particular
with your breakfasts, Mrs. Moody.
They are the initial meal Of the day,
you know. This coffee is not as coed as
usual. 1t isn't real Java, Mrs. Moody
It tastes like Maracaibo."
81 paid Java price for it," said Mrs.
Moody, neekly; "and the grocer war
ranted it,"
"You can never depend upon what
these trsdespeopl. say" grunted the
Major, with his mouth full Of egg and
bacon. "By-the-way, /, it possible, Mrs.
Moody, that you have taken that opera
man into your third-story hall bed
room! heard 1t, but couldn't bring
my mind to believe it,"
"He isn't a singer, Major" pleaded
ths trembling Mrs. Moody. "And he
doesn't play the nuts or the cornet. 1
took particular pains to inquire all
about that. He's engaged in writing =
musical book-something which is to be
quite wonderful-xnd in the meantime
he supports himself by playing the
third violin in the theatre; for he is
very poor and"
"Poor"" snortsd the Major, setting
down the cup Of despised Maracaibo ;
Gin your circumstances, Mrs. Moody,
you have no business in taking poor
bsarders."
eyes, know it, Major, but he has
just been sick, and he looks so pale and
wretched-"
"There 1t 10 again J" cried poor Major
Peck. ga woman 10 SO easily taken in.
l tell you, Mrs. Moody, the nan is an
impostor and SO you'll nna it."
"Desr, dear :" said Mrs. Moody, the
startled tears coming into her faded
blue eyes.
"And II you will not take my advice. -
said the Maior wsYino momentaril =