The Washington critic., 1885-09-17
MRS. BAREtR'S LUCKY ACCIDENT,

MRS, BARKtR'S LUCKY ACCIDENT,
Seems to me he's late tonight"
said Mrs Davis, a. she stood in her
smelling, cool buttcry awaiting
the coming of her husband, with the
pals of milk II guess" she further
remarked, "thc cows must have been
over in the back pasture" Thomas,
the yellow cat, to whom her remarks
were apparently addressed, arose with
a lazy stretch, and walked slowly out
into the kitchen; from whence he
quickly returned, with upifted tail
and loud purring; thereby announcing
the arrival of his master.
IL say, M0lyinyl what do you s'pose
is goin to happen?' exclaimed lothian,
eXcitedly entering his wifc's domain
and depositing the Drumming pals
somewhat cmphatcally upon the shin
ing, yellow floor, II should think
something had happened" replied
Mrs. Davis, glancing somewhat rue
fully at the big splashes of milk which
Thomas was very kindly engaged in
cleaning up with his busy, red tongue
Don't you think, went on Jotham,
without noticing the interrupt on,
chat Cy Bankers goin to sell ont an
go out to Kansas, right Off. Frank
came home Monday, an he's talked his
father crazy over it, and | yum if he
amt goin right back with Frank next
week"
For the land sake" exclaimed Mrs
Davis, holding up both hands. "You
don't mean it, Jotham.'
Eyes, sir replied the good man,
taking Off his broad brimmed straw
hat, and hopping his bald head with a
red bandanna. "Therc's man over
in Green that's been wanting to buy
Just such farm. He's ready to take
it tomorrow, hay all standing, most of
the stock, and some of the household
stuff. The restll be sold ut auction.
"Wcll, well declare if it don't
beat all. I'm dreadful sorry" said
Mrs Davis, following her husband into
the kitchen, and proceeding to wash
the pals. "Marshy Barker's n still
woman, but rs good Il one as ever
lived, an as for Jennie-dear, dear
what will John do Have you told
him, lothian p inquired the mother,
full of pity and sympathy for her only
boy, who was looking forward to the
time not far distant when Jennie Bar
ker would become his wife.
Yes" answered lothian, "you see
the COWS were clear over to Cy's fence,
an his was down there close by, and
so we happened along at the same time,
an he told me all about it. told
John as soon rs come back, an he
started right over there. Never stopped
to slick up mite - added lothian re-
fiectively. II guess he's afraid he
shall lose Jennie. y
"Jennie's good girl" replied his
wife,
Seems to me they're doin' ter
riblc foolish thing ut their age, said
lothian. They're older folks than
we be, Malviny. How should yJu like
TO make such Il move, wife,
II shouldn't like it at ALL y. replied
his wife, coming to his side in the open
door, and looking out into the purple
twilight which was coming across
from the distant hills and falling down
on the broad fields and dark forests be-
fore them 81 shouldn't like it, 10Th
am" she repeated. I'm 100 old a
tree TO be transplantcd; | should wither
and die.
Young folks can stand such
changes, remarked lothian, slapping
too.familiar mosquito, but rs for
you an me, Malviny, we'll let well
enough alone The west may be well
enough for folks that are used to ii;
but my time o. life couldn't get used
to tornadoes an grasshoppers an
lnjins.
II believe I'll lust run over an see
Marshy minnit," said Mrs, Davis,
suddenly turning about and taking her
sunbonnet from the nail "Won't you
90 along, too, JOHANN
"No, | guess I'll stay here an keep
the musketeers company, I'm ruther
tired tonight
Mrs. Davis walked slowly down the
dcwy path, stopping at the fence that
inclosed the front yard and break
ing II twig from the swcet-scented
syringa that stood in the corner Look,
ing ailcctionately at n graceful rose
bush laden with buds, she wondered
how ii would seem to be going away
never to see these familiar object,
again. And rs she walked along she
thought of the many times she had ira
vCrscd that same road ON one Crraud
and another. She called to mind tho
dark, chilly night when she was hastily
summoned to the bedside of her neigh
boris first born-swcet little Nellie
How the pines, just over the hill
sighed and mOancd that night rs sh,
sped swiftly along, full Of deepest sym
pathy for the gricf-strickcn mother
All who, in that far-or place, could
! tokpr her Ilncp rs n fripnI and npiph