The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1886-02-10
SELECTED.
THE pEAcoN'S DINNER.

The good housewives of the neighbor-
hood often said that Mrs. Smart ought to
be the happiest woman in the world,
"Such nice house as she lives in"
said Miss Bryce, vino, poor soul, taught
the district school and ''boardcd around
like the scrape goat in the Scripture Will
derncsS.
such piouS man rs the dear Deacon
isn added Mrs. Hopkins, whose better
half had once been sea captain, and
who was still apt to be profane by fits
and starts, wien the cattle got into the
clover field. and the midnight weasel ma
raudcd on his hen coops and turkey
rooStS.
"With store carpet on the best room
floor" put in Mrs. Jones. land Il weekly
newspaper, and white sugar in her tea
every day of her life, and II horse and
wagon to take her to meeting Sundays"
Such was the opinion of the society aS
represented in Glen Hollow. Perhaps
Mrs, Deacon Smart was II very happy wo-
man But we are told. on the very best
authority, that,
"Thc heart knowcth its own bitterness"
Mrs. Smart was washing up her best
china one morning, preparatory to giving
grand tea party, and her cousin Ella
Dale, was helping her, when the Deacon
pun his shining, bald head in at the door.
My dear he said. here is a paper of
pins for you.
Mrs. Smart nearly dropped Il gilt-ed@cd
saucer. in her CONSERVATION.
"Moic PINS" said She.
Yes, my dear" said the Deacon,
unctuou>ly, 'Pin> are always useful
.'Oh, yes iiRSt said Mrs. Smart, giving
her glass towel II Etoss rs she wiped the
last globulc of moisture from goblet.
But not rows of rusty wire! do say
for it Ebcnczcr-'
II am going to Glen Depot, my dear
the Deacon somewhat hnrriedly inter
ruptcd, at this juncture; land perhaps |
shan't be home till one O'Clock"
He withdrew, and Mrs. Smart turned
to Ella Dale with half laugh
There my dear said she, throwing
dresser" there you behold the secret
of my domestic mhappincss--the skelc-
ton in my closet"
Ella opened her round, hazel eyes very
wide.
Il can't think what you mean, Julian
ma She said " ION unhappy? and the
dear Deacon such IL truly good man.
THAT'S the trouble" said Mrs. Smart;
'she is too good
But don't hardly see how that can be
possible said Ella, more perplcNed than
ever.
And it's all at my expense" said Mrs.
Smart, dolefully. DO you see that pa
per of pins"
"Why, of course see it said Ella.
Well, Mr.. Smart has brought that pa
per of pins of Il peddlcr al the door,
said Mrs. Smart. ',pcddlcrs always
come here. This house is II Mecca to the
race of pcddlers. They know that Mr..
Smart always buys of thcm-hes too
good hearted To say no; or, rather-let Us
speak the truth, and shame linn who shall
be namcles, between us-hc is really too
indolcnt to resist their opportunities
Ella burst ont laughing.
'.But what a very insignificant little
trial, she said.
ooh YES | dare say said Mrs Smart,
The sting of hornet isn't 50 very terri
BILE in itself, but when whole swarm is
let loose upon you, what them
"A whole swarml' repeated innocent
Ella.
My dear, said Mrs. Smart, lowering
her voice to confidential whisper, up
stairs in my bedroom closet, | have cigh-
teen papers of just such cheap pins-ut-
tcrly useless for anything but TO bend
themselves up double when You TRY 10
put them through single thickness "i
calico, and To deprive you OF your temper
just when you need II most SIX cardS ol
porcelain buttons an article Whlch neN-
or use; nine packages OF St"Veoiackih''
thirteen bottles OF machlnc-oll' hNe pa
pers OF rusty needles; dozen pairs OF
shoes:rings, and eight rolls OF tape,
which Is an insult /" one ; common SENSE
II couid reconcile IL To my cohSc'el'c''
ia iilng the whole collection ihto the nre
nut was bronSht up To ec"hoii,ize' nat
40 you iilhR' Ella would IL De Sll' 10
a'ilii'lia'e an 'HeNe P'''a'lN !" NY ea""i-
lmity' ,r