The Washington critic., 1886-05-20
THE LOAN OF A HUSBAND.

Mrs Slack was next neighbor TO the
Peppers when they bought their cot
tage at Seaview, and on the very first
night she tumbled over the scattered
bits of furniture in the passage and ap-
peared in their midst unexpectedly to
borrow little salt She said 1t was
nice to have neighbors again and that
Mrs. Pepper looked so sweet she knew
she wouldn't mind.
At midnight she reused them from
their slumber to inquire if they had
any cholera medicine, for little Peter
had been eating too many green apples
and she thought he would die. She
said she was thankful Mrs. Pepper had
moved in, and that but for that cir
cumstance she might have lost her dar-
ling. Mrs. Pepper was thankful, too,
and the two women embraced with
tears. Then Mrs. Slack borrowed some
mustard for plaster.
The next day she sent Peter, fully
recovered and with his pockets full of
green fruit, to ask for the AK, the
handle having come off theirs; also o
rolling. pin.
Fortunately, the Peppers possessed
three axes and two rolling pins, so they
did not feel disturbed by the fact that
the articles were never returned. But
after short interval filled by loans of
coal, potatoes, bread and cheese, Mrs.
Slack came herself to borrow the
folding. table, q pair of scissors, the
pattern of basque and q low rocking
chair. She was going to make some
dresses, and If Mrs. Pepper would step
over and fit her she'd be much
obliged.
Mrs. Pepper did 1t and made the
button holes, too. Mrs. Slack never
could learn to make button-hole.
The table, the scissors, the rocking
chair and the pattern all remained at
Mrs. Slack's.
The next week Mrs Slack borro we'd
q mantle and water. proof.
Mrs. Pepper by this time grew bold
enough to beg that she would send
them home when she returned.
Mrs. Slack said ''Of course" with
some offense; but when Peter was next
seen it was not to bring back those
articles. What he wanted was the baby
carriage and market basket.
Christmas time came, and with il
cards for party. The Stacks so
hoped they'd all come and enjoy them
selves.
Having accepted, what was more
natural than to take an interest in the
proceedings--to lend sugar and ice
cream freezer, butter. and the egg
beater, the cut. glass goblets and the
best table cloths, the spice-box entire,
and lots of other things? Finally Mrs.
Slack, with her gown tucked up and
her eyes sparkling, ran in to say that
they thought dance would be nice
and could Mrs. Pepper spare the piano
for one evening?
"Theres nobody to move it," said
Mrs. Pepper, rejoiced to have an ex-
cuse. "I'm so sorry"
Mrs. Slack laughed and went to the
window. Four big laborers appeared
and without any preliminary directing
shouldered the instrument and lugged
II away. They bumped 1t against rail
ings and fairly tumbled 1t down in q
plowed field before they finished theil
mission, but by main strength they got
it at last to the Slack's door, and Mrs
Slack took her leave, carrying tn,
piano stool and cloth herself.
The appearance of her beloved plan
gave Mrs. Pepper great deal of un
happiness that evening. 1t had a dcel
scratch on the cover and one of thu
keys wouldn't lift, However, SHIT
played waltzes and sets for the lancer
most of the evening, and as the com
pany went In to supper In rclays-ol,
folks first and young folks last, as Mrs
Slack said--she found very little lef
but cup of cold coffee and turkey
bone when her duties were done.
But there is an end to everything
One day she saw Mrs. Slack driving u
the road in the minister's new buggy
She was wearing the pretty mantill
she had borrowed of her. With he
usual little giggle she stopped at tn
garden gate.
Mr.. Pepper had taken holiday ant
was lying In the hammock reading
His wife had her sewing under the oa
trees and was extremely happy an
comfortable. If Mrs. Slack had com
to ask her to drive she had resolves
not to 60. She would say: my hus
band has SO few holidays cannot leav
home to-day"
But Mrs. Slack did no such thing.
"You dear, good soul" she CRIED
as soon as she was within speakin
I distance, 81 came to borrow your huS
band
Borrow what 2" calculated Mrs
"Your husband" said Mrs. SLACK
"Slack's in New York; Pm going to
picnic; want nm escort and some on
TO drive. May / have him2'
"You ought to ask Mr.. Pepper hin
SELF" said Mrs. Pepper, very coldly.
81 shan't," said Mrs. Slack, pla,
fully. II came to borrow him Of yol
You'll lend him, won't you? and sha
tell every one that dear, good ange
Mrs. Pepper, lent me her husband"
Mrs. Slack was looking very prett,
The embroidered mantilla became ht
vastly. She had a dainty sky-blu
bonnet on her blonde head, and 81
smiled at Mr.. Pepper out of the cornt
of her eye,
Mrs. Pepper imagined that she So
on her husbands face the shadow of
desire to be Mrs. Sack's escort to IL
picnic. That settled the affair,
"You insist | shall answer, Mr.
Slack" she answered.
"Yes," lisped Mrs. Slack; ''you'
lend him, won't youg'
"Nop' said Mrs. Pepper in very d
cided tone. "I'm afraid | shouldn
get him back. ! let you have IL
piano. That hasn't been returne,
My water-proof-where is that? NJ
baby's carriage--your baby takes air
1t now. My cutting-board and scissor
my rolling.pin, and all the rest,
haven't seen. But promised to cleaS
unto my husband till death doth I
part You surely never would retul
himp'
"Ohl OH ohl' screamed Mrs. Slacl
| turninp mink U'YOu wicked WOma