The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-01-01
[From Blackwood's .Magazfne.l
Alexander NeShift. EX.

IL.
Fortunately | had side of bacon in
my kitchen; which | had recently
bought-it had cost eighteen and
nlnepence. | cut from this literally,
and fried as fast as [ could fry, to
supply my guests. How the Goals
went! Firing all night and all day!
Why, in the time these people were
under my roof the greater part of a
ton went, and Goals came to 25s. per
ton with US. It was the same with
my tea and sugar, they melted away
like snow in southwest wind.
When breakfart was over, and the
company in fairly good humor, lay
on my hearth-rug, IN my clothes, and
dropped asleep.
was reused by violent hubbub,
and by thrusts and shakings. 1t was
with difficulty that / rallied my senses
when [ had done so, | heard Mr. Har-
wood say that the fire in the bedroom,
where his wife was sitting, had gone
out for want Of Goals at the proper
moment, and would have to be re-
lighted. The stove in the schoolroom
and the scuttle for the classroom
needed immediate replenishment, un-
less [ were bent on killing my guests
with cold. l staggered to my feet,
and, half asleep and stupid, fetched
the necessary Goals from the coal-hole,
which was outside the house. The
door had been left open and the snow
had driven in and buried the fuel. I
had to dig it out with my hands.
Next I found, with. difficulty, dry
sticks, and relighted the fire in the
bedroom. Wet and tired, tried to
compose myself to sleep again when
this was done, but was reused by the
advent of the guard, who announced
to the passengers that it was impossi-
bic for the line to be cleared that day;
that the roads, moreover, were so deep
in snow, that it would be a matter Of
extraordinary difficulty to forward
them to their destinations. The COM
pany was, however using superhuman
efforts, straining every nerve to fur
nish conveyances for the afternoon.
At this announcement Babel broke
loose. The passengers asked if the
company knew the dogs kennel in
which they were mewed; the miser-
ably insufficient and unpalatable food
they were forced to consume. They
did not believe the company was ex-
erting itself. They knew that if some
one with look at me) chose to make
an effort to put himself out Of the
way. traps might be found in the
neighborhood to transport them all to
their destinations. I saw that I must
cater for the dinners Of these cast
Always. [ went to Upcott, and in
duced the farmer to kill sheep. I
had potatoes of my own. | had sup
piled myself with four bags before
the frost set in, hoping they would
last me through the winter. Some of
the passengeus clamored for ale, so I
brought several bottles from the vii
lage tavern. It was poor, sour stuff.
The miller Cudmore said, with an
oath, that he could not drink it, and
would have whisky or Plymouth gin;
and went himself to the alehouse to
procure it. On his return he encount-
cred the rector, who had come to make
inquiries how we Jared. The parson
was indignant, and called on me to
support him in protest against the
school being made scene Of riot and
drunkenness.
When the roast mutton was served,
the Harwoods, Mr.. Parnacott, and two
of the farmers refused to eat it; they
could not touch mutton. All the
sheep were diseased, and they had no
doubt that this one was killed because
so badly 9cawed" that it could not
live. They must have beef. But
beef was not to be had; SO my side of
bacon was had recourse to, and almost
demolished.
The Harwoods refused to eat in the
schoolroom, because Cudmore had
sworn and used indelicate language
when tipsy the previous night; and
they invited Mr.. Parnaeott to lunch
with them in my parlor. This, of
course, entailed double labor on me,
as I had to attend to both parties.
All were impatient, and inclined to be
abusive, if | did not he them to
clean plates, fill their glasses, furnish
them with potatoes and bread the
moment they felt the want of these
things. | had cut some of my finest
drumhead Savoy cabbages and cooked
them; but Mr.. Parnacott and Mrs.
Harwood did not eat cabbage. and
complained of the disagreeable odor
that pervaded the house in conse-
quence of its having been boiled. One
Of the farmers found a snail in his
portion, and this occasioned demon
stration against me for my careless
ness in insufficiently washing the
| not only gave them
''cawed" mutton, but also "sluggy"
cabbage.
do not wish to make along story
put of this. Suffice it, then, for me
70 say, that toward dusk various con-
7eyances arrived. from the town to
carry away the unfortunates who had
been my guests for pretty nearly
,wenty-four hours.
Then when they were about to
cave, and were elated at the thought
# their immediate release. | was sur
'ounded by those I had entertained.
"You are a good fellow" said Mr.
oarnacott, shaking my hand. Il
hall never forget your hospitality,
md only hope I may have an oppor-
unity Of repaying it. Come and see
ne at my little place, and [ will give
,ou something that will cheer the
he cookies Of your heart-Bach!"
Mrs. Harwood extended her little
!loved hand to me- She was a pretty
-onng woman. married to a rather
,ldish man. With pleasant smile
he said, "We have intruded sadly on
our valuable time. Mr. Mister"
"Nesbitt," said |. Madam, your
=