Connecticut western news., 1886-05-26
THE LAST STRAW,

Mrs. Slack was next ncighbor to the Peppers when they bought their cottage at Seaview, and on the very first night she tumbled over the scattered bits of furniture in the passage and appeared in their midst unexpectedly to borrow lit tie salt. She said it 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 slumbers to inquire if they had any chol- era 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 circumstance she might have lost her darling. Mrs. Pepper was thankful, too, and the two women en- braced with tears. Then Mrs. Slack bor- rowed some mustard for plaster. The next day she sent Peter, fully re- covered and with his pockets full of green fruit, to ask for the ax, the handle having come off theirs; also a 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 a short interval filled by loans of coal, potatoes, bread and cheese, Mrs. Slack came herself to borrow the folding table, pair of scissors, the pattern of basque, and 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 it and made the but ton-holes, too. Mrs Slack never could learn to make a button-hole. The table, the scissors, the rocking-chair, and the pattern all remained at Mrs. Stacks.
 Tho next week Mrs. Slack borrowed a mantle and a waterproof.
 Mrs. Pepper by this time grew bold enough to beg that she would send them home when she returned.
 Mrs. Slack said 'sOf course" with some offense, but when Peter was next seen it was not to bring back those arti- cles. What he wanted was the baby carriage and market basket.
 Christmas time came and with it cards for party. The Stacks so hoped they'd all come and enjoy themselves.
 Having accepted what was more natu- ral than to take an interest in the pro- ccedings-to lend sugar and ice-cream freezer, butter, and the egg-beater, the cut-giass goblets and the best table-cloths, the spice-box entire, and lots of other things2 Finally Mrs. Slack, with her gown tucked up and her eyes sparkling, ran it to say that they thought dance would be nice and could Mrs. Pepper spare the piano for one evening2
 ''There's nobody to move it." said Mrs. Pepper, rejoiced to have an excuse. 'T'm so souy."
 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 it against railings and fairly tumbled it down in plowed field before they finished their mission, but by main strength they got it at last to the Stacks door and Mrs. Slack tool her leave, carrying tho piano stool ane cloth herself.
 The appearance of her beloved piano gave Mrs. Pepper great deal of unhap piness that evening. It had a deel scratch on the cover and one of the key wouldn't lift. However, she paayeS x,a&so snd ssts for tho lanoess most