Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-09-26

into her coy sitting-room, where her
sharp gaze quickly took in every detail,
from the figure in the carpet to tho
neat work-basket. upon which, half
open, lay the last number of a fash.
ionable magazine. Catching il up and
turning over the leaves, Mrs. Gordon
remarked:
so you take the magazine, do
youp"
~ consider no lady's home complete
without it. DO you take itp" asked
Mrs. Holden.
ia! no." replied the caller, laying
the book down. II don't see no use
payin' out money for what you can
jest as well get without. The last lady
that lived here took it, and always got
hers. l was wondering, to-day, if you
took it, SOS ] could 60 on with the sto-
ries. It's a mighty nice book, amt
itP'
VERY nice. indeed returned Mrs.
Holden, making firm resolve that her
treasured magazines should not cross
the fence, to come back ruined.
Don't keep no girl, do YEP" asked
Mrs. Gordon, setting out OH another
track
mo. I don't need help when am
well. There are only two of u.s."
Young fcller's your son, ]
reckonP"
"Yes, madam"
you must be widow, Is'poseP"
"Yes, these five years"
Don't do your own washing, do
your pursued the visitor, calmly.
Mrs. Holden laid down the bit Of
crochet work she had picked up, and
looking her caller quietly in the eye,
she answered: "No. madam; nor my
ironing, either hire part of my sew
ing done, and do the rest myself.
am forty-six, and Harryis twenty-five.
We paid cash for this house, and mean
to keep il. We attend the Episcopal
Church, and pay our debts promptly.
Any thing else you would like to know,
Mrs. Gordonp"
The woman looked astonished, and
answered: ia! no. i never was O
hand to ask questions, like some folks
l jest come over n minute to get ac-
quainted. You like to be ncighborly. ]
reckon, Mrs HoldenP"
Indeed l do, with the right kind of
neighbors. -
Eyes, to be sure; that's what l
mean. jest run over the back way to
be neighborly. I'll 20 back now, l
guess. Do come over soon. Mrs. Hol-
den."
Thank you" replied Mrs. Holden,
pleasantly, without accepting the invi-
tation or asking the ''neighborly" lady
to repeat her call.
If there's any little thing you're out
of, don't hesitate to send over. do be-
lievc in folks bein' accommodatin', "
said Mrs. Gordon, rising to go. "Haint
got much acquainted with Oak street
folks yet. suppose"
No." said Mrs. Holden.
"Well, some of 'cm will do, and
some won't I'll run in again and give
you few hints, SO you won't get took
in. But really must hurry home.
Good-night-and do be sociablc, Mrs.
Holden"
Goodnight" was all the answer
that Mary Holden made, but she
laughed jolly little laugh when Mrs.
Gordon was gone. And she might
have laughed again had she known
that in spite Of her hurry, that lady had
run in" to see two other neighbors
before she went home, and told them
that the new lady at No. "a was the
''queercst woman she ever did scc!'
Next day little johnny Gordon came
over and said: INA wanted to borry q
DRAWN of tea and three eggs; when
she got some, she'd send 'cm home"
Certainly" said Mrs. Holden. She
marked the articles down on paper
tackled up by the kitchen window, and
then gave them TO Johnny, who looked
on with big eyes of wonder
Encouraged by this success, in the
evening johnny came back, saying
ma wants to borry two or three Of
your last magazines.
Tell your MOTHER said Mrs,
Holden, kindly, ''that if she wishes tc
subscribe for the magazine. will ado
her name to my club with pleasure
but mine are too valuable to lend"
Away went Johnny, and Mrs. Holder
said, laughingly: Nov, I've thrown
the first bombv'
But she heard no dreadful result
nor was she troubled again until tn,
next Monday. when Ella Gordon cam,
over and asked for the loan of Mrs
Holden's Sunday cloak. las ma wa
goin' to lecture
''Tell your mother my cloak fits M
one but myself" said Mrs. Holden
calmly. And of ran the child to re
peat the message.
But Tuesday evening brought John
ny with plate, asking for pound o
butter.
Tell her she has not returned tn,
eggs and tea yet" said Mrs. Holden
you can see the paper there. Ineve
lend the second thing until the frs
comes back"
Johnny departed. Presently il
bounced Mrs. Gordon, red in the face
bringing the eggs and tea.
Here's your thingsr' she snapped
setting them on the table. THAT lit
tie idiot, Johnny. says you mark ever,
thing body borrows down on pa
per. But don't believe it,.
! Sec for YOURSELF" returned Mrs