The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-10-28

to do and think OF tina. Tom and his
misdemcanors were quite forgotten
They were talking OF the various plans
for the morrow, when suddenly the
gaunt figure of Rickcty Ann appeared
In the doorway.
"Mis' Reman," she said, "Jonas didn't
git me no sugar when he was to the
Corners this mornin', and there amt
enough to finish this cake"
"Now there" exclaimed grandmoth-
or. in dismay. Jonas gets more forget
full every day. l shall have to go my
self; can't take him from his work
now, even to harness the horse"
TON can harness old Jerry, mother;
he's often done it." said the little moth
er, rising hurriedly to find her son and
heir.
So Tom was dispatched to harness old
Jerry to the buggy, and grandmother
went for her bonnet
In a few minutes Jerry's well-known
step was heard on the gravel, sciI"wed
by more unfamiliar sOnnd. rs ss,ne-
thing dragged slowly up the path.
"Come on, grandma; I'm all ready"
Tom called, and the mother glanced
from the window. Only glance, and
then she hurried to the stairs.
"Mother," she said, as Mrs. BcHIar
came down, you'll have to wait o lit
tie. That naughty Tom has harnessed
Jerry to the stone boat, and he is wait
ing for You to come ont ! must send
him back"
Grandmother peeped through che
shutters of the old-fashined door, and
took in the situation at o glance. There
sat Tom on old Jerry's back, his face
brimful of laughter, and, in place OF
the buggy, there was the low, broad
'ston e-boat," sort Of sledge made OF
planks, which farmers use to haul stone
from field when they are blowing.
''Rickety Ann" said grandmother,
"bring me kitchen chair, quick"
And, armed with this, she opened
the door. revealing to the expHctant
Tom face serene and placid as ever.
She stepped up OH the stone-boas,
put down the chair. and settled herself
comfortably. Fortunately. it was only
mile to the Corners.
''Drive on, Tom," she said.
Tom looked crestfallen, and slid
down from Jerry's back.
"Wait a minute, grandma" said he;
"I'll get the buggy"
"Climb right up on that horse again.
my son"-and grandma's mouth made
little straight line on her face. 1--WE
are going just this way"
Then Tom entreated, and pleaded.
and rebeled Grandma was memorable
Tom had to climb again to his uneom-
Portable seat, and old Jerry walked
slowly off, while grandma sat heavily
on the kitchen chair, which threatened
to upset at every bump and jolt OF the
dragging stone-boat.
The mother looked from the window
3 again, and saw them disappear over the
hill in clouds of dust.
\ Once fairly in sight Of the Corners,
Tom, in desperation. stopped Jerry, and
slipped down to run away. Grand
mother made a clutch at his flying
jacket, and held him fast
81 wasn't going to Deacon Winslow's
Tommy. / said to the Corners, 20,
know" and the unhappy little boy, hi
n cheeks crimson with shame, once more
took his place. and they went on.
Deacon Winslow came to the fence.
"Why, Mis- Beman," he called
"where be You goin' on q stone-boat'
Amt that way of ridin' out somethin
y new in these parts?'
: "This is Toms idea, deacon" an
swered grandmother "For my owl
part, l think it's shade less hand!
than the buggy"
Tom said nothing. He wished tn
;, dusty road would open and take then
all in--Jerry and himself, grandma
! kitchen chair, boat, and all.
When, finally, Jerry was allowed Il
= pause before the little store at the Cor
= ners, Tom did not wait TO answer ques
. lions. He took TO his heels and fed
deserving grandmother basely, sn'
r never rested in his fight until, safel,
\ hidden in the currant-b bushes, he crie'
i out his modification and his repent
ance, and fell asleep.
ri And there grandma found him at sup
:, perfume, when Deacon Winslow ha,
> brought her home in fis carriage, ant
Jonas had gone for Jerry and the stone
boat.
a "Come, Tom dear" she said gently
4 kissing his tear-stained face and br 3sll
ing back the yellow curls with her kin
old hand. "Come, dear. We won't ga
4 any more about it, and grandma ha
!. made some apple-sauce for supper, jus
4 the kind you like, and Rickety Ann
,. nice cake is all done. Come, Tom
- Grace H. Duffield. in s. s Times
FUNNY SAYINGS.