The Iola register., 1889-08-09

half-hour, and after blowing the horn
vigorously twice, she was just on the
point OF going down to the barn to see
what had happened. when Deacon Croft
appeared in a most woful plight.
Little rivulets of milk were running
down his hair, off the end of his nose,
and meandering slowly along his
sleeves and trousers; he was dripping
wet from head to foot, and the pail was
empty.
Ezekiel Croft" cried Aunt Mary,
with uplifted hands, ''what her you
done?"
well. Mary" said he. looking at
her with moist and milky smile, Il
hain't done very much. but the COW
shes done consid' able" and he laughed
heartily.
''Ye see, Mary. she amt used to me,
and she kinder objected to my milkin'
her, an he'd TO smooth her down con-
sid'able before she'd let me begin. An
then l took Toms milkin' stool. an |
amt quite so slim as l was once.
Il felt it kinder teeterin' under me
two or three times, but / thought I'd
set ruther light on it an get through;
but jest as l was goin' to move the pail
on one side. | brought my heft down
pretty solid, an the three legs jest soft
ly spread out, and away went Deacon
'Zekiel Croft fiat on his back, with his
feet flyin' in the air, The cow was so
scairt at my antics that she kicked up
her heels, too. an over went the brim-
min pail O. milk, an here l be perfect
ly soaked. Well. Mary, they say't a
milk-bath's good for the complexion,
so you're likely to hev a pretty ham
some husband after this"
Handsome or not, Ezekiel Croft, do
you go an change your clothes this
minute. or you'll have your death-cold.
Seems as if every thing goes wrong
this morning somehow"
80 1t does" said Uncle Ezekiel.
giving backward glance as he walked
off, and then turning fairly around:
Mary" said he, I've made a dis
covery. Toms pretty handy boy to
have around mornin's"
Il guess you'd thought so if you'd
seen me picking up wet chips for kim
dim wood" sighed Aunt Mary.
There! did forget it. after all"
said Uncle Ezekiel. regretfully. Tom
told me the very last thing to be sure
an not forget Aunt Mary's kindlin'
wood. That boy must step round
pretty lively mornin's to get through
before school, an never thought he
did any thing either! Don't seem to.
somehow"
At last they gathered around the
breakfast table. an hour late. 1t was
silent. like the supper of the night
before. and other silent meals succeed
ed it.
Il don't know what in the world m
goin' to do about the pieces" said
Aunt Mary. complainingly. Tom had
been gone six days. There's pieces
of pie we've left settin' all down one
of the pantry shelves, and there's that
jar of cookies! It's full yet, and it
don't last any time when Toms home.
He's worth sight to eat up the pieces,
anyway. Beats all how that boy enjoys
eatir.::'
Seems as though we don't eat any
thing" she said again that evening as
she looked around the supper table dis
contendedly.
The professor had already folded his
napkin, and was looking through his
glasses straight before him with Sc
rious air.
isn't there any thing more that you
would like?n she asked, turning to
him.
Thank you, no." he replied. Il
was just thinking" he added, rather
primly, las | looked at the empty
place, that nature abhors vacuum,
and it would be rather pleasant to have
Toms merry face opposite me-"
"'Twould be a great thing for the
cookies and pics, anyway" remarked
Uncle 'ZekieL They're just spilin'
for him. to say nothin' of the evenin
chores and he walked out heavily to
stable the horse, lock up the barn and
split the kindling.
About eight o'clock that evening they
al gathered in the old-fashioned sit
ting-room. around the cheerful open
fire, for the evening was cool The
professor sat at his own little table,
writing a very learned article on The
Higher Education;" Aunt Mary was
knitting on a warm and cozy-looking
red mitten-not very large one-and
Uncle Ezekiel was busy trying to find
out from the columns of the village pa
per which party was going to save the
country in the coming elections.
1t was perfectly quiet" and they
were enjoying peace" Not sound
broke the silence until a cricket. think
ing itself alone, came out on the hearth
and chirped little.
There" said Aunt Mary. I'm
thankful to hear something. Seems as
if we're having a funeral here now
adays-"
Uncle 'Zekiel looked over the top of
the paper and caught her furtively
wiping away tear.
Now. now. Mary, that'l never do"
said ne, soothingly. What's gone
wrong to-day"
..Oh. | don't know what is the mat
ter" she replied. Perhaps I'm nerv-
Gus. But it's dreadful lonesome.
Uncle 'Zekiel arose. and. laying aside
the paper, walked up and down the
loom with his hands clasped behind