Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1889-09-05


| and we had a wager, you see"
The gossips did not sec, and said so
| with no delay, the chance Of having an
other item to add TO their already exten-
sive budget Of scandal about Peter Skroogs
being too great temptation To let pass
unimproved.
well, you see" began Mrs. Skroogs
third: then she paused As II rejecting.
Il don't think" she said. that 1t would
be quite fair To Peter to tell you now that
lie had promised to be always kind to me.
It's an awful good Joke. aud ia like to
tell you, but as long as Ia sticks to his
bargain and behaves. | feel bound TO hold
my tongue. When he gets on tsntrun
again, I'll tell you something that will make
you laugh from then 10 Christmas"
| Peter In the rece>ses Of the chest under
stood the implied threat as perfectly as II
| 1t had been addressed to him at first hand,
| and he realized that there was no altcrua-
| tive eut for him to submit. He was morc-
| over not without some admiration OF the
cleyerness and pluck Of his better half.
who had 40 signally reduced him to sub
| mission.
do tell u.s." urged the visitors. but the
hostess remained firm. and they were
Obliged to he content with her promise
that on the next outbreak OF Peter she
would tell them the truc history Of the
chest
"You ail look at the Ghost well. Mrs
Peter said 80 that YOU nav understand
the story when tell II TO you"
They viewed II over and commented mp
| on its huge pronortions
"One could really "a. into it.~ Ni~s
Sharpe observed and the remark threw
Peter into cold FerspiratIon lest the hint
be followed up uptU they ,,trS.,l Tho
truth.
1t would ,ln 10 ,lypr IN +" Nrs C.nd.r
suggested IF vnn ever want to ciopc
from your husband va can ~ moved out
in ;hi. chest
Would 10 heaven hal Ar- lt tais
chest" srowl,.d Peter H. himself. "Id
~non move her out. ..tid bur, hcr Al thaf +
OR shut your husband m, In IL p,,, IN
Miss Ncttle. III vnu cauFl only catch
him aud get him In III the dr,t place. that
is"
Mrs Skroogs laughed ami shook Her
head
NO ~hc sAIa Hyou wonld never. new
cr guess The truth bl, L vyu 30 not make
ypursclsc- ~ore wnh laughing whrIl trll
you. then | SIN for once To my life thor.
oughly mistaken
II was ntta par; ~ Mrs ~kroogs plan
10 hasten the movements f hcr guests.
and they partnok ~ The dliu'ic- -ct ay-
ishiy before them With The utmost dclihcr-
alton. She fingered fN- a time iha. to .hr
inmate Of the chest -cetncd we'll nigh in
termnabIc. amt after that they fingered
yet longer, and sttll Yet awhile - tell their
hostess hat good time thcg hal hah
anil how glad they were that ~he seemed
to hc able - live win that monster " 4
husband "f her.
Il .m % glad yan have Jet IL talk
plainly to yoG. Mrs tandor observed BE-
fore she took her departure. 1T i well
fpr YOU to understand jl>t what Your has
band Is
MY husband. returned Mr. Skroog~.
raising her voice little mas not been a
model II mas br permitted d. say IN. hut
assure you hc /, different man from
what hc has been Really should not be
in the lca-t surprised X NJ behaved % vel
that never shall have q chance to tell you
that funny story about tAc chest
20 don't YOU deceive your-..lf NV dear
Was the othrr- reply He NAV brha,r
for day or two but IN lr.s than week
we shall know all about II II you Keep your
promise
20 shall certainly Keep NV promise
answered Mrs Skrnocs; and her quests
departed
The good " ife trsppc,i singing into the
banquet room. where the maid had been
busy In cI,sriu. away the remains of n.
feast and with the assistance Of the ser
want set out upon table A dainty repast
for one. Then she dismissed the maid and
unlocked the chest,
Your supper j. ready Peter" she said
A. calmly a. if he were slttsn. In his chair