Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-12-19

wahin' up in a new spot said conserya-
tive Mrs. DitSon. ''You remember Ann
Morrison, she that married that young city
ehapl He was vi at they call drummer,
and he did nothin from one years end 10
the other but travel up snd down. She
was always grumblin', just as you be,
cause she had to stick home and couldn't
see the world as he did: so once he got out
Of pat enee, and took her along-said she
should have all the travelin' She wanted,
and guess She got it. When he brought
her home she come up here to stay with
her folks and rest while he KEEP on, and she
was the most worn-out-lookin' critter |
ever see. She owned up that she didn't
have nothin' fit to eat the whole time. Her
new gown she had made to 90 in WAS clean
wore out, and the bonnet sle'd paid five
dollars for was whisked right Off her head
by the wind the very first day as she was
goin' from one car to another"
They have entries between the cars
now. so you don't havo to go ont doors. |
read all about it, said Miss Lddy. grimly,
determined to hold her ground in spite of
neighborly opposition.
''When be you intendin' to start, Liddyl7
asked Mrs. Ditson. as she arose to take her
leave.
I've laid out to 90 in two weeks; that is
to say, if can get everything arranged to
suit, replied Miss Liddy, casting quick,
sideloug glance at Prince, who was rub
bing against her skirts as She stood saying
the last words to her guest.
Mrs. Ditson hurried home rot so fast,
however, that she did not impart the news
OF Miss Liddy's journey at every kitchen
door until she reached her own, when she
sank exhausted upon chair, with scarcely
breath enough left to gasp out, Miss Lid
dy's goin' away-goin' to be gone year.
for the edifcation Martha Buffers, the
dressmakor, who happened at that time to
be giving Mrs Ditson her yearly week"
of cutting and basting and making over.
Before night the entire village knew
that Miss Liddy was going on journey.
The farmers shook their heads, and con
demned the move as piece of old maids
| folly. They used much stronger language
concerning the matter than it called for.
probably to nip in the bud any inclination
for roaming in their wives and daughters.
as the women, one and all, with the ex-
ception of Mrs. Ditson, were in sympathy
with Miss Liddy, and declared that she
would be raving crazy to lose such chance
of seeing something of life outside of her
native town.
Miss Liddy herself was passing through
an experience which she had not foreseen
I The trunk had arrived, and The first sight
of it filed her with joy. 1t was huge
affair, covered with marhleized tin. and
fastened with two locks, to which were
queer fat little keys, which Dick Bowles
explained must be put in the slot which
served as key hole, pushed in a little way
turned halfway round, and pushed again.
This intricate proceeding terrified Miss
Liddy's unmechanical mind; but the kew
was nothing as compared to the bonnet
box of which she had boasted to her
neighbor. Her best bonnet-she 'laid
out" her old one would be good enough to
wear in the ears-.would by no twisting
and turning be made to fit in the small
compartment which was intended to hold
the tiny bit of ribbon and lace represent
ing the head gear Of modern fashion.
81 shall have to wear my best bonnet
after all, and tie it up in a veil to keep the
dust off. That II be better than jammin,
it all out of shape" said Miss Liddy; but
she was dissatisfied The idea that the
trunk was a swindle ranked in her breast,
and when Mrs. Di,son, who come express
ly to look at the purchase, declared that
the trunk want nothin' to the swindlin7'
she would meet with along the road, poor
Miss Liddy's heart beat with trepidation.
although she kept up bold front in the
face of her neighbor's diseouragiug q remarks
The preparations for departure were
much more gigantic than she had antieipat-
ed. The thought Of possible dust and
moths which might invade her home
during her absence filled her with dismay.
With many signs she set to work to pro-
tect her little parlOr. Old bedlnen was
brought out of th great chest in the attic
and the hair-clOIh sofa and chairs put in
winding sheets to prevent dust and damp
ness, and little muslin bags of camphor
were placed around the edges of the carpet
to scare any adventurous moth that might
attempt to enter the sacred apartment.
The butcher at the Corners hearing Of
Miss Liddy's proposed journey, stepped at
the gate to say that he would take the COW
and turkeys at any time.
Don't you dare come for 'em till send
you word" snapped Miss Liddy, as she
hurried into the cottage and slammed the
door, an action which puzzled the worthy
butcher greatly.
That night as she drove Glover, the cow,
into the barn, the patient beast seemed to
turn her big blue watery eyes reproachfully
upon her mistress, whose own eyes grew
watery in return.
''But that's settled. Cows is only cows,
anyhow, +" said Miss Liddy to herself
Prince was the only thing left to be
cared for. The big Maltese seemed to feel
that change was approaching which
might interfere with his comfort and set
himself to work to make the most of present
opportunities. II bis mistress sat down for
moment to rest from the labor Of pre-
paratioD, he Immediately enseonced him
self in her lap; and at night, absolutely
refusing to sleep in his basket, be stretched
himself, purring heap of warm far, on
the foot of her bed. Miss Liddy went over
in her mind the condition of every family
in the neighborhood in her efforts to decide
on a home for Prince. One neighbor had
kindly offered to take him, but she had
small boys, and Miss Liddy knew they
would pull bis tail and otherwise torment
him.
prince hates the sight ofboys, she said
to herself, "and I've got no right to put
him among en-"
Another woman, who ied no boys, was
willing to feed the big cat and give him
home, only he must sleep in the wood shed.
Prince sleep in the wood shed, indeed! To
Miss Liddy's mind queens boudoir was
none too good for the bedroom of his royal
catship.
The two weeks were lorg past, November
was drawing near, and Clover still chewed
her cud peacefully in her warm stall, Prince
,r-,e 81 Lord Of Tho ,gftaUa auI