The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-01-30

hunored. eomicsl tnrn 10 every thiag, 40
al they quite forgo, that they bad sny
hasA.tips si 81 Little gatherings lake
this one were lile tonies 10 these humble
Western wives,and they could alwsys work
/ better for many days Afterwards, on th,
strength Of them.
About half past four Mrs. Walton bull,
the FIRE snd began her preparations ioi
ties. As her house consisted Of bu, one
room below sud Ion sbose, her cnlinsry
labors by no means interrupted her witt
ing On this occasion there was TO be nc
stint She brought out her store OF -four,
/ long boarded. TO make biscuits Of, They
we're shortened with cream. and put down
by the fire ia the tin bsker 10 bake Th q
tea kettle. hung upon the crane, already
began to sing iis cesy song. Then the
good lady drew on. the rough pine table
and covered il with spoiless linen cloth
relic OF her New England bome--and
brought ont the silver spoons, which, like
The one talent. had long lain carefully bid.
den in napkin.
Al last. tea was nearly ready. The hos
tess stepped out OF the door 10 go and
fetch the butter; but she had scarcely eros
sej the threshold when she gave loud
cry OF dismay, and started down the slope
on the run.
The guests, slsrne ed. hurried out TO see
W hat was the matter. They were just In
time to catch a glimpse Of agreat pig, with
the pat OF butter on his nose. scsmpering
off with all bis might, and Mrs. Walton a.
bis heels, her hair and dress flying and q
stick in her hand The women all rushed
pel NELL. Mrs Gray. who was short and
fat lost her footing, and rolled down the
grassy bank like saw log, until she reach
ed the bottom. when she arose with her
gown torn. and her general appearance
considerably disordered The rest could
not stop to attend to her. Greater inter
ests we're in jeopardy. Away the went
armed With sticks and stones, in hot pur
suit OF the thief that had stolen their but
ter
Piggy made his best speed, lodging in
aud ont Of the brush, and gruntng and
snnfiiug with excitement at the hue and
cry made behind him the pilfered pat OF
butter all the time sticking to his uplifted
nose. Finally. he plunged throught the
brook aud took refuge behind clump Of
hazel bushes, where be looked defiance at
his pursuers, aud proceeded leisurely to
devour his costly plunder am con
strained to say that those women glared
at the bristly. rascal with no very smiable
looks or amiable thoughts. They called
him names. and discharged sticks and
stones across the brook into his fortress till
they we're tired and then they weatily
elm bed the hill. looking more like fun
eral procession than festive tea party
II am not ashamed to say, said my 10
formant, who was one Of the company, that
cried, and couldn't help il; for in all my
life before had never met with 80 keen a
disappointment as this.
Returning TO the house, the disconsolate
women gathered around the supper toble
and tried to make the best of the warm.
light biscuits, the tea and wild strawber
rie and cream. But it seemed as il every |
mouthful would choke them; and when
they thought Of what might have been
but for that miserable pig. it was no won
der that they made but an Indifferent
meal