The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-12-30

no THINKS I'm going to ride him and
his porkmanker from that there depot
behind this here boss. for less than sc
cents. he thinks I'm greener than be!'
Il make no objection-no objection u
said thin voice, ''only am unable
just at this moment to- think must
have it in my watch pocket-I-Can't
you lend me half = dollar, Mr.. Turtle
dove?'
I could did-and took the long,
tishy sort of hand that was offered to
me tho next moment, and welcomed
Mr.. Bangs. the amateaur spiritual me.
dunn, to my hearth and home.
IL was impressed to come" he whis-
pered to me. ''Something seemed to
roll away. and 1 saw you among the
green fields and pleasant pastures and
was drawn toward you by subtle in
tluence. l did not even wait for bag
gage. You understands
1 had heard that day from a fellow
boarder of MIR. Bangs that his landlady
had delicately mentioned to him that
until he could pay his little bill she
should ''prefer his room to his COM
pany and would retain his trunk" and
quite understood.
We got into tho little parlor some
how, and we all sat down.
''And Pm sure you must be hungry, :"
sad l. "We've supped, of course"-it
was 10 o'clock-''but you'll have a
bite"
Don't put yourself to any trouble, ,"
said Mr.. Calliope. my dear friends,
I beg you won't put yourself to any
trouble on our account. We are tired
of city food. We want the fruits of
the earth-the simple fruits of the
earth-no more. Give us some milk,
a simple biscuit and your delightful
fresh butter, and q bowl of straw
berries, and we ask no more"
Here Mrs. Turtledove gave an in
voluntary shrek. She had presence
of mind enough to say she had seen a
spider.
Poor Mr.. Bangs only groaned softly
to himself, but he looked as though the
spirits who had been in the habit of
drawing mysterious apples and
oranges from his sleeves had not been
able to find any there that day, or had
carried them, off afterward.
The Calliopes were probably disap-
pointed as to the fruits of the earth;
but they had all appetite for sardines,
bread and butter, tea and canned pears.
And Mr.. Bangs enjoyed himself night
ly. We put the Rev. Mr.. Calliope and
his wife into our own room. Miss
Calliope shared Miss Mitten's apart
ment, and VIC induced Peggy to take a
bolster on a lounge in the kitchen,
while Mr.. Bangs rcposed in her accus-
toned bed. AS for young Calliope,
we took liberties with him on account
of his youth, and put him on the parlor
sofa. And we-oh! well, it didn't
matter for us. We went up into the
loft-it was four feet highland slept
on the rag bag.
I was off carly next day. I made the
arrangements alluded to with the
amiable and generous Mr. Fish for two
gallons of milk a day. I contracted
with the butcher for beef, and
brought strawberries and vegetables
home in basket.
My city guests supposed that all
those Strawberries grew in the garden.
and that we kept herd of COWS.
Berries were twenty-five cents basket
in the market, and they were not hull
ed. But the marketman always threw
a basket in on every two dozen. He
always did, he said, when one bought
for hotel.
"At home, you know" said young
Calliope, with the candor of youth, lin
the city, you know, you can't have
more'n preserve dish of strawberries
at a meal They are so beastly dear;
but here, where you get EN- for moth
ing you can eat bowlful."
Did I tell you that Peggy was gone?
She was. She went the second morn
ing. "And Id like to know what
youd be naming by hiring me for two.
and giving me dozen to work for?'
she had said; land thin doing nothing
but ate all day long, and me turned off
me honest bed to Shape on spikes, after
putin in me hard day, and dishes to
wash, till l do be goin' crazy
l could not defend myself. I could
only promise her silk dress if she
would stay her month out.
''ld have nobody left to put it on. if l
worked myself to DEATH" said Peggy
I'D rather have me flesh in me calico;'
and so she departed.
After that Mrs. Turtlcdove lived in
the kitchen. No one seemed to know
it. None of the ladies ever made their
beds. or filled their water pitchers, or
offered any assistance.
sat up all night to pare potatoes
and turnips lay the fire and do all
could, and l became beast of burden
as to baskets; but my business must be
attended to. Poor tile Mrs. Turtle
dove grew thinner evey day, whereas
our guests pumped up beautifully.
Still VIC were gaining the reputation of
being very hospitable, and that was
something. Our friends thought SO
much of us--that was more. But,
alas! we soon found that they were not
as we'll pleased with each other. II
began by Mrs. Calliope wondering al
the goings on of that Miss Mittens
with Muligan. Next Miss Mittens was
aston shed that Miss Calliope should
fancy MI. Mull;gan could desire to be
followed about by Il chit like her.
Then Mr.. Calliope had an argument
with Mr.. Mulligan on religious sub
jects. and gravely inquired whether
did not think it was wrong to have a
free-thinker in my house. Then the