The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-06-03
TWO OF A KIND.


"Guess I'll have a look at 'em."
OF all things, Mrs. Pilkington was
least able to resist bargain.
The old Pllkington farm house at homo
was, crammod full of bargains" possible
and impossible. The bureau drawers
overflowed with "bargains" which were
of no use to anyone; the trunks were
packed full of "bargains"
And here, on the crowded curb-stones
of Grand Street, the swinging pasteboard
sign of "Grcat Bargains Within" at
tracted her attention, hurried though she
was with the manifold crrands which yet
remained incomplete.
She had lot Of damaged table-linen
under her arm, and some cheap hosiery
in her bag, and dozen towels with mis-
printed borders in her pocket, and here
she was crowding into the Grand Street
store to buy blue-spotted pongee neck
erchief for eighteen cents! s-',
"It'll do for Sara Janetta to wa'ar
1round her neck of a cool cvcnin'," said
Mrs. Pilkington, land eighteen cents is
really very cheap for real pongee,"
Mrs. Pilkington lived in little brown
rooted farm house on the Housatonic
River, and her main errand up to town
had been to buy 'storc carpet" for her
best room floor, and to exchange an old
sewing-machinc for something of newer
order.
Her cousin, Mrs. Bruce Babbitt, who
had spent the summer months at the
farm, and made the most possible trouble
for the least possible pay. had also en-
gagged to hunt her up "hclp' from the
nearest intelligence Office, and have the
same on hand when the '.fve-four train"
left the Grand Central Depot that after
noon!
And sure enough, when the lady from
the country arrived, red and painting, at
the depot, with dishcvcled hair, bent
bonnet, and shawl dragged all awry, a
modest young girl stood at the door with
card bearing the name of "N1rs. Bruce
Babbitt" in her hand.
'Is it Mrs Pilkington2" said she.
"You amt the new sewing machine,
be you3" said Mrs. Pilkington, rubbing
her nose with a puzzled air. ,"Nor yet
the eighteen yards Of carpet from Stoney-
bridge and Bounce's2'
II am Phoebe" said the young woman
-"Phnbe, at nine dollars a month, if
am lucky enough to SUIT you, maam2"
She was a pretty, blue-eyed lass, with
fresh complexion, and a neat gown oi
green and white seer-suckcr and she
wore bonnet of her own trimming, with
a cluster of butte.-cups on the side.
Mrs. Pilkington looked obviously al
her. She had prepared herself to expect
stout, red handed drudge.
1t did not seem possible that this deli.
cate little applc-blossom of girl could
be a servant of. all-work
But there, sure enough, were her ere
dentials, and the bell, even then, wa'
changing for the closing of the gates.
Come ony said Mrs. Pilkington, and
she rushed through, dragging Pheb'
after her. '1t's strange, though, tha
the carpet and the sewing machine aim
here"
'Did you expect carpet and sewing
machine, maam?" Phoebe asked, respect
fully.
~ bought 'em and paid for 'cm," sale
Mrs. Pilkington, imprcssively, "and
don't see why they amt here
perhaps they will be sent by express,
suggested Phoebe.
~ declare to goodness, Inever though
of that" said Mrs. Pilkington.
And she skurricd through the crowded
car to find a seat.
1t was the dusk OF chilly May even
ing when they reached Blackbird's Ilol
low, and alightc in the midst Of dens
pines and signing tamaracks.
'If Pilkinston hain't remembered t
come and meet US, shall be mad !" sai
Mrs Pilkington, stretching her neck for
ward the better to survey the glimmerin
curves Of the road. "And Pilkington
always forgetting! My goodness, gra
cious rc. what's that - rs Phebc stool
) cd to recover something which she ha,
inadvertently let f,ll
: MY handkerchief, ma'am."
Mr. PiIkippion made n crasp at IL