The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-10-20
THE OLD FAMILY BIBLE.


best room a-aslin' for a drink o water
And she says she wants it drawed right
outen the old well and how can it, when
the buckets broke? ~
Little Benny Bliss had not the least idea
how picturesque he looked, with his trou,
sers rolled above the knees, and hitched up
by string and nail, aud the ragged edges
of his hat-brim casting irregular shadows on
his sunburned face.
Mrs. Bliss hurriediy took her arms out of
the wash-tub, and wiped the silver fringes
of soap-suds with the roller-towel.
Oh, dear" she sighed, !" l wish the fine
ladies would select any other than wash-day
morning to make their visits l'
But the next instant her hospitablo heart
stung her for the reflection.
Run, Benny" she said, 'and let the
tin-pail down the well--and be careful, for
there's paid of butter hanging there to
cool--and pour the water into the speckled
pitcher-the one without the cracked spout,
dear and bring 1t in, with the glass tuin-
bier.
Which tumbler, mother p
Oh, dear, there isn't but oncn sighed
Mrs. Bliss. huriediy tying on clean ging-
ham apron TO conceal the deficiencies of
of her well-worn wash-day gown. " The
other was cracked against the edge of the
sink this morning. And be sure it's clean
and bright, Benny, there's dear.'
Thus speaking, Mrs. Bliss lifted the
boiler of clothes of the stove, TO make sure
of no mishap in her absence, shut the door
to keep out n buff hen, with six buff chicks,
who were marauding around the step, and
hurried into the genteel gloom of the . best
room, . where the green-p paper shades We're
pulled down, and yesterdays bunch of Gin.
namon roses was whitening in no-handled
milking
Mrs. Sewer sat there, in dress of pale
lilac muslin, looped here and there with
ribbons of deeper shade, mn immense
Japanese fan in her hand, and prevailing
scent of frangipanni surrounding her as
with an atmosphere.
No greater contrast could have been pre-
scented than that between this butterfly of
bee who stood opposite her, in the calico
dress, and the face flushed with homely
exercise.
So sorry to trouble you ~ smiled Mrs.
Sewer. 6 But my poor throat was parch.
ed, and the we'll under the buttonball.
trees did look so refreshing!"
Oh, it's no trouble ~ said Mrs. Bliss,
with more politeness than truth. My
boy will bring you drink directly. Here
he comes now"
And Master Benny made his appearance,
with pitcher of cool water in one hand
and the one remaining family tumbler in
the other.
" Is it out of that dear, old-time we'll ~
lisped Mrs Sewer.
!" Yes'ml" said Benny, eagerly. ~
drawed it myself. The buckets broke, but
| let down tin-pail. The buffers gone
headlong down the well, mother, for
Hush, Bennytr said Mrs. Bliss con
cealing her anguish as best she might under
An exterior of forced calmness
Delicious |" calculated the visitor, set
ting down the tumbler. Like liquid dia-
monds frozen into GOODNESS Exactly the
poets ideal
".when dripping with GOODNESS it rose from the.
The old oaken bucket, the moss-coyered
bucket
All, by-the-way, ma'am, Two been look
ing at that dear old family Bible Of yours !"
IS her capricious glance fell ON q ponder
ous russet-bound volume which occupied
the post u honor ON the cherry-wood table
beneath the gilt-framed looking-glass.
Mrs. Bliss flushed with pardonable pride.
Yes" said she, it has been in our
family for over seventy years. 1t belonged
to my poor husbands grandfather"
~ am rather an enthusiast on the sub
ject of family Bibles" simpered Mrs.
Sewer, who was one Of those ladies who are
always posing to imaginary audiences. 6 In
fact, I'm making collection of them. And
il You don't mind parting with it, I'll give
you ten dollars for this one"
g Mrs. Bliss recoiled little, as If some
thing had struck her.
ssOh, couldn't" said she. /" 1t be-
longed to my poor husbands grandfather,
andAn
g Yes. SO You said before" Mrs. Sewer
fastened to observe. |" But, seeing that
the binding is in good preservation and the
dates are unimpeachable, don't mind say
ing ten dollars
II you were to say twenty - cried Mrs.
Bliss, reddening little.
But just here Benny battered into the
room.
Mother" he whispered, very audibly,
old Mr.. Jennings is in the kitchen, and
he says he called to see about the money
you owe him."
The crimson had flooded Mrs. Bliss
whole face now she shrank back from
Benny's words.
And he says" went on the urchin, UNI
consciously merciless, g it's the third time
he's called"
Mrs. Bliss looked piteousIy at the fine
lady in the lilac muslin and the fnttering
ribbon-bows, then at the family Bible.
Mrs. Sewer felt magnetically that crisis
had arrived and was vaguely agitating the
atmosphere.
sSay fifteen,' she spoke mp, with q
wheeling air. ~ ~
Mrs Bliss took the family Bible from its
resting place on crochet mat under the
gilt looking glass.
Take il, she said, hurriedly. Benny
shall carry it home for You If If you cm
make it convenient to let me have the
money at once"
Mrs. Sewer drew out her purple-plush
purse without loss Of time, and placed three
bills in Mrs Bliss hands.
So much obliged to you !" she murmur-
ed, with the sweet smile which her decriers
were apt to compare to a perpetual flow Of
New Orleans molasses
And she went on her way with Benny
trudging behind with the family Bible
wrapped in brown paper and tied with q
piece Of blue twine.
~ feel exactly as II I'd sod one Of the
children, said the poor woman, wringing
her hands. after Mr.. JENNINGS had been