The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-10
GOING INVESTING.
BY NJ. QUAD

hours before tram time because hau 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 were man and woman. The woman waved her hand and the man piled the whip, and in couple of minutes the rig turned in and stopped at the platform with such audiences that the mud flew in all directions.
 "Has she gone?" shouted the woman, ss she began to climb out. "Who?"
 "The train."
 No, ma'am."
 "Well, that's piece of good luck, I 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 dragged the chest down the platform and asked for ticket and check.
 "It is an hour and fifty minutes yet" replied the agent.
 "W-what Hear that, Mary !! You've been fretting and stewing since 8 o'clock this morning, and here we are two hours ahead of time"
 "It can't bel"
 "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 behind. Kiss me goodbye, 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 forty five minutes she consented to go into the waiting room. She sat down on the edge of a seat and nervously began an inven- tory.
 "Here's my handkerchief, and here's my wallet with ninety cents in it, and here's my snuff box and thimble and steel bowed glasses. Here's the recipe for making hard soap Pm taking to Cousin Jane, and here's that box of mutton taller to go to Squire John- son. William, Pm all right-haven't forgotten thingw
 "Do tell"
 "And I 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. I don't want to get left"
 She sat down again, took second inventory, and then musingly said
 w've covered up the flour barrel, and hung up that bag of dried pump kin, and put that jar of soft soap away, and lowered the curtains in the parlor, and shut up the cook stove.
 "Yes, Mary" replied the husband.
 "And I poured the water out of the tea kettle, carried the piece of butter down stairs, sent home Mrs. Atkins drawin' of tea and cup of brown sugar, and put that piece of pork back into the brine."
 "Yes, I'll swear to it."
 "Well, goodbye, William. I'll be home in three weeks"
 "It isn't time yet, Mary. It's over an hour before the train'll come along"
 "Well, don't make any mistake, You know, Cousin Hannah dreamed that got left and l don't want 1t to come true. And now let's sec You are to board at Henry's and to go over to the house once day?"
 "Yes."
 "Be careful to shut all the doors after you"
 M will"
 "And don't build no fires.
 "No."
 "And don't let the swill-pail get frozen up again."
 "Well, William, goodbye. It must be time to go."
 "Oh, no, Mary, but it's just all hour by the clock. Don't be so nerv- ous."
 T am little nervous, I suppose, but reckon it's because Pve forgot ten something. Did you take the starch back to Mrs. Davis?"
 "I did"
 "And carry the Widder Smiths kettle home?"
 "Yes."
 "And did I scald the coffee pot out and hang it up behind the stove?"
 "Yes, l saw you"
 "And wipe out the the stove biler and hang 1t up in the cellar-way?"
 "Yes."
 "Well, that's all, I guess, and I'll kiss you goodbye. I'll write you on Sunday"
 "Now, Mary, don't be so oneasy. It's bad sign"
 "Yes, I seem to be ofIeasy, but l hope 1t don't mean airthquakes or hurricanes. Now, William, your liver medicine is on the shelf in the