Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-06-11
TWO OF A KIND.


''Guess I'll have look at 'em "
OF all things, Mrs. Pilkington was
east able to resist bargain.
The old Pllkington farmhouse at home
was, crammed full Of ''bargains" possible
md impossible. The bureau drawers
overfowed with bargains" which were
of no use to anyone; the trunks were
packed full Of bargains"
And here, on the crowded curb-stones
'f Grand Street, the swinging pasteboard
ign Of "Great Bargains Within!' at
.racted her attention, hurried though she
was with the manifold errands which yet
remained incomplete.
She had lot of damaged table-linen
ander her arm, and some cheap hosiery
n her bag, and dozen towels with mis-
printed borders in her pocket, and here
The was crowding into the Grand Street
store to buy blue-spotted pongee neck
erchief for eighteen centsl
''It'll do for Sara Janetta to waa
around her neck of a cool evenin', = sale
Mrs. PiIkington, ''and eighteen cents j
really very cheap for real pongee."
Mrs. Pilkington lived in little brown
rooted farm house on the Housatoni,
River, and her main errand up to tow
had been to buy a "store carpet" for he
best room floor, and to exchange an oiC
,ewing-machine for something of newe
order.
Her cousin, Mrs. Bruce Babbitt, wh'
had spent the summer months at tn
farm, and made the most possible troubl
Tor the least possible pay. had also en-
gagged to hunt her up a ''help' from tn
nearest intelligence Office, and have tn
same on hand when the ''fve-four train
eft the Grand Central Depot that after
nooni
And sure enough, when the lady iron
the country arrived, red and painting, a
the depot, with disheveled hair, ben
bonnet, and shawl dragged all awry,
modest young girl stood at the door wit
card bearing the name of 'Mrs. Bruc
Babbitt" in her hand.
'Is it Mrs. Pilkington" said She
''You amt the new sewing machine
be you3" said Mrs. Pilkington, rubbini
her nose with puzzled air. "Nor ye
the eighteen yards Of carpet from Stoney
bridge and Bounce's?"
Il am Phoebe, said the young woman
-"Phebe, at nine dollars month, if
am lucky enough to SUIT you, ma'am9'
She was pretty, blue-eyed lass, wit
fresh complexion, and a neat gown o
green and white seer-sucker, and sh
wore bonnet of her own trimming, wit
cluster of butter-cups on the side.
Mrs. Pilkington looked obviously a
her. She had prepared herself to expec
a stout, red handed drudge.
1t did not seem possible that this deli
cate little apple-blossom of a girl conl'
be servant of-alI- work!
But there, sure enough, were her ere
dentials, and the bell, even then, wa
changing for the closing of the gates.
"Come onm said Mrs. Pilkington, an
she rushed through, dragging PhGb
after her. TITS strange, though, tha
the carpet and the sewing-machine ain
here. !"
"Did you expect carpet and sewing
machine, ma'am9n Phoebe asked, respect
fully.
Il bought en- and paid for 'em," sal
Mrs. Pilkington, impressively, "and
don't see why they amt here"
perhaps they will be sent by express
suggested Phoebe.
Il declare to goodness, Inever though
of thatm said Mrs Pilkington.
And she skurried through the crowde
car to find seat
1t was the dusk of a chilly May even
ing when they reached Blackbird's HoI
low, and alightel in the midst of den'
pines and sighing tamaraeks.
''If Pilkington hain't remembered
come and meet us, shall be mad Y sal
Mrs. Pilkington, stretching her neck fol
ward the better to survey the glimmern
curves of the road. ''And Pilkington
always forgettingl My goodness, gr'
cious mel what's that u as Phoebe stool
ed to recover something which she ha'
inadvertently let fall.
my handkerchief, ma'amw
Mrs pilktpnsta, f,4ada a ,.rast1 az III