The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-06-05
"a WHOLE WEEK PUT OUT OF JOINT
FOR A TWENTY MINuTEs, CAII-O

] n ~ A~fAA AAAANO AL4o GALA4sO
E'By the way, Judith" +" said Julius. one
Monday evening at the tea table, 81 met
Mr. Dominic in the post office this after,
noon, and he said that he and Mrs,
Dominic had intended to come out to see
us this forenoon, but they found, at the
last minute, that the deacon was intend.
ing to use his horse himself"
BLESS that dear old deacon" said |
fervently, 81 owe him one."
Yes, it was lucky!" said julius.
Il should think sol How any couple
in their senses, could ever think of max
ing surprise visit on Monday morning.
l don't seel What did you tell him?''
We'll, you see, didn't like to remind
INN 1t was wash-day-they 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 wealth
er' and when we expected Mandy back
so Just told him that they must not
DC discouraged, but must try again."
And what did he say to tliaf?n
why, he said they meant to try II
again tomorrow"
Tomorrow! and all the ironing to do.
and nothing fresh baked''
"Yes, knew it wouldn't suit. but
what could l dO?''
Nothing of course. We will have To
make the best of it. / will put off the
ironing, and do some baking instead
bright and early before they get here"
So the next morning | got up between
time, set the whole house in spotless or
der, baked rolls and cake, got a chicken
pie under way and made a salad. Then
dressed myself in a white muslin, with
rutfied apron, and gathered fresh flow
ers for all the vases. Then | sat down
and hulled bowlful of ripe, dewy
strawberries, which julius had gathered
Tor me. MIR. and Mrs. Dominic boarded
IN the village, and would, / knew, ap-
preciate our delicate 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 put-
ting the last touches to dinner-table. so
that only the hot food would have to be
added at 'dishing-up" time.
Haven't come yet! he exclaimed.
NO." | 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-auar-
ters-12. Still no minister, nor minis
ter's wife. julius paced between the
front veranda and the gate, while l
busted myself trying to keep the dinner
hot, without drying it to chips. One
O'Clock struck; then julius came in, say
ing: I'VE might as well give them up
and have dinner. Something must have
happened to detain them, and perhaps
they will come in this afternoon
So we ate hurridly, and Julius helped
me to set all to rights; then, tired out, |
sat down, with new magazine and
basket of mending. At A o'clock, there
still being no signs of our visitors, julius
came in and said: ITS time to go to the
postotfice; the mail must surely be in.
Perhaps I'll meet Mr.. Dominic, or some
one from the Deacon's, and find outwhat
the trouble is"
When he returned, he said, in answer
to my eager inquiries: Eyes; met Mr..
Dominic himself, the first one, and he
said they did think of coming this morn
ing, but Mrs. Dominic thought it looked
like rain"
Like rain! why never heard of such
nonsense. 1t has been a lovely dayl"
80 thought; but of course couldn't
contradict him. Then he said, if it was
they would come tomorrow"
grOaned: Then l must put off the
ironing again"
So the next morning 1 again busted
myself preparing good things for dinner
and making the house as attractive as
possible. When julius and l a second
time sat down to our belated dinner
alone, was fairly boiling with indigna-
lion.
"Do you know what 1 think of Mr..
Dominica l exclaimed. 81 think he is
D tirst-class fraud"
II 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."
1t is shameful for them to be so rude!'
$50 it is; and it has made you so much
extra work, too"
Eyes, have worked twice as hard as
usual; and here, the week is half gone,
and not piece ironed"
When Julius came home that evening
he said: II saw Mr., Dominic, and he
was sorry they didn't get out this morn
ing, but Mrs. Dominic thought she felt
one of her attacks of headache coming
On, so he thought they had better post
pone it; but they will surely be out to-
"Indeed!n said /, then added, vicious
y, II hape it will rain pitchforksr
''Oh well, they'll come this time, and
5hen it will be over, and we won't ask
hem again
''rhey don't wait to be asked 1 said,
put seem to think their visits are such
ireats to us that they may put us to any
mount of trouble, and its all right"
Well, the whole programme was again
and still our visitors did not
appear. 1t was fair all day until late af-
-ernoon, then thunder shower came up,
Julius from going after the
mail, so we did not learn what trifle pre-
vented their coming this time. At the
tea table l said, "Well, tomorrow is Fri
lay, and, minister or no minister, l am
going to iron"
So, the next morning, went to work
On my belated ironing, in fear and trem-
bling, starting at every sound, until be-
came so nervous l felt like flying-for
lear they would come and catch me una
ware in the short sleeved Mother Hub
bard always wore when ironing. The
lay waned but they did not come When
Julius started to the village, L took a
book and threw myself into the ham
mock, completely tired out. He had been
gone some time, when l heard voices.
Looking out, there were Mr.. and Mrs.
Dominic coming up the front path.
met them at the door and tried to be cor
lial, but felt that it was hollow mock
cry. 1t was impossible to keep the re-
proach out of my voice when l spoke of
having expected them to dinner each
lay since Monday.
Eyes, we were so disappointed" said
Mrs. Dominic; 'but every time we
planned to come, something would hap
pen to prevent"
think they expected an invitation to
tea, but l forgot (?) it, and said, more
over, nothing about future visits.
suppose it was notvery polite, but 'the
worm will turn"
julius laughed rather grimly, when he
came home and heard about the visit.
"A whole week put out of joint for
twenty-minutes' call" he said.
Yes" said L; "and if Mr.. Dominic
remains here after his six months are up,
It won't be my fault. A man who has so
little regard for his own word, and other
peoples convenience, is a public nui-
sancep'
"Amen," said Julius.-Judih Sun
shine in Good HOusekeeiRg.