Connecticut western news., 1886-09-22
BLUE MONDAY"


 If ever blue Monday dawned upon the terrestrial ball, it was this thirteenth day of September, 1S-.
 The equinoctial had come before its time, with rush of angry rain borne on the wings os morning wind; the kitch- en chimney smoked rancorously, and the seuttle leaked steady ''drip, drip, drip" directly over the roses and tulips of the best-room carpet.
 "A regular spell of weather" said Mr. Crayfsh, chuckling, as he shaved him. self, with one of the children play1ng horse with his suspenders, and the other packing differentiated marbles into the toe of his slipper.
 But Mir. Crayfsh, as his wife scornful- ly remarked, would chuckle at anything. 'I am sure 1 don't know what is to become of mel" said she, sorrowfully. "With Bridget gone, and the range out of order, and this terrible rain, and not 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 asthetic tea, or literary breakfast, in honor of young Lord Ernest Elberon, now that he is here gathering material for his book on Woman's Upward Progress'n
 Hang progress!" said Mir. Crayfsh, emptying the marbles out of his slipper toe.
 .sYes, that's just like you, Leander," said Mrs. Crayfsh, fretfully. 'If you had your way, you would tread us all under foot, like inferior beings"
 '4n tie meantime" said Crayfish, 'Td like my breakfas.." And his wife went slowly and despond- ently down stairs, wondering how she should get wori to the plumber about the range.
 But the milkman, opportunely present. ing himself, volunteered to leave an order at the plumbers shop.
 'I must get something done on the re- port to-day" she pondered, as she sliced up potatoes for frying. sNIrs. Edge worth, from Chicago, is to be at to- norow's meeting, and Oh, dearp' as the knife slipped, inhicting sharp little gash on her finger. 'I knew there was destined to be a blue Monday when the decorated lamp-shade cracked, all of itself, before daylight this morningp
 And Mrs. Crayfsh, forgetting all about her Elevation" and "Aims," burst into tears, as any milk-maid might have done.
 The range obstinately declined to cook the chimney poured clouds of smoke down into Mrs. Crayfsh's face; and the family breakfasted upon yesterdays oat- meal, with little milk.
 ''Is this @stheticf' said MT. Crayfsh; :; tor is it literarya"
 'Leander, how can you2' sobbed his wife.
 'TIl stop myself and jog that plumbers memory" said Mir. Crayfsh, good humoredly. '.Don't fret, Carry It will be all right"
 '1 wish you would not call me Carry, when my name is Carolinap said Mrs Crayfsh.
 Just at noon the door-bell rang.
 "Who is itl'' shrieked Mrs. Crayfsl to the little Crayf shes, who were stretch ing their necks out of the front window
 ss1's young man, with a blacl leather bag, map shouted back tn youthful scions of the race.
 'That everlasting pumber!" said Mrs Crayfsh.
 t1'll teach himp
 And with her kitchen apron swallow ing her in its sombre folds, and her hai all bristling in porcupine papers, Mrs Crayfish hurried to the door.
 t.Do address Mrs. Leander Cray dsh2" began the young man.
 
 'I should rather think you didr' sai Mrs. Crayish, tartly. 'And if this the way you intend to transact business want nothing more to do with youw
 '1 am very sorroy, ma'am, but"
 'I dare sayr' curtly interrupte, Mrs. Crayhsh. "But don't want t listen to any excuses. Be so very good if you please, as to come down stairs q once and get to work, without furthe less of time."
 And she led the way down to th kitchen, talking volubly as she went
 But before she could explain the mar fold shortcomings of the delinquer range, the door-belI sounded fer tl second time, loud and long, and MT Crayish was obliged to hurry up stai once more.
 This time it was an old lady, stout an red-faced, with puffs of gray hair C either side of her, face, and her port Agurs shrouds I'd in g waterproof cloak.
 ssAunt Panela, as true as I livep' erie n. ts16sh xhe never bad met h,