The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-10-17
APRIZE PUMPKIN.

80 John is married. Sort of opex-
pected, amt it," said Deacon Parker, as,
In his lay capacity of grocer, he weighed
out fourteen pounds of crushed sugar for
Mrs. Parmalee, who sat upon all stool
ON the customers side of the counter.
John" continued the deacon, as he
carefully returned about teaspoonfuI
over weight to the barrel-'sJohn always
seemed kinder still when he was among
the gals, and I calculated he'd be one Of
our old bachelors; but there's never any
telling"
Mrs. Parmalee gave slight groan and
shook her head.
''lf you feel that way, how must l
feelf" she said. Gas for his pa, he's a
changed man. And Aunt Abby took to
her bed. And my daughters have cried
till | thought they'd cry their eyes out.
We're an afflicted family Deacon"
II want to knowl" calculated the Dea-
con. "He amt married the hired gal
has he2"
81 wish he had, )" said Mrs. Parmslee.
''She'd have helped about house"
81 dunno, said the deacon. "My
grandmother's youngest son--an uncle of
mine, that warn't much older'n me-he
married his mas hired gal, and she lest
folded her hands and wouldn't fetch the
water to wash 'em with arter the ring
was on. 'Tisn't one of the Jorkinses
that you've he'd the family quarrel with
fur so long timer
NO" said Mrs. Parmalee s.She's
set-up city thing, with all the airs YOU
ever saw. She's fresh from boarding
school, and talks French, and sings
Italian, and plays, must say, like a
professor. She's all style, and despises
us, and hates the house and the farm;
and she'll wean John from us. He's
said more hateful things since he was
married than he ever said in his life be-
fore. We gave him the best bedroom,
and she's got him to new furnish it. And
wish It had pleased the Lord to take
me years ago, for don't expect ever to
be happy again while live."
Pretty bad; pretty bad" said the
deacon "But perhaps she'll turn out
better than you calkerlate, as she grows
Older, Pr'aps it's childishness. Nv
wife would begin by giving her regu-
lar setting down, and settle her for
good"
'My spirit is broken, ~ said Mrs. Parm-
alec, with sigh. ibid say a pound
OF ralsins, and a paper of alspice, and
Oh, yes, nearly forgot the tea--the
same we always got; pound And put
them In the carriage. I'm going next
door to the miliner's, to get my new
bonnet, saw my daughter-in-law look
ing sideways at my old one last Sun
day." and, with another groan, Mrs,
Parmalee carried her budget of woes to
Miss Trimmer, who was even more sym-
pathetic than the deacon.
Meanwhile, Johns new wife was hav.
ing rather forlorn time of it at home
John was lecturing her.
Don't you think you could take a
little more interest in country life, dearg"
ne was saying. at would please the
family so much
81 ito, John, said Rosa, with her big
biue eyes full of candor. '.Pm sure I've
sketched everything. The spring, the
well, the locusts on the hill, and Bessie
the calf; and I've got great punches of
grass u
aes--but don't mean an artistic in
terest, said John. "a real solid one.
Couldn't you feel little like country
girl, if you tried, Rosal"
Il have driven my own pony, and per-
haps could drive the reaper, sad Rosa,
piaintiveiy. tAnd l wouldn't mind
giving the pigs their Cruel, or whatever
they eat; or I'll churn.
'tThe hired men and the servants do
aff That, Rosa, said John, rather severely,
"Dont pretend to misunderstood me.
I'm plain farmer, and my wife must not
be too much above things | take an in
terest in"
I'm not, John, cried Rosa. "What
do doP'