Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-12-10

"IeSs OoV'ehtiou W euiuSSic III tuc iOAu
of pumpkins.
81 won't waste 'em anyway" said
he, "if snybody's hogs is to eat 'em il
may as we'll be mine."
That afternoon, when he came into
supper thing happened which had
never before befailen him in all his
married life.
He found the tes-kettle cold, the
Graham games unbsked, the table un.
spread and his wife crying piteously.
"Eh !"said EIiakim, blankly. What
in all creations the matter now? You
ain't sick, b. you Loisy? Yes, l be
sobbed Mrs. Ellis. "Heartsick, Liza.
kim. Oh, what hev | done? I've
sold them gray pants o'yourn to the
tin peddler, and never remembered
how I'd put that there hundred dollar
coupon bond you gave me to keep in
the pocket, because / calculated no
burglars would take . pair ragged old
pants, Oh. dear, oh, desr!"
For one minute Eliakim Ellis stood
silent. A hundred dollars was . hun
dred dollars to this hard working
man. who could only save and scrspe
by Titles.
But be looked at Louiss's pale, voc
begone face. and his great tender
heart rose within him like the billows
Of the sea.
"Don't fret, Loisv, nv gal. he said.
cheerfully. at wss only an accident.
"Tsin't wuth frettin' about. And he
bent down and kissed her forehead-s
rare occurrence in their undea,onstra.
tive household. "We'll 60 to work
and make it up as fast - possible, my
dear"
20. Liskim!" sobbed the good wife,
81 don't deserve you should be 70
good to me I'm . cross, scoldin' cree
tur. and"
Tut, tut, tutw good humoredly
interrupted her husband. "Guss. ]
amt goin' to hsv my wife abused this
sway"
"And I'm sorry | spoke 90 short .
bout them pumpkins," added Louisa,
dolefully.
Mr.. Ellis whistled under his breath.
He was slmost disposed now to regret
thst he had paid out that dollar for
the Widow Hepsys pumpkins.
"Howeser, it's done, be said to him
sell, "snd it can't be undone. Loisy'd
best Be left in the dark. guess, about
it"
He vas slertly kindling the Gre
while Mrs. Ellie moved sadly about,
making preparation for the evening
meal when there Was y lively tattoo,
played By . very energetic pair Of
knnckies on the door outside
"Come iu I" shouted he.
And who should make bis appear
ance butthe tin peddler himself.
Hello, sqsise." said be. "Guess
there's been . mistake somewhere. !
amt bu,in' up government coupon
bonds. I'm 10 tin trade found
this ere in your old pscketa So l sl-
lowed it wss beet to bring it back right
away"
He held ont the folded slip Of parch
ment Eliskim looked oddly at It"
Fetch on Diogeness aud his Ian
term" said he. IL cslc'late here's the
honest man ct last !"
"Gst OUT" said the tin ped iler. 81
don't want none O. your syllsbled fun
poked at me. But tell you what l
do want Them there pumpkins ths,
you WAS cartin in when exchanged .
saucepan and tive clippers for the
gray pants with your good lady. I'll
give you five cents apiece for EN-"
"Done." cried Farmer Ellis, joyful.
iy.
"There's to be big dinner up to
Hill, went on the tin ped.
dler. And they're goin' to bake two
hundred pumpkin pies, and all the
pork and besns that's to be had. And
theirs gein to be . corner in pump
kins. I've got my wagon out here, 90
l guess we'll load up right away"
, And thus the hundred dollar cou-
pom bond Was returned all safe and
sound, BY the tin peddler, WHO was as
honest as he was shrawd, and widow
Hepsy HALLS pumpkins were satisfac.
torily marketed. So much %, indeed,
that Eliakim even purchased out OF
the profits = snuff colored merino
gown, which he left ut the widows
door the very next time he drove past.
"Itts pity she can't share more O.
the good luck" said he.
Mrs. Hall found the gown, neatly
wrapped in paper, at the door, when
she c.me from crsnberryiug in the
swamp, and she never knew whore it
came from. But she made it ND and
wore it to her daughter B. rlindy's in
the city.
But honest Eliakim has not yet told
Louisa, his wife, that he bought Widow
Hspsey's pumpkins, and paid dollar
for them in hard cash.
ut amt best to tell women every
thing" said he.-Helen Forrest Graves