Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-09-24
" BLUE MONDAY"


If ever a blue Monday dawned upon
the terrestrial ball, it was this thirteenth
day Of September, is.
The equinoctial had come before its
time, with a rush of angry rain borne on
the wings o! a morning wind; the kitch-
en- chimney smoked rancorou,ly, and the
scuttle leaked steady drip, drip, drip"
directly over the roses and tulips of the
restroom carpet.
"a regular spell Of weather. said Mr..
Crayfish, chuckling, as he shaved him
self, with one of the children playing
horse with his suspenders, and the other
packing difTerent-slzed marbles into the
toe of his slipper.
But Mr.. Crayfsh, as his wife scornful-
ly remarked, would chuckle at anything.
81 am sure l don't know what is to
become of me-" said she, sorrowfully
"With Bridget gone, and the 1angc out
Of order, and this terrible rain, and not
a 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 Womau's Elevation Society, and
Mrs. Ponsonby sending word that she
SAail expect me to give an aesthetic tea,
Nliterary breakfast, in honor of young
Ernest Elbcron, now that he is
gathering material for his book on
for tbman's Upward Progress.
Hang progressw said Mr.. Crayfsh,
G. Fying the marbles out OF mis- slipper
r,,Y Yes, that's just like you. 1.ess.a..-y
- Mrs. Crayfsh, fretfuIly. '1f YOU
your way you would tread us all
'h,,t,a aer foot, like inferior beings"
osl AIn the meantim", said Crayfsb, 'Td
+. my breakfast"
md his wife went slowly and dospond-
y down stairs, wondering how she
lid get worl to the plumber about
range.
ut the milkman, opportunely present
k1himself, volunteered to leave an order
le plumbers shop.
II must get something done on the re-
port to-day" she pondered, as she sliced
up potatoes for frying. 'Ndrs. Edge
worth, from Chicago, is to be at to-
morrow's meeting, and Oh, dearw as
the knife slipped, inijctng a sharp little
cash on her finger. Il knew there was
destined to be blue Monday when the
decorated lamp-shade cracked, all of
itself, before daylight this morningw
And Mrs. Crayish, forgetting all about
her Elevation" and Gains, " 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. Crayfish's face; and the
family breakfasted upon yesterdays oat-
meal, with little milk
'Is this esthetic2n said Mr.. Crayfsh;
"or is it literary9"
"Leandcr, how can you2" sobbed his
wife.
"Fl stop myself and jog that
plumbers memory" said Mr.. Crayfsh,
good humoredly. Don't fret, Garry
1t will be all right"
81 wish you would not call me Garry,
when my name is Cardinal" said Mrs.
Crayfsh.
Just at noon the door-bell rang.
"Who is itP' shrieked Mrs. Crayfsh
to the little Crayfishes, who were stretch
ing their necks out of the front window.
'Its young man, with a black
leather bag, map shouted back the
youthful scions of the race.
THAT everlasting pumberl" said Mrs.
Crayfsh.
"rll teach him"
And with her kitchen apron swallow
ing her in its sombre folds, and her hair
all bristling in porcupine papers, Mrs.
Crayfsh hurried to the door.
do l address Mrs. Leander Cray
fishG" began the young man.
81 should rather think you did," said
Mrs. Crayfish, tartly. "And if this is
the way you intend to transact business,
want nothing more to do with you"
Il am very sorroy, ma'am, but"
81 dare say" curtly interrupted
Mrs. Crayfsh. "But l don't want to
listen to any excuses. BE so very good,
if you please, as to come down stairs at
once and get to work, without further
less of time"
And she led the way down to the
Kitchen, talking volubly as she went
But before she could explain the man
ifold shortcomings of the delinquent
range, the door-bell sounded fer the
second time, loud and long, and Mrs
Crayfsh was obliged to hurry up stairs
once more.
This time it was an old lady, stout and
red-faced, with puffs Of gray hair on
either side of her face, and her portly
figure shrouded in a waterproof clolk.
"Aunt Pamela, as true as live" cried
NIyc Cravfieh uybo ,,auar ha1 ,,,at har