News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-06-11


not so much shocked as would have
been the families in the residences on
the HILL who were beyond the reach
of Penny's rich contralto.
For awhile, Mrs. Alboro, as she said
to herself, ''took real comfort in Pen
n.y." but there is no curing confirm
ed scold or a confirmed drunkard.
The vicious habit inevitably asserts
itself Unexpectedly even after what
seems an utter change of spirit.
The calls, the rides, the hope of be-
ing fine lady, grew to be old stories
to Penny after awhile. Mr.. Dusen-
bury was rather slow in proposing,
though this only arose from his old
fashioned idea that a woman must
be assiduously courted for some time
in order to be won. He was not vain
enough to expect a girl to do half the
work herself.
] If Penny had loved him or had un-
derstood his nature she need have
had no fear; but, as it was, she began
to feel irritated, and finally arose one
morning in a temper.
zone of her real old spells" sighed
the mother.
1t was wash-day. Thelittle kitchen
was crowded with tubs, boiler and
bench The breakfast table was
crowded against the wall. The but
ter was strong and the coffee weak.
Tom stuck his foot through a hole in
the tremendously long train of Pen
ny's calico wrapper, tumbled down,
raised blue lump on his forehead
and almost tore his sisters robe from
her shoulders.
"Nasty bratl" yelled Penny, and
struck the child a blow
Now Tom was the youngest and
his mothers chief favorite; she rush
ed to his rescue.
You'd Orter be ashamed, Penny
Alboro Only for your laziness in
not mending your clothes, the poor
child wouldn't have hurt himself"
"Poor childl P-r-r-r-r! yelled Pen
ny, with long-drawn cry peculiar to
herself, which always signified that
she was con the rampage" "P-r-r-rl
Whoo! WE'LL Poor child! All! I'll
take the poker to him nextl He'll
live to be hungl
"You let your brother alOnel" cried
the matron, putting her arms akimbo ,
and becoming shriller than her daugh- |
ter. "Anyway, he don't sass his poor
widowed mother. Anyway, he amt |
lazy and good-for-nothing Therel
He's respectful and industrious; up
betimes and earning a penny if he
can. There! Like his poor father
every inch of him, so he isl" And the
poor widow began to cry.
But Penny was not touched.
"Like pa is he?" she yelled. "P-r-rl
| don't know as that is much praise.
Often and otter have | heard you call
him all the names youcould lay your
tongue to-"
By this time every neighboring win
dow was filled with eager listeners.
The milk-woman had stopped out
side the gate and put her cans down
to listen. The bakers boy deposited
his basket on the stoop, and sat
| down to hear all comfortably. All
the help near at hand congregated
in the front garden. And at this in
stant, Mr.. Dusenbury arrived him
self, with gay kid gloves on, a bud in
his button-hold, and q handsome
bouquet in his hand as an Offering |
for his lady-love. His face turned |
pale in an instant, as he saw the |
crowd about Mrs. Alboro's door, and |
he addressed the bakers boy with an |
inquiry as to what was the matter?'
"Nothing, replied that functionary
sententiously.
II call it something" interposed a
matron, with twins in a propeller, |
who stood near by. cts nothing
new, though, sir; it's Penny AlbOro !
in one of her RACES. She has 'em !
every now and then, and we as lives
near her feels for her poor ma, can
tell you,
"Good graciousl" calculated Mr..
Dusenbury. II don't comprehend. |
But now arose the shrill soprano |
of Mrs. Alboro:
"You behaveyourself, F." replied Mrs.
Alboro.
"Oh!" shrieked Penny. "You mas
ty, dirty, ignorant old thingl Oh,
won't l be glad toget away from this
hold! Wait till I'm married to old |
Baldy Dusenburyl I'll never let one
of you cross my threshold thenl'
"Ef Mr.. Dusenbury knowed how
you carried on, he'd never have you
at ALL" sobbed Mrs. Alboro, who |
soon came to tears.
"P-r-r-rl" shrieked Penny. "Old |
Baldy not have me! Why, he's just |
crazy about mel And well he may
be. old grand-daddy-p-r-r-r-humph!' |
Mr.. Dusenbury unconsciously took |
of his hat and passed his hand over
the shiny spot which Penelope had |
often assured him "made him look
so distinguished-like Shakespeare"
'She must be insane, poor girl!'' he
said to himself; but the sounds with
in the house indicated that Penny
was in full chase after somebody, APP
parently the old lady, who presently
shrieked:
Give me back my hind comb, Pen
ny Alborol There'll be IA judgment
on you for this-a judgment! Is this
honOring your parents?'
"P-r-r-r-r! Honor you, indeedl'
shrieked Penny. THAT'S good! Next |
thing you'll want me to honor Tom
and jim! What are you rolling up
your eyes abOut?'
A-praying for you, Penny" replied
Mrs. Alboro. "Ah, if Mr.. Dusenbury
could hearyOul" moaned Mrs. AlbOro
with a shake of the head that created
a corresponding shake of her voice.
cold Baldyl" screamed Miss Pen
nv. "Whool Do you suppose I'd
care what he heard? Not ll'
''The neighbors is all a-listening,
Penny" said Mrs. Alboro, in rather
a lower voice.
At this the bakers boy, the milk
woman, the mother of the twins and
all those near by who knew Miss
Penny well, took sudden flight; but
the distracted Mr.. Dusenbury, having
no experience in such cases, kept his
ground, and in an instant more knew
why his companions fed; for a win
dow over his head was flung open,
and his beloved Penelope appeared
at it, bearing in her hand u bucket Of
warm soap-suds, which, blind with
wrath, she flung over the figure
standing below, drenching it to the
skin, and retired, clenching her fists
and banging the shutters.
" No matter, ma - I'm not
afraid of taking cold-Im obliged to
you" faltered Mr. Dusenbury TO the
worthy matron with the wagonful of
twins, who was trying to wipe him
dry with her apron. "Thank you"