The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-02-04

cess, when MIR. Whitaker, of Chicago,
after doing something very sharp in
corn sent his wife to Flintville, to visit
her father, Deacon Billings 81 never
heard of a minister's preaching through
August |" she exclaimed, lifting her be-
jewelled hands. And the next Sun
day, the long desired vacation was
granted, although Squire Pogg opposed
it, saying, if he hired a man to hoe
corn, he did not expect him to skip
every other row.
"Where shall we go, Matilda2" said
Mir. Eldeberry, the next morning.
Eve r' exclaimed Mrs. Elderberry,
tremulously, its your vacation, Jonas.
II don't see how can leave. There's
the hens, and the house, and the mis-
sionsry bed-quilt; and Cousin Alzina
liable to come any day."
My DEAR" said Mr.. Elderberry,
with full eyes, eff 60 anywhere, you
shall accompany me-"
Thursday evening came; but Mr..
Elderberry had not succeeded in OBJ
tanning a cent from the 'fback salary"
He had been asked exactly ffty-two
times where he was going, and when he
would start and there was in his
pocket-book fifteen dollars and seventy
five cents.
''TiIIa," he said coaxlngly. "Let's
90 and see Sister Martha"
Though Mrs. Martha Tucker had
been like a daughter in Mr.. Elderber-
rvs fathers house, she was the child of
his mothers sister. She had been mar
ried five years when he welded Matilda,
and had soon afterwards visited them
at the parsonage. When she had invi
ted them to come and see her, Mr..
Elderberry had always intended to do
so but the Tucker farm was forty miles
away across the hills, the stage fare was
an item to be considered. and his wife
always received his remarks on the sub
ject in silence. Without much thought
about the matter, he had concluded
that Matilda was prejudiced against his
adopted sister, and was secretly vexed ;
for Martha was the only one of his
many relatives who had not demanded
some favor of him.
81 don't want to go a-cousining,' y
said Mrs. Elderberry, with unconscious
sarcasm.
you've never had chance" said
Mr.. Elderberry, dryy. "But we've
got to leave town before Sunday. We
will only stay few days, and | think
Martha will be glad TO see u.s.
Mr.. fuckers desire to accumulate
money, with his wife's desire to be
/ known as perfect housekeeper, had
never been checked by childish fingers
and Mrs. fuckers naturally unsympa
r thetic temper had hardened into some
: thing very frosty indeed. To unpin
| her nice beds, and have her chairs
: thrust into new places, above all to
haye extra cooking going on, and hel
orderly plans frustrated, irritated her. Il
/ she had known her cousins were COM
ing, she would have schooled herself 9
. little, but, as it was, she saw them de-
=, scend from the stage with ill-concealed
: dismay, and greeted them with the ex-
. clamation, Il never did p' Il wish ]
: had brought my sermon on the fulfill,
r ing Of the law" said Mr.. Elderberry
that night to his wife. Martha says
, that leland Vodecker breaches at East
/ Gypsum. l remember him, and | think
he keeps up his Hebrew" But the
next morning Mr.. Tucker hitched uI
: his colt, and with his wife started fol
S the postotfice three miles away. 1t was
! noon when they returned, SO the alb
} sence of the sermon on the law was o.
/ no consequence. In the meantime,
the maid OF all work had gone out tc
|, visit the wife of the hired man, and, II
I her hurry, had left the kitchen door
: open.
. The hens took advantage of the op-
portunity. and hoped in quietly, til
the place was full of them. BY some
/ curious instinct, Mrs. Tucker divinec
their presence the moment she entered
the house. ''There's folks who wouldn'
, hear a whole menagcrle in the mex
room !" she exclaimed scornfully, attel
j., a vigorous use of the broom. "It's pre-
y cious few times I've ever been away
from home; but when | have I've
/ worked myself to skin and bones p
: At bottom Mrs. Elderberry was q
= very determined woman, and when she
:, said that evening, g Jonas, | shall take
a the stage tomorrow for Flintville," hel
: husband knew better than to oppose
her. Two days afterward, when he hac
resolved to follow her, he received the
4 following note from her:
n You must contrive, dear Jonas, tc
). remain away from home the four Sun
: days. In the Orthodox organ for thi
n week it says: mir. Jonas Elderberry
e the pastor of that bulwark of the faitf
:. the Flintville church, is spending hi
e vacation trout-ishing. All our pastor
n cannot, we know, enjoy this diversion
c but let each one draw near to nature