Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-03-26
Going on a Visit.

l went down to the depot two
hours before train time, writes Nj.
Quad, because 1 had several errands
to do there. Looking up the broad
street which ran through the village,
| saw an old black horse, hitched TO
a light wagon, coming down on the
gallop. In the wagon was man and
woman. The woman waved her hand
and the man piled the whip and in a
few minutes the rig turned in and
stopped at the platform with such
suddenness that the mud flew in all
directions.
Has she gone? shouted the woman
as she began to climb out.
Who?
The train.
No, ma'am.
Well, that's piece of good luck.
/ thought we'd be about five minutes
too late. For mercy's sake, get that
trunk checked and buy my ticket.
Yes, Mary, yes, he replied as he
put forth his best effort, and he drag
ged the chest down the platform and
asked for a ticket and a check.
1t is an hour and fifty minutes yet,
replied the agent.
W-what Hear that, Mary. You
have been fretting and fussing since
o'clock this morning, and here we
are two hours ahead of time.
1t can't be
That's what he SAYS.
Well, William, don't you believe
all he says You remember how Aunt
Harper got left by taking the word
of a ticket agent. Sometimes trains
are ahead of time and sometimes be-
hind. Kiss me good bye, William.
But there's lots of time, Mary.
She appealed to me to settle the
question and when put the time at
an hour and 45 minutes she consent
ed to go into the waiting room. She
sat down on the edge of a seat and
nervously began an inventory.
Here's my handkerchief, and here's
my wallet with 80 cents in it, and
here's my snuff box and thimble and
steel bowed glasses. Here's the re-
ceipt for making hard soap I'm TAX
ing to Cousin Jane, and here's the
box of mutton taller to 60 to Square
johnson. William I'm all right
haven't forgotten thing
Do tell
And L only had five weeks to get
ready in Well, William, goodbye.
Oh, pshaw, Mary-lots of time
yet.
Don't be too sure about it. You
can't always tell about these railroads.
l don't want to get left.
She sat down again, took a second
inventory, and then musingly said;
/ covered up the -four barrel, and
hung up that bag of dried pumpkin,
and put that jar of soap away, and
lowered the curtains in the parlor,
and shut up the cook stove.
Yes, Mary, replied the husband.
And l poured the water out of the
tea-kettle, carried that piece of but
ter down stairs, sent home Mrs. All
ken's drawin' of tea and a cup of
brown sugar, and put that piece of
pork back in the brine.
Yes, I'll swear to it.
Well, goodbye, William, I'll be
home in three weeks.
1t isn't time yet, Mary. It's over
an hour before the train'll be along.
Well, don't make any mistake.
You know, Cousin Hannah dreamed
l got left, and l don't want it to
come true. And now let's see: You
are to board at Henry's and 60 over
to the house once day.
Yes.
Be careful and shut all the doors
after you.
will.
And don't build no fires.
No,
And don't let the swill pail get
frozen up again.
No.
Well, goodbye. 1t must be time
to go.
Oh, now, Mary, but its just an
hour by the clock. Don't be SO ner-
vous.
i am a little nervous, / suppose,
: but / reckon its because I've forgot
ten something. Did you take the
starch back to Mrs. DavisE
Yes.
And carry the Widder Smiths ket-
tie home?
Yes.
And did / scald the coffee-pot out
and hang it up behind the stove
Yes, | saw you.