Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-07-15

pin came out of the wheel, ard / had
to stop at Tony 'Deephill's to get it fix
ed. Now, them
He drove the stout pony close to the
rallied platform which extended away
from IL station.
Mrs. Pilkington pushed Phoebe into
the back seat and followed her with
lightning haste.
Not that way" she cried, grasping
Al; the reins. as Ezra would have headed
for the highroad. Drive straight to
Squire Pulteney's. This gals thief !!
I'm going to have her arrested before
she is a day older!'
'Eh" said Ezra, staring from his
mother TO Phoebe, and then back again.
She's stole my spotted pongee hand
kerchief-ny handkerchief that | bot
at bargain on Grand Street this very
morning" shrieked Mrs. Pilkington.
'It's-it's my handkerchief, faltered
poor Phoebe, feeling as if she were in Il
terrible nightmare from which there
was no awakening.
"A likely story!' clamored the enrag-
ed housewife. I've always heard of
the wles and tricks Of these city mnxes
but never realized it until now
Drive on, Ezra-drive quick She
shall be lodged in the county Jail this
very night
Are you sure you amt mistaken,
mother? said kind Ezra, compassionate
ing the look Of pallid misery in the
young girls face.
Mistaken, indeed shifted the old
lady. Drive on, say. Don't lose any
more time. or Squire Pultcney will have
gone home for the night.
She herself took possession of the
reins and she spoke and @chirrured to
the horses.
But, mother pleaded Ezra.
! Even as he spoke, however. poor
! Phnbe, driven wild by vague terror and
an Instructive desire to escape, had
flung herself from the wagon to the
ground.
'Stop-for heavens sake, mother,
stop shouted Ezra. Don't you see
that her dress is caught in the wheels?
The little horse stopped. lie always
stopped, on general principles, when
ever suitable opportunity presented
itself and the very slightest whoa !"
would invariably bring him to dead
standstill.
Ezra sprang from the wagon to dis
cntangle the helples figure in the dust,
and Mrs. Pilkington scrambled after
with vague idea that Phoebe might
yet get up and try to ,un away.
As she Jumped down her satchel fell
prone into the road, and bursting open
the overstrained latch, disgorged its
contents on the dewy grass of the road
side. first and foremost among which
was--a spotted ponsee handkerchief.
"Good Land o'Moses /" piously in
terected Mrs, Piikington, "if there
amt the drafted old ponyee handker-
chief. arter all :"
And she started helplessly, first at
its prim and undisturbed folds, and
then at Phpbe's Observation-Disclosures
ly the same in color, pattern and fabric.
"She amt a thief, arter all y said
Mrs PiIkington, her whole nature over
flooded by the rising tide of remorse.
"Poor child and I'm afeard she hurt
a tryin' to run away from nothing at
all"
Phnbe's ankle was slightly sprained
that was all, and by this time she
was able to smile and answer kindly
Mrs. Pilkington's numerous questions
and condolences.
Can | ride home? Oh, of course l
can! y said she, in reply to Ezra's in
terrogations. my ankle is only the
least bit lame
Old Farmer Pilkington was anxious
ly looking out for them, when, consid-
erably later than he had expected the
wagon drove up and Mrs. Pilkington
made haste to explain everything to
him.
"And amt 1t queer said she, that
me and Phoebe should both hev brought
pongec handkerchiefs just alike on
Grand Street? If ever there was bar
gains, they be! Half yard square,
real China goods, with hem
"Fiddlesticks - said old Mr.. Pilk
ington. "If there's anything | hate,
it's bargains y
Little Phoebe Primrose stayed on at
the farm She liked the daisies and
red clover, the sound OF running brooks
tba euell nc tho cowa' hraath And