St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-05-22
OTHERS coNvENIENcEs.
"A Whole Week Put Out of Joint for a
Twenty Minutes CALI

come out to see us this forenoon, but
they found, at the last minute, that
the deacon was intending to use his
horse himself"
Bless that dear old Deacon" said
| fervently. Il owe him one"
Yes, it was luckyl'' said Julius.
Il should think SOL How any
couple in their senses, could ever
think of making surprise visit or
Monday morning, don't seel What
did you tell him ~
"Well, YOU see, | didn't like to re
| mind him it was wash-day-thev
have kept house, and know all about
| it; and they know we are doing our
own work for he asked how it agreed
with you this weather, and when we
expected Mandy back-so just told
him that they must not be discour-
aged, but must try again"
And what did he say to that ~
why, he said they meant to try it
again tomorrow"
Tomorrow and all the ironing
to do, and nothing fresh baked"
YES, l knew it wouldn't suit, but
what could l do ~
Nothing of course. We will have
to make the best of it. l will put off
the ironing, and do some baking in
stead-bright and early before they
get here
So the next morning L got up be-
times, set the whole house in spOtless
order, baked rolls and cake, got a
chicken pie under way and made a
said. Then / dressed myself in a
white muslin, with ruffled apron,
and gathered fresh flowers for all the
vases. Then | sat down and hulled
bowlful of ripe, dewy Strawberries,
which Julius had gathered for me.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dominic boarded in
the village, and would, | knew, APP
preciate our delicious country fare.
He was preaching for us for six
months ION trial" They were an
elderly couple, whose children were
all scattered, and they were fond of
visiting. We did not feel very well
acquainted with them, and wished
to do them honor At II O'Clock
julius came in from the garden, to
make himself presentable. He found
me putting the last touches to the
dinner-table, SO that only the hot
food would have to be added at
"dishingup" time.
Haven't come yeti he exclaimed.
NO." l said; they seem inclined
to be very fashionable One would
think the cool of the morning much
pleasanter for driving this time of
the year"
"Yes indeed; but they may be
along any minute now"
a quarter past-half past three
quarters-12 Still no minister, nor
minister's wife. Julius paced be
tween the front veranda and the
gate, while busted myself trying to
keep the dinner hot, without drying
it to chips. One O'Clock struck;
then julius came in, saying: 1--WE
might as well give them up and have
dinner. Something must have hap
pened to detain them, and perhaps
they will come in this afternoon"
SO we ate hurriedly, and Julius
helped me to set all to rights; then,
tired out, | sat down, with a new
magazine and a basket of mending.
AT four o'clock, there still being no
signs of our visitors, Julius came in
and said: It's time to go to the
post office; the mail must surely be
in. Perhaps I'll meet Mr.. Dominic,
or some one from the DeacOn's, and
find out what the trouble is
When he returned, he said, in
answer to my eager inquiries: Yes;
| met Mr.. Dominic himself, the first
one, and he said they did think of
coming this morning, but Mrs.
Dominic thought it Hooked like rain"
Like rainl why, never heard of
such nonsense. 1t has been a lovely
day.
$50 l thought; but of course l
couldn't contradict him. Then he
said, if it was pleasant, they would
come tomorrow"
groaned: Then l must put off
the ironing again"
So the next morning | again busted
myself preparing good things for
dinner and making the house as at
tractive as possible When julius
and | a second time sat down to our
belated dinner alone, | was fairly
boiling with Indignation.
do you know what l think of Mr.
Dominic ?" | exclaimed. Il think
he is a first-class fraud"
Il wouldn't say that" said Julius.
He may have had some good reason
this time Perhaps some one was
taken sick and sent for him"
Then she ought to have sent us
word. 1t is shameful for them to be
so rudel"
$50 it is; and it has made you SO
much extra work, too"
Yes, l have worked twice as hard
as usual; and here, the week is half
gone, and not a piece ironed"
When Julius came home that even
ing he said: Il saw Mr.. Dominic,
and he said he was sorry they didn't
get out this morning, but Mrs.
Dominic thought that she felt one of
her attacks of headache coming on,
so he thought they'd better postpone
it but they will surely be out tOmor-
row."
'Indeedr' said 1, then added,
II hope it will rain pitch
forksr'
ooh well, they'll come this time,
and then it will be over, and we won't |
ask them again"
They don't wait to be asked" l |
said, but seem to think their visits
are such treats to us that they may
put us to any amount of trouble, and
it's all right"
Well, the wholeprogram was again
and still our visitors did |
not appear twas fair all day until |
ate afternoon, then a thunder
shower came up, preventing Julius
rom going after the mail, SO we did
not learn what trifle prevented their
coming this time. At the tea-table l
said, well, tomorrow is Friday,