The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-01-09
MRS. SLACK & MRS. PEPPER.

Mrs. Slack was next neighbor to the Peppers
when they bought q cottage at Sea View, and
on the very first night she tumbled over the
scattered bits of furniture in the passage, and
appeared in their midst unexpectedly to Dor
row q little salt She said it was so nice to
have neighbors again, and that Mrs Pepper
looked so sweet she knew she wouldn't mind.
At midnight she reused them from their
slumbers to inquire il they had any cholera
mixture, for little Peter had been eating too
many green apples, and she thought he would
die. She said she was thankful Mrs. Pepper
had moved in, and that but for that circum-
stance she might have lost her darling. Mrs.
Pepper was thankful, too, and the two women
embraced with tears, and Mrs. Slack also Dor
rowed some mustard for a plaster
The next day she sent Peter, fully recovered,
and his pockets full of green fruit, to ask for
the axe, the handle having come of of theirs,
and a rolling pin.
Fortunately the Peppers possessed three axes
and two rolling-pins, so they did not feel dis
turbed by the fact that the borrowed articles
we're not returned; but after a short interval,
filed with loans of coal, potatoes, bread and
cheese, Mrs. Slack came herself to borrow the
folding-table, a pair of scissors, a pattern Of q
basque, and a low rocking chair. she was go
ing to make some dresses, and il Mrs. Pep
per would step over aid fit her she'd be
obliged.
Mrs. Pepper did it, N made the button
holes, too. Mrs. Slack never could learn to
make a button-hole. The table, the scissors,
Lhe rocking-chair, and the pattern remained at
Mrs. Slack's.
The next week Mrs. Slack borrowed a silk
mantle and a macintosh
Mrs. Pepper this time grew bold enough to
beg that she would send them home when she
returned
Mrs. Slack said ssof course with some Of
tense, but when Peter was next sent it was
not to bring back those articles. What he
wanted was the baDy's perambulator and a
market basket
Mrs. Pepper watched them go with despair
in her eyes; but nothing was borrowed for
sometime after this; nothing returned either;
until, at last one morning, Mr.. Slack HIM
self called. He said he should have been be-
fore; they were so much indebted to such
good-natured neighbors. He hoped the Pep
pers would command him at any time; and
might bis wife hare The sewing machine for
one day? He meant to buy her one. What
make would Mrs. Pepper recommend? He
hoped she'd give his little woman the benefit
OF her advice. In fact, nothing would please
him better than to have his wife model her
self after such a lady
In tho end he walked OF witt, The sewing
machine.
Mrs. Pepper did her OWL stitching by hand
and waited for it
So Christmas time came, and with it cards
for q party. The Stacks so hoped they'd all
come and enjoy themselves.
Having accepted, what was more natural
than to take an interest In the proceedings?
To land afrUar and fha iaa -araaun froazar Init
ter and the egg-beater, the cut-glass goblets
and the best table-cloths, the spice-box entire,
and lots Of other things. Finally, Mrs. Slack,
with her gown tucked up, and her eyes spark
ling, ran in to say that they thought . dance
would be nice, and could Mrs. Pepper spare
the piano for one evening"
There's nobody to move il" said Mrs. Pep
per, rejeiced to have an excuse. I'm so sor-
Mrs. Slack laughed, and went to the window.
Four big laborers appeared, and without any
preliminary directing shouldered the instru-
nent and luggad it away. They bumped it
against ratings, and fairly tumbled down in q
ploughsd field, before they finished their mis-
sion; but by main strength they got it at last
70 the Stacks door; and Mrs. Slack took her
leave, carrying the piano-stool and cloth her
The appearance OF her adored piano gave
Mrs. Pepper q great deal of unhappiness that
evening thssAa q deep serssehhs en- the cover,
and one of the keys wouldn't lift However
she played waltzes and sets FOR the Lancers
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 coffee and q turkeybo
when her duties were finished
And yet she did not give Mrs. Slack . piece
OF her mind, rs she had intended We all nave
some particular Weakness. Mrs. Peppers was
ths desire for praise, for gratitude, when she
aid kind things; and Mrs. Slack had squeezed
het by both hands, and said, H0h, how sweet
you are! Iknew you would be before / ever
spoke TO yon, by your face. Ineyer had q sis
YER And do you know what ! say to Mr..
700 lovely for anything!'"'
And so she waited for the return OF piano
Tor . week, without o murmur.
But there IL an end to everything. One day
sns saw Mrs. Slack driving up the road in the
and saw her stop, with her usual little giggic,
MI. Pepper had taken . holiday, and was ly-
ing IN the hammock, reading; and she had her
sewing under the old oak-trees, and was ex-
.remely happy and comfortable. HMrs. Slack
mad come to ask her to drive, she had resolved
not to 60. She would say, stMy husband has
q lew holidays ! cannot leave home to-day.
Eut Mrs. Slack did no sych 4 thing.
You dear, good soullp Size cried, as soon az
sne was within speaking distance; Eve come
70 borrow your husband!"
10 borrow whsty" ejaculated Mrs. Pepper.
Your husband, said Mrs Slack ssSlack is
IN London; I'm going to a picnic. I want an
sscors and someone to drive. May | have
aIon ought to ask Mr.. Pepper himself, > said
mra Pepper, very coldly.
4 sha'n'tp said Mrs. Slack. playfully. 81
cxme 70 borrow him Of you You'll lend him,
won't Your And l shall tell everyone that good
snSel Mrs Pepper, lent me her husband.
Droiderei mautilla became her vastly. She had
DAINTY sky-bIus bonnet on her blonde head,
rnu sns smiled At Mr. Pepper out Of the cor