The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-11-06

Lawson aud the boys5 scrambled up and
put on their coats, while Mary Jane added
to the general interest Of the scene by
pouring a stream Of hot water on the back
OF the sleeping cat, which started in a
straight line for the door. Mr.. Dent invol-
UNFAIRLY stepping aside.to let her pass.
At this critical juncture Mrs. Lawson's
wits returned to her. Stepping forward
she shook HANDS with Mrs. Dent. ASSURING
him that it made no difference, and that
she was real glad to see him-a breach OF
truth, by the way, for which she suffered
many a conscience pang.
Mr.. Lawson blundered promptly after
her, and was likewise called to account by
his conscience. Sam took the minister's
hat and coat and deposited them on the
dusty table in the next room, while his
brother obiigingly moved along to make
room for the plate, knife and fork which
Mary Jane brought from the cupboard,
where she had run to take down her curl
papers.
Mr.. Dent saw through it all at once.
Her experience in boarding houses and as
'one Of the family had been wide and
varied, and had included more than one
presentation Of the worst as well AS the
best foot. He felt sorry for them all es-
pecially the pretty young girl, whose red
face and downoast eyes told how keenly
she felt the awkwardness of the situation
10 which his thoughtlessness had put
them. Nevertheless he managed to make
a hearty meal. The plain bread and fresh
sweet butter, the cold, juicy meat and
simple sauce were a great deal more to
his taste than the heavy, indigestible food
to which he had been accustomed of late.
Little it msttered 10 him just then that
the tableeloth was awry, besides bearing
the marks of several days usage; that
the cup which Mary James trembling hand
passed him had lost its handle in some
past conflict; that the butter dish bore
evidence of having been used at the preced-
ing meals, and that the meat dish had
cracks enough to render it almost sacred
IN the eyes of the china collectors.
Their embarrassment and efforts to keep
up a conversation were 80 evident that MIR.
Dent concluded that it would be an act of
mercy to shorten his visit as much as pos
sible; SO. shortly after tea, he shook hands
all around. and was escorted to the door
by Mr. Lawson, who, for the first time in
bis remembrance, was heartily glad to see
a guest out.
The next morning the boys saw that
their mother and sister, who saw up talk
ing tue night before long after the others
were in bed, both had On clean dresses and
aprons; also that Mary Jane had forgotten
to put her hair in papers, and that her eyes
she had been crying.
With a Fresentment Of something, they
hardly knew what, they buried home the
momeu school was out. They found the
kitchen was empty, but the door between
it and the dining room was open, and go-
I'M in search eff their mother they saw,
much to their establishments pretty white
drlped table, with a row of chairs placed
inyitipgly around it. A second glance re-
vealed the fact that the best dishes were all
there, even to the cherished celery glasses.
Il " ondsr who's Gomez Not the minis
ter again. l hope and Sam tiptoed about
and peeped cautiously into the hall.
"Tain't a man anyway, for THERE'S no hat
but fathers old straw, that's been hanging
there since kingdom come"
Continuing, he crossed the hall and
glanced around parlor. A fire was burn
ing pleasantly but the cat was the only oc-
eupant TO be seen.
Meantime Johnny had been counting the
plates, and when Sam returned from his
unsatisfactory tour he was met with the
information that there was only five plates.
"What does it all mean, anyhoH?'' was
| the question which the boys lips and Mr..
Lsvson's eyes asked as they all gathered
round the table.
1T means" said Mrs. Lawson, with a
| glance at her daughter, ''that Mary Jane
and | have made up our minds that we
will never be caught again as we were last
evening. So from this time forward We
are going to regard ourselves as company.
We will use all the house instead OF the
kitchen only, eat the best food and wear
the best clothes that we can afford, and
when our friends come thsy shall ave as
good but no better than wa have ourselves.
l think well all be happier for the change,
and we'll have no fear of oar last nights
experience being repeated"
Presently the gossips of Woodleigh be-
gan to say among themselves that the Law
sons were getting some high notions in
their heads. They always sat 10 their par
lor in the evening, it was said, end their
dining-room carpet was badly seuffed 1t
vas also a settled fact that Mary Sane put
on Ter brown cashmere and white apron
every day when the work was done up, and
that Mrs. Lawson managed to be neat and
tidy. even on wash days. So different from
what it used to be. you know. These bits
of gossip. csrefully gathered up and neatly
put together. went from lip to lip, and 10
the course OF time made the circuit of Mrs.
Dedd,s te. table. Mr.. Dent listened,
n -o,r, autIa ami said some