Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1886-08-06

but by main strength they got it at last
to the Slack's door and Mrs. Slack took
her leave, carrying tho piano stool and
cloth herself.
The appearance of hcr beloved piano
gave Mrs. Pepper n great deal of unhap-
piness that evening. 1t had deep
scratch on tho cover and one of tho KEYS
wouldn't lift. However, sho played
wa.tzcs and sets for tho lanccrs most OF
the evening, and as the company went in
to supper in relays-old folks first and
young folks last, rs Mrs. Slack said-sho
found very little left but cup of coffee
and turkey bono when her duties wcro
done.
But there is an end to everything.
One day she saw Mrs. Slack driving up
the road in tho minister's new buggy.
She was wearing the pretty mantilla she
had borrowed of her. With her usual lit
tic gigglc she stopped ut the garden cato.
Mr.. Pepper had taken holiday and
was lying in the hammock reading. His
wife had her sowing under the oak trees
and was extremely happy and comforta-
bic. If Mrs. Sleek had come to ask her
to drive she had resolved not to go. She
would say: "My husband has so fow
holidays cannot leave home to-day"
But Mrs. Slack did no such thing.
"You deer, good SOUL" she cried, as
soon as she was within speaking distance,
81 came to borrow your husband"
"Borrow tchat3" calculated Mrs. Pep
per.
"Your husband" said Mrs. Slack,
"Slacks in New York; am going to n
n picnic; want an escort and some ono
to drive. May have him3"
"You ought to ask Mr.. Pepper him.i
self, said Mrs. Pepper, very coldly. A
81 shan't," said Mrs. Slack, playfully,l
81 came to borrow him of you. You'll
lend him, won't your and shall tell
every one that dear, good angel, Mrs.
Pepper, lent me her husband"
"You insist 1 shall answer, Mrs. Slack"
urs. feppcr answered.
Eyes" lispcd Mrs. Slack, "you'll lend
him, won't you9"
"No!" said Mrs. Pepper in a very de-
cided tone, III am afraid 1 shouldn't get
him back. let you have my piano.
That hasn't been returned. My water
proof-where is that2 My baby's car
rlagc-your baby takes mir in it now.
My cutting-bonrd and scissors, my roll
ing-pin, an all the rest, l haven't seen.
But promised to cleavc unto my hus-
band till death does us part! You surely
never would return him!"
"Oh oh! OH" screamed Mrs. Slack,
turning pink. ''You wicked woman
You mean thingl You shall have all
your horrid things back. Do you want
your spoonful of salt, too, you mean,
mean wrctch2"
Then, tearing the mantila from her
shoulders, she threw it at Mr.. Peppers
head as he struggled from the hammock
and drove away.
Shc borrowed shawl from tho clergy
mans wife aud went to the picnic with
her eldest boy rs escort.
Before her return Mrs. Pepper had
proceeded to her ncighbor's house and
collected her goods and chattcls.
The piano was out of tune and scratch
cd; onions had been kept in the ice
cream freezer, and the mantle had a
grcasc-spot on one shoulder; the child
rem had cut game on the lap-board, and
it was evident Mr.. Slack had whipped
them with the cgg-beatcr. The baby
carriage had been used to carry char
coal home, and the points of the scissors
were gone. So was Mrs. Slacks love.
She goes about abusing Mrs. Pepper rs
the mcancst and most jealous thing she
ever knew