Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-05-28
THE LAST STRAW.


Mrs. Slack was next neighbor to the
Peppers when they bought their cottage
at Seayiew, and on the very first niehl
she tumbled over the scattered bits ol
furniture in the passage and appeared il
their midst unexpectedly to borrow lit
tie salt She said it was nice to have
neighbors again, and that Mrs Pepper
looked so sweet she knew she wouldn't
mind.
At midnight she reused them from theil
slumbers to inquire if they had any chol-
era medicine, 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 circumstance she might
have lost her darling. Mrs Pepper was
thankful, too, and the two women en-
braced with tears. Then Mrs. Slack bor-
rowed some mustard for a plaster.
The next day she sent Peter, fully re-
covered and with his pockets full of
green fruit, to ask for the ak, the handle
having come off theirs; also a rolling-pin.
Fortunately the Peppers possessed
three axes and two rolling-pins, SO they
did not feel disturbed by the fact that
the articles were never returned. But
after short interval filled by loans of
coal, potatoes, bread and cheese, Mrs
Slack came herself to borrow the folding
table, pair Of scissors, the pattern Of a
basque, and low rocking-chair. She
was going to make some dresses, and if
Mrs. Pepper would step over and fit her
she'd be much obliged.
Mrs. Pepper did it ond made the but
ton-holes, too. Mrs Slack never could
learn to make button-hole The table,
the scissors, the rocking chair, and the
pattern all remained at Mrs Slack's.
The next week Mrs. Slack borrowed
mantle and waterproof.
Mrs. Pepper by this time grew bold
enough to beg that she would send them
home when she returned.
Mrs. Slack said "of course with
some offense, but when Peter was next
seen it was not to bring back those att
Giles. What he wanted was the baby
carriage and market basket
Christmas time came and with it cards
for party. The Stacks 50 hoped they'd
all come and enjoy themselves.
Having accepted what was more natu-
raj than to take an interest in the pro
ccedings-to lend sugar and ice-cream
freezer, butter, and the egg-beater, the
cut-glass goblets and the best table-cloths,
the spice-box entire, aud lots of other
things? Finally Mrs Slack, with her
gown tucked up and her eyes sparkling
ran it to say that they thought dance
would be nice and could Mrs. Pepper
spare the piano for one EVENING"
SThere's nobody to move it, = sad
Mrs. Pepper, reJolced 10 nave a'l oAe'
"Tm so sorry"
Mrs. Slack laughed and went to the
window. Four big laborers appeared
and without any preliminary directing
shouldered the instrument and lugged II
away. They bumped it against ratings
and fairly tumbled it down in a plowed
field before they finished their mission
but by main strength they got it at last
to the Slack's door and Mrs. Slack took
her leave, carrying the piano stool ana
cloth herself.
The appearance of her beloved piano
gave Mrs. Pepper great deal Of unnap-
piness that evening. 1t had deep
scratch on the cover and one of the Keys
wouldn't lift. However, she playea
waItzes and sets for the lancers most q