Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-12-05
Mr.. MAXFIELD'S LESSON.


Mr. Maxfield was a very positive man;
when he was sure of thing he was very
sure, and as he sometimes jumped at
conclusions he occasionally found him.
self in disagreeable predicament.
Hannah, he said to his wife, coming
out into the kitchen one morning in hot
haste, "what on earth have you done
with that package of papers left on the
mantel in the sitting room? / wish to
goodness you would let my things alone
so that could ever find themi"
"Well, l have left them alone this
time, /" answered Hannah rather sharply.
@I didn't even know there were any pa
pers there.
whats the use of talking so?r said
Mr.. Maxfield. Il put them there before
breakfast, and there hasn't soul been
into the room but you. Dotry ard think
what you have done with Them"
Mrs. Maxfield worked away at her cake
in silence. Mr. Maxfield walked around
the kitchen once or twice, lifted the stove
lid, and then spoke again.
Suppose l shall have to wait your
pleasure, but my time is worth some
thing, so if you will tell me as quickly as
possible you viii greatly oblige me.
II told you had neither seen nor
touched your papers, john.
"And l tell you you must have. ]
know positively that put them there
before breakfast; they are gone now, and
you were the only person in the room.
Mrs. Maxfeld's face turned crimson.
She was busy and tired, and this last re-
mark was too much for her.
John, she said very clearly and de-
cidedly, mo one, not even my husband,
shall as good as tell me lie without
apologizing for it. shall have nothing
to say about your papers or anything
else until you do.
In her way Mrs Maxfield was Just as
positive as her husband. She did not
usually jump at conclusions as he did.
but once she came to one, she was there
body and soul.
Mr.. Maxfleld concluded at this junct-
ure that for the present at least he had
best betake himself elsewhere. So, try
ing his best to appear unconcerned, he
sauntered out into the hall. took up his
hat, and found underneath it, on the hall
table, those miserable papers.
"Con--found theml" he said with much
emphasis, under his breath, secreting
them in his pocket.
1t came to him like flash; just after
he had put them on the mantel he had
thought he saw Lawyer Grover coming
down the street, and wishing to hand
them to him he had hurried to the door,
only to find it was not Dir. Grover after
all. When he went back he had put
them down with his hat without think
ing.
sand there I've gone and riled Han
nah up for nothing. Why, in the name
of goodness, couldn't have held my
tongue until had looked around little,
anyway And, blame it, she said must
apologizel Great Scottl would .ather
plow the 10 acre lot 10 times overi What
in the world shall do2 l wonder if I
couldn't sort of work her around with
out giving in2 Goodness, it fairly makes
me sweat to think of having to own up
deliberately, after all said, that / put
the miserable, good for nothing things
away myself. 1 don't know but I'd
rather take the money out of the bank
and give her the phaeton she had been
wanting these two years. l declare,
would
Now Mr. Maxaeld did not think all
this al once; it came to him in snatches
as he went about his work, and when
he came in to dinner he was blandness
itself.
How are you getting on with your
baking?" he queried, as he performed
his ablutions at the sink.
Mrs. Maxfeld took pie from the oven
and carried it to the pantry without
vouchsafing any reply.
Il wish those everlasting papers had
been in Halifax, thought Mr.. Maxfield,
as he washed. "No use trying to do
everything to-day. you'll get used up, !"
he said, burying his face in the long
towel as he spoke.
Don't fret about me. Take care of
yourself and your papers, and I'll see to
myself, was the icy reply, and Dir. Max
field subsidized.
He repeated his efforts at night. but
with no better success.
~TIl try the phaeton tomorrow; but I
don't know as even that will fetch her, :"
he thought, as he lay down to sleep.
Accordingly he began at the breakfast
table:
@Tve been looking over things and
figuring up a little, Hannah. and don't
know but could spare you enough for
that pllaeton, if you want il.
Hannah passed him his coffee as c0oIIy
and unconcernedly as though he had
spoken Of buying pound Of cheese, or
something like that
-You would like that wouldn't YOU
queried Mr. Maxfield anxionsly.
No. John Maxfield: at present ]
wouldn't even look at it. I meant ex-
actly what 7 said, and stifl moan it. :"
-BIame i'll thought tire unfortunate
man, she's bound shall apologize, and
she won't forget what | sai6 about the