The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-11-29

Dut NJ the Hfst kihhcc nnhuoW TEL
across her face.
"Why-it's tailors bin" she exclaimed,
'for clothes he's made for Mr. Hall. What
on earth have 70 do with thatf'
"A great deal, y said Jeff. quietly, ''seeini
you're goin' TO marry him"
.What do you meanln she gasped, with
n sudden chill, for Miss Melinda was one
OF those who look upon the purchasing
power Of the almighty nickel as a subject
worthy OF the most careful consideration,
and the idea Of any man Ia his right mind
mourning tailor's bill OF SIS. took her
breath away entirely.
You see as he's got nothin' he'll expect
you 10 pay his bills" explained Jeff., "and
these are clothes he's been owin' Mr.. links
for ever since he came here. Every month
he's been promisin' TO pay and never pay
In, but yesterday afternoon he tells links
he's engaged 70 you, and KNOWN you'll have
10 settle all his bills after you're married,
links thought you might as well settle one
or two before, specially as this has been
runnin' on so long; an seem me comm
this way he asked me 10 give IL 10 you.'
but don't mean 10 pay his debts,n she
answered
you'll have TO give him somcthin' TO
live on, said Jeff., for he hasn't got pen
NY, else how'll he buy his clothesin
"Well," said Miss Melinda, alarmed at
this probability, but loath TO lose her fasci-
mating lover, ''I'd be willin' TO low him
somethin' for his cigarettes an plug tobac-
co, but / won't give him a cent for his
clothes-let him earn those, or wear the
two trunkfuls he's got up in the garrett"
At this moment an awful crash In tho
kitchen startled them, and Melinda rushed
out, followed by Jeff.
There was a scene OF ruin and desolation,
for which the old mouse cat was clearly re-
sponsible, for she sat on the table, her
chops ornamented with pastry calmly
contemplating dish which she had over
turned In her critical investigation OF the
pumpkin pies.
Every one OF the four-and-twenty bore
conclusive evidence OF her personal sur
vey, for they were iumbled and messed
together almost beyond recognition.
Overcome by this awful catastrophe
Miss Melinda sat down and wept, while
Jefr pitched the cat out of the window.
every pie ruined; no others in the
house, and tomorrow Thanksgiving,
she moaned.
'Come don't take il so hard, dear" said
Jcff. soothingly.
"But there's my brothers family all
comm, and the parsons folks, and what
ever would they say 10 Thanksgivin'
dinner without pumpkins pies, and what
would they say 10 such housekcepin'l'
"Why, what would theyw
Everything bad and mean, OF course, y
answered Miss Melinda, whose social
studies during a thirty years resi-
dence in village had shown her the usual
drift of public opinion on occasions like
this.
Jeff. said nothing, but laid his hand ON
hers with tender gesture then hastily
withdrew II as Remington Hall came walk
ing in.
Very tearfully and with many pauses for
breath she related tho story OF her mis-
fortune to Hall, evidently expecting an out
burst OF sympathy from him. But she was
disappointed.
On her most tender point-the question
OF domestic demand and supply-he was
cold and unsympathetic.
what are few pies more or lessin he
asked airily.
"A fcwl There's twcnty-four less" she
answered Indignantly.
"Well, even so, that's nothing 10 get
excited over. It's not necessary 10 have
pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving l always
thought that an absurd CUSTOM" he said,
thinking IL best TO make light OF the loss,
the Importance of which he could not
comprehend.
Miss Melinda arose. white with rage.
'You think that's an absurd custom, do
YOUR she bazcd ''rhen let me tell you
don't think so. II you'd spark of pity
for me you'd set about gettin' some others"
then sudden idea coming 70 hcr-"or
what's better-makin' en- yourself. Many
a man can cook first-ratc-come Mr.. Hall
aud MIR Blake, let's sec how you'll help
me out OF this bad mess Go 10 work and
make twenty-four more pumpkin pies, an
tho man who makes the best I'll marry
Thanksgivin' mornin', sure" Then she
fed from tho room TO have a good cry by
herself upstairs.
Both men stared at each other In dumb
amazemcnt
Remington Hall was the first 10 recover.
Curse me II IN dirty my cuffs making
pies,n he muttered angrily, and stalkcd out
OF the house.
Left alone JEFF. rolled up his sleeves with
a resolute air.
"Ill make those pies, - he said, ''cven u
they amt ft 10 eat. She won't dream o
breaking one afore dinner, an by that time
wen be married, 'cordin to agreement an
she won't know what she's catin', or how
things taste
He cleared the kitchen by shovcling ur
| tha hrolrcn MICS ON tho dust-nln and mitch.