The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-01-22
MR.. MAXFIELD'S LESSON.

when he was sure of thing he was very
sure, and as he sometimes jumped at
conclusions he occasionally found him
self in dsagreeable predicament.
Hannah, he said to bis 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? l wish to
goodness you would let my things alone
so that could ever find them!"
"Well, l have left them alone this
time, answered Hannah rather sharply.
IL didn't even know there were any pa
pers there"
Whats the use of talking so?" said
Mr.. Maxfield. Iput them there before
breakfast, and there hasn't soul been
Into the room but you. Do try and think
what you have done with them"
Mrs. Maxfield worked away at her cake
in silence. Mr. Maxfeld 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 will greatly oblige me. "
Il told you l had neither seen nor
touched your papers, john"
And l tell you you must have. l
know positively that l put them there
before breakfast; they are gone now, and
you were the only person in the room."
Mrs. Maxfields face turned crimson.
She was busy and tired and this last lie.
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 l 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.. Maxfield concluded at this junct-
IRE 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 them!" 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 Mr.. Grover after
all. When he went back he had put
them down with his hat without think.
ing.
"And there I've gone and riled Han
nah up for nothing. Why, in the name
of goodness, couldn't l have held my
tongue until had looked around little,
anyway? And, blame it, she said must
apologize! Great Scott! would rather
piow the 10 acre lot 10 times over! What
in the world shall do? l wonder if l
couldn't sort of work her around with
out giving in? 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. l 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.. Maxfield did not think all
this at once; it came to him in snatches
as he went about his work, and when
he came in to dinner he was bandness
lhself
sHow are you getting on with your
sbaking?" he queried, as he performed
his abutions at the sink.
Mrs. Maxield took pie from the oven
and carried it to the pantry without
.vouchsating any reply.
Il wish those everlasting papers had
been in Halifax, " thought Mr.. Niaxlied,
as he washed. mo use trying to do
everything to-day, you'll get used up, 4"
lie 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 Mr. Max
field subsided.
He repeated his efforts at night, but
with no better success.
I'll try the phaeton tomorrow; but ]
don't know as even that will fetch her, "
no thought, as he lay down to sleep.
Accordingly he began at the breakfast
table:
"Fve been looking over things and
figuring up little, Hannah, and 1 don't
know but could spare you enough for
that phaeton, if you want it,"
Hannah passed him his coffee as coolly
and unconcernedly as though he had
spoken of buying a pound of cheese, OIL
something like that.
"You would like that wouldn't you?'
aueried Mr.. Maxfield anxiously.
'"No, John Maxfield; at present
wouldn't even look at it. | meant ex
acily what l said, and l still mean it,
Blame It'll" thought the unfortunat,
man, "she's bound shall apologize, ant
she won't forget what / said about th'
phaeton, either. If she would only asl
if I've found them, SO that / could sort o
explain it along easy, and not have Il