Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-09-09


10 loaf Of brownbrcad and a pot Of
yellow butter.
Deacon Holly was tired, and throw
ing himself into all easy-chair by the
fire, he fell to meditatihg OIL his lonely
LOT.
1t was three years since little Fred
dies mother had been laid to rest uu-
der the daisies on the hillside, and
the deacon had never ceased 10 miss
her.
Somehow, the more he thought Of
her the more attractive seemed his
latest day dream. of giving the sub
stantial old house another mistress,
and his boy new mother. He looked
down with a smile at Freddie, who
had fallen asleep before tho FIRE, with
his head on a crimson ottoman.
The smile was followed by look of
perplexity as Deacon Holly leaned
back in the cushioned chair, and set TO
work on problem that had recently
begun 10 puzzle him sadly. And while
he puzzled, pair of black eyes seemed
10 claim his attention in the FORE
ground. while two bcwildcring blue
ones cast shy glances at him from q
distance, as if too timid to approach
nearer.
The black eyes looked very attract
i've, tho blue ones very enhancing,
and the frown over tho dcacon's nose
deepened percep'lbly.
Presently most wonderful thing
occurred. An amazing thing, such as
:hc deacon had never heard of in all
his life before.
The iron tea-kettle, which had for
somc time been singing away quite
merrily, suddenly puifed out cloud
of steam, lifted its lid, tilted itself on
one side, and leere at the deacon In
the most ludicrous and unaccountable
manner.
The deacon could scarcely believe
the evidence of his senses. He put on
his spectacles and stared at the kettle
in nmazement.
To his intense surprise, the erratic
kettle blew out another cloud of
steam. tilted still farther 10 one side,
and gave broader stare than ever.
lit then began to sing, in bolster
GUS tone;
'.Doube, double, toll and trouble,
's.he deacon's married the Widow Ruhble"
. At-this Deacon Holly drew himself
up with all air of quiet dignity.
al beg your pardon, Mrs. Kettle"
he said, mildly. "You are laboring
under mistake. / am not married
to anybody
"Oh, yes, you are, old chap" re-
turned the tea-kettlc, saucily. "You
are married to the Widow Bubble
that was, and she's out in the kitchen
this minute, jawing Aunt Patty for
putting so much wood on the fire. and
for having both honey aud apple but
ter for supper"
"Dear me-" sighed the deacon. "I
really had no idea of such thing. l
think you arc mistaken. ma'am, in-
deed"
"No, no, deacon, no mistake about
it. do assure you. Such things fre-
quently happen, my dear sir, take my
word for it," persisted the kettle.
"But--but il certainly cannot be a
a legal marriage, when it occurred
without my knowledge
"Oh, bless your heart, that makes
no differeuce-no difference at all. my
dear sir! You are IN for it now, and
will have to face the music. Rubble
rhymes 10 trouble, you know. The
worst of it is, the poor little boy will
come in for his share of the trouble.
| tell you, it made my blood boil TO
see her or der that poor child around
before you came home today. No won-
der he's asleep IL the rug this minute,
and when she made him shovel of all
the snow from around the house, and
then finish getting that load of coal
into the cellar--a bitterly cold day like
this, too.
Tho deacon groaned.
IL should think you'd a known bet
Ter, deacon. really should" went on
the tea-kejtIe. Didn't your common
sense tell you that Rubble rhymes to
and Dolly rhymes 10 Holly?
What could be palmer than that?
However, it's too late now, and here's
Ihe new madam at her tricks already.
Look at her now, a-grabbing that poor
child by the scruff of tho neck, and
nustling him into the kitchen, just be-
cause he went to sleep on the floor"
81 won't stand it," cried the deacon
jumping UP.
"I'm SO glad you're awake, Deacon"
said Aunt Patty's mild voice. Give
waited half an hour for you to wake
up. and I'm dreadful afraid the tea is
spoiled, standing so long"
The deacon rubbed his eyes and
stared at Aunt Patty, at the cozy
table, at the merry blazing fire, and
then at the iron tea-kettle.
1t hing demurely from it's hook over
the ruddy blaze, singing in low, sub
dued tones, unlike the boisterous way
in which it had so recently been in-
dulging.
A vcioht seemed taken from tho