Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-11-06

tuS monStroSltleS was iumpeu al uoiiai
to Mr.. Tows, whose door.yard was laid
out in carrots and parsnips, and who
did not know pokeberry bush from
holly bush.
"Be folks mad ?" said breathless Mrs.
Grigson.
The proceeds Of the flower stand
amounted to eighteen dollars, and the
purchasers eagerly seized their property
and carried it of, as If unwilling to let
it out of their sight, and the sale went
briskly on.
"Well, Naomi" said brother Lyman,
chuckling, when the "vendoo', was
over, show much did We expeck to git
for Aunt Mittable's things?"
81 did hope for fifty dollars, all TOLD"
said Mrs. Grigson. "But Miss ketch-
um said | was fool for calkilatin' on
any such amount"
"What dye say to two hundred?"
said brother Lyman, gleefully.
"what" shrieked Mrs. Grigson.
"Lyman, you're a-pokin' fun at me-"
mo, 1 amt" cheerfully spoke up
brother Lyman. "It's two hundred and
fifteen dollars and lightweight cents,
that's what it is Oh, eff ye'd only seen
the women folks a-carryin' out Aunt
Mittable's house plants hugged up close
to 'em, like they was little babies !"
Brother Lyman stopped TO shake all
over with species of inaudible laughter
which corvulsed him as II he were a
mold of jelly.
"Two hundred and fifteen dollars"
gasped Mrs. Grigson. "Its like a
dream"
The auctioneer counted out the bills
into the good woman's toll. hardened
hands.
"I congratulate you ma'am," said he.
care you sure there amt no mis-
take?" said Mrs. Grigson.
"Quite sure, ma'am."
"Well, | don't somehow understand
it," said the widow, slowly shaking her
head. "Perhaps, Mr.. Pulfield, you can
explain it to me?"
The auctioneer looked around, winked
one eye solemnly, and twirled his quill
pen backward and forward.
"No one here?" said he.
"Not a SOUL" declared brother Ly-
man.
Everybody gomez"
eyes, everybody"
"1hen look here" said the auction
eer. 81 couldn't help catching word
here and there; and it wasn't no busi-
ness of mine to interfere"
81 don't understand" said Mrs. Grig-
son, more bewildered than ever.
Don't ye now? Well, less see If !
can't make it clear to ye," said Mr.. Pull
field. "Abigail Barton she was a-whls-
pering to Deacon Plimpton's widow
how't she found a little gold dollar bur-
led in the earth of fower-pot that held
Jerusalem cherry tree you give her;
and it went from one TO another like
wildfire. Oh, yes, Mrs. Grigson, your
Aunt Mittable was good woman, a
very good woman, but awful queer.
AnG now every man, woman and child
will be rippin open feather beds, diggin
up house plants, and pokin into cheer
seats and bureau drawers for hidden
treasure. See?"
"You don't spose-" cried Mrs. Orig
son.
ayes, do spose," said the auction
eer. "If folks will be fools, there amt
no way Of preventing 'em as ever
knowed Of. And / wish 'em good luck
finding what your iAunt Mittable Las
hid there"
"Well, / declare :" said Mrs. Grigson.
"Your things hev sold very well,
ma'am," said Mr. Pulfeld, buttoning
up his coat. 81 don't know when we've
had such successful auction sale in the
neighborhooj."
Mrs. Grigson went back to the city
feeling richer than any capitalist. And
not until the train was running into New
Haven depot did she start wildly from
her seat in the corner OF the car. at
was the monkey" she said, speaking
aloud in the sudden enlightenment Of
her soul-"brother Lymen's monkey ]
And there was me, poor, simple cfitter,
a-repinin' agin the mischief he had
donen'
The other passengers stared dubiously
at her, wondering II they bad come all
the way from Feltville -Four Corners
with a crazy woman. An old man took
up basket and shawl-strap and went
to the other end Of the car.
But .hey need not have been alarmed.
Mrs. Grigson was not crazy.