Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-05-20
sure Y answered Ella. Just leave me TO

manage II.
"Bui I'm afraid the deacon won't like il"
"Weil, and if he doesn't? You don't like
the peddler business, do you ?" re,orted
Ella Dale.
AT one o'clock the table Was all spread.
with three huge central plaiters carefully
shielded with the covers which were ordi
narily brought out on state occasions, and
Mrs. Smart and Ella were peeping out Of
the window. and wondering what KEEP, the
deacon so late.
There he comes now !" said Mrs Smart.
GOOD gracious me- and there is Will.
Niidmay with him We never counted on
him bringing company to dinner, Ella"
Whai signifies company ?" said Ella.
stoutiy maintaining her composure, although
her pretty face had turned pink all over. like
June rose. willis Midmay won't care
when he comprehends it all. Willis is a
sensible man."
Come in, Mr.. Smart-come in Mr.. Mild.
may" said Mrs. Smart. You're half an
hour late, Ebenezer. Ella and could not
imagine what had become Of YOU"
Il hope | am not n,rudinv - said Mr.,
Mildmay, looking a, Ella Dale as il glance
at her rosy face was all the dinner that he
wanted
"Oh, not in the least :" said Mrs. smart.
pray SIT down. We have but plain din
ner to-da, but it is all that nv housekeep-
ing allowance would admit"
mo apologies, my dear" said Deacon
Smart-''no apologies. Hunger is the bes,
sauce. as We well know"
And ihereupan they all seated themselves.
and the deacon ~hisked off the big platter
covers, with oountenanos of expectation.
Hello ~ said the deacon.
There, upon the centre plate, iay the
eighteen pale green papers Of pima. At the
right and left, on smaller plaiters were ar
ranged the cards Of porcelain buttons and
the rolls of tape, while the bottles Of ma
chine-oil and packages OF stove -hlacking
we're arranged like chid's block house on
on sidetable. beneath white napkin hv
way of dessert,
Ella Dale burst out laughing. Mrs.
Smart joined in. Willis Mldmay. .purred
on BY this infectious sound, laughed too.
although he had not the least idea wha, he
was laughing at. The deacon stared as If
he had suddenly become all eyes.
''Jullanna," said he, what i. the meaning
Of all this 2''
at means, Ebenezsr,' his wife responded.
"thst you have spent my housekeeping
money for cheap pedders' wares. and thst
lila and determined to serve them up 10
you for dinner And what you don't eat. We
are gong TO burn and henceforward. what
ever Is bought has Sot to be Of a good quail
lty. or ! won't have II IN the house Because
have come to the conclusion that chart,
Is one thing and justice is another. And Il
You give sle money for housekeeping. 1t
isn't fair FOR YOU 10 spend il IN bu,ing art,-
eles which no en. can use -
Certainly II ISN'T :" said Ella Daie. com
ing Valiant, to the rescue
The deacon. under Jaw dropped he bad
hslt mind TO be angry, hut he thought
better Of II, and broke into slow chuck!e,
"Mildmay." he said. turning to the young
man" "be warned in time You see what
tricks these women folks will be up to-"
But Mr.. Nildma,. who had somehow got
hold Of Elias hand under the folds Of the
tahse-cioth,did not seem to heed these words
Of wisdom as deeply as he should have done
Ladies" said he. there bushei Of
oysters GU, in the wagon, tina, was taking
home. II YOU will build up good fire. ~e'.l
have roast, and Ill be head cook | sup
pose you've got plenty of bread and but
ter
Yes; and good, hot coffee" said Mrs
Smart. Make haste. Ella, and start the
fire to blaze. And we'll stimulate ii with
machne-o,l and cheap pins"
The deacon sat by and msde no demur.
He only laughed IN sheeP..h. silent soF;
OF way.
And the family dnei of no, roast o,s-
,er., bread and butter and coffee
Towards the close Of the repss'. stout,
itlnersnt vender, with basket on his arm,
tapped a, the door.
al hope see Your honor well ?" said he,
with the regular professional whine.
"Will'ee buy something to-day Pms.
needles, shoes-laces, hairpins or little"
But Deacon Smart shut the door 10 the
sery mids, Of his oily orsnous.
mo :" said he.
And the monosyIlable sealed Mrs Smarts
triumph for good and all Helen Forrest