The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-09-16
BLUE MONDAY"

BLUE MONDAY"
If ever blue Monday dawned upon
the terrestrial ball, it was this thirteeuth
day of September, 49,.
The equinoctial had come before its
time, with rush of angry rain borne on
the wings o. a morning wind; the kitch-
en- chimney smoked rancorou,ly, and the
scuttle leaked steady "drip, drip, drip!"
directly over the roses and tulips of the
restroom carpet.
IA regular spell of weather." said Mr..
Crayfsh, chuckling, as he shaved him
self, with ono OF the children playing
horse with his suspenders, and the other
packing different-slzed marbles into the
toe of his slipper.
But Mr.. Crayfish, as his wife scornful-
ly remarked, would chuckle at anything.
81 am sure l don't know what is to
become Of mel" said she, sorrowlul y.
"With Bridget gone, and the lancc out
of order, and this terrible rain, and not
a washerwoman to be had for love or
money! And your Aunt Pamela writing
that she is coming here to spend the Win
ter, and my report not yet written for
the Woman's Elevation Society, and
Mrs. Ponsonby sending word that she
shall expect me to give an aesthetic tea,
OR literary breakfast, in honor of young
Lord Ernest Elbcron, now that he is
here gathering material for Lii, book on
'Woman's Upward Progress"
Hang progressl" sad Mr.. Crayfsh,
emptylng the marbles out OF his slipper
toe
'Yes, that's just like you, Leandcr,"
ssid Mrs. Crayfsh, trctfufy. eff you
had your way, you wo,.ld tread us all
under foot, like inferior beings"
'In the meantime" said Crayfish, 'Td
like my breall(as.."
| And his wife went slowly and despond-
emily down stairs, wondering how she
should get word to the plumber about
the range.
But the milkman, opportuncly present
ing himself, volunteered to leave an order
at the plumbers shop.
81 must get something done on the re-
port to-day" she pondered, as she sliced
up potatoes for frying. "Mrs. Edge
worth, from Chicago, is to be at to-
morrow's meeting, and Oh, dear" as
the knife slipped, inaicting sharp little
cash on her finger. 81 knew there was
destined to be blue Monday when the
decorated lamp-shade cracked, all of
itself, before daylight this morningw
And Mrs. Crayfsh, forgetting all about
her elevation" and "Aims," burst into
tears, as any milk-maid mi ght have
done.
The range obstinately declined to cook
the chimney poured clouds of smoke
down into Mrs. Crayf,h's face; and the
family breakfasted upon yesterdays oat-
meal, with little milk.
SIS this esthetic2' said Mr.. Crayish; !;
Tor is it literary"
"Leander, how can your sobbed his
wife.
'Tll stop myself and jog that
plumbers memory" said SIr. Crayfsh,
good humoredly. "Don't fret, Garry
1t will be all right"
~ wish you would not call me Garry,
when my name is Carolinaw said Mrs.
Crayfsh.
Just at noon the door bell rang.
"Who is it7" shrieked Mrs. Crayfsh
to the little Crayfi hes, who were stretch
ing their necks out of the front window.
''It's a young man, with black
leather bag, NAL" shouted back the
youthful scions of the race.
THAT everlasting plumber" said Mrs.
Crayfish.
III teacn nlmI'
And with her kitchen apron swallow
ing her in its sombre folds, and her hail
all bristling in porcupine papers, Mrs.
Crayfsh hurried to the door.
'Do I address Mrs. Leander Cray.
tsh2" began the young man.
81 should rather think you didw sale
Mrs. Crayfsh, tartly. "And if this il
the way you intend to transact business,
I want nothing more to do with you"
II am very sorroy, ma'am, but
81 dare say!' curtly interrupted
Mrs. Crayfish. "But l don't want t.
listen to any excuses. Be so very good
if you please, as to come down stairs a
once and get to work, without furthe
loss of time"
And she led the way down to tn
kitchen, talking volubly as she went.
But before she could explain the man
, fold shortcomings of the deiinquen
range, the door-bell sounded fer th,
, second time, loud and long, and Mrs
Crayfsh was obliged to hurry up stair
once more.
This time it was an old lady, stout and
red-faced, with puffs of gray hair ol
either side of her face, and her portl,
figure shroud d in waterproof clotk.
"Aunt Pamela, as true as live!" crie(
Mn. Crayfsh, who never had met he