Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-06-03

he's too good hearted to say no; or,
rather-let us speak the truth, and
shame him who shall be nameless be-
tween us-he is really too indolent
to resist their importunities.'
Ella burst out laughing.
But what an insignificant little
trial y she said.
oh, yes, l dare say said Mrs.
Smart. The sting of hornet isn't so
very terrible in itself, but when q
whole swarm is let loose upon you,
what thenf'
"A whole swarm ? repeated innocent
Ella.
Ny dear. Sid Mrs. sa.a-t. ..srasr-
ing her voice to a confidential whis-
per, up. stairs in my bed room closet,
| have eighteen papers of just such
cheap pins-utterly useless for any
thing but to bend themselves up iou-
BILE when you try to put them through
a single thickness of calico, and to de-
prive you of your temper just when
you need it most; six cards Of porce-
lain buttons, an article which | never
use; nine packages of stove blacking;
thirteen bottles of machine oil; FIVE
papers of rusty needles; a dozen pairs
OF shoe strings, and eight rolls of tape.
which is an insult to ones common
sense If | could reconcile it to nv
conscience, I'd fling the whole collec-
tlon into the fire; but was brought
up to economic. What do YOU think,
Ella, would it be a sin to annihilate
all these pit falls to my equanimity ?
Its rather a hard problem, said
Ella, soberly.
And with all this, said Mrs. Smart,
waxing vehement as she went on, 'Eb-
enezer is unwilling to give me money
to buy decent darning needles and re-
spectacle tape. He wonders why !
can't make my dresses last a little
longer, and thinks | am e1travagant
in wanting a new feather for my old
velvet bonnet. He says that use too
many raisins and spices, and asks me
why can't raise poultry and have
eggs 10 exchange for groceries at
the village store. And yet-oh, the
;-sonsiste~sy .f mamie errAeis mo
to give a bowl of coffee and sand
wich, to say nothing OF wedges of ap-
pie pie, and hree-cornered bits Of
cake to every able bodied tramp and
stout peddler woman who happens to
come along.
Doesn't he make any allowance for
it in the housekeeping money ?'asked
Ella.
Not he, Just look here Mrs.
Smart opened the drawer ofthe kitch
en- table. This is where keep the
housekeeping money-which he gives
me every week-and he came here
twice this morning-once to get a
quarter for lame beggar, and again
to get ten pennies for that same out
rageous paper of pins
And she ca.Et a baleful glance at the
article, which still lay on the dresser.
This is piracy, said Ella judicially.
It's highway robbery declared
Mrs. Smart. And there comes the
butchers cart, and l haven't money
enough left from my weeks allowance
to buy single steak, and here it is
only Wednesday,
Cant you buy on credit?'
Never said Mrs. Smart, with
spirit. It's a thing I never have
done, and / never Will do
Elias hazel eyes sparkled, as she
shook her head vehemently at the
butcher, who was just now checking
his old horses at the door.
Nothing to day, she said.
Mrs. Smart dashed away a tear.
Give me some of that shelled corn,
Ella, she said. 4 suppose l can catch
a chicken for dinner.
Do nothing of the sort, my dear,
said Ella.
But what are We to do?'
Why, have a picked up dinner,
answered Ella. You just leave me
to manage it for you.
But I'm afraid the deacon won't
like it, said Mrs. Smart.
Well, and ifhe doesen't' You don t
like the peddler business, do you?
quickly retorted Ella.
At one o'clock the table was all