St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-01
MRS. PRINGLE'S GUESTS.


Advance.
mo, Mimy Bigham can't come for a
week."
"Oh, dear!"
Mrs. Pringle leaned back in her chair
with grown.
'Tve gwen my foot another twist
going about cleaning up things after the
one that's gone"
Just like you. Didn't tell you to
sit still?'
''Yes, but things have to be done
somehow. john"
well, they'll have to be done with
out you somehow. l count for some
thing, you know. Two people aren't
going to starve when there's plenty of
good things in the house."
Mrs. Pringle shook her head dolefully.
No girl for week, and the mistress
with sprained ankle was to her most
stressing condition of things.
''I've got letter for you," went on
Mr.. Pringle. Perhaps it will make
you feel better"
Mrs. Pringle read it and gave little
scream.
whats the matter? Anybody die?"
asked MI. Pringle. turning a shade
paler.
mo; but such thing TO come now
It's from Jessie, that pretty little sklte
of aithing at Cousin Wizards. Listen
"Dear Cousin Hannah:
Phil and | (Phiis her brother, you
know, the young college fellow that
wasn't at home when we were there)
are going TO visit some friends, and as
you are nearly OH our way have decided
to spend a week with you. You'll see
us very soon after this letter. With re-
CARDS to Cousin John. | am, truly yours,
JESSIE WILLARD.'"
The two stared into each others eyes
in blank dismay.
what shall we do?"
''What can we do?' I'd write to put
them off if there was time. But there
isn't"
'1t's all because you went to visit
them," said Mr.. Pringle, pettishly. |
never did hold with running after high
style folks"
This was ungenerous in Mr.. Pringle,
for he had taken warm interest in his
wife's visit to her city relatives, had
spent day there when he went to
bring her home, had thoroughly en-
Joyed it and felt pride in calling such
ssfolks' cousins.
So" said Mrs. Pringle with tears very
near her eyes.
No, it isn't" said Mr.. Pringle in
quick repentance. "Now, don't you
fret; We'll get along somehow. Pll
start out again and hunt all around for
a gIrl.'
II wouldn't mind so much if that boy
wasn't coming" said Mrs. Pringle. II
never tancied these college fellows--all
airs and graces and nothing good
enough for them. l have a perfect
dread of SUCH"
perhaps when they see how we're
nxed they won't stay week." suggest
ed Mr.. Pringle consolingly.
There they are!''
The one public vehicle belonging to
the station of the country town drew up
to the door of the cottage, and there
they were sure enough, the pretty little
'skite" and the college fellow" both
as bright-looklng. stylish specimens of
boy and girlhoOd as one would care to
see.
MY brother. Cousin Hannah and
Cousin John. Oh. how glad we are to
get here. Isn't it lovely! Is that
chicken yard out there? Oh, what roses
Yes. thank you, they're all we'll at
hOme."
''Show them to their rooms. john"
said Mrs. Pringle. You'll find them
small enough, my dears, after your
rooms at home"
A short time after Jessie and Phil
were back in the sitting room. looking
as bright and fresh as If they had not
been travelling 200 miles in the dusty
cars that day.
Pm sorry to tell you." said Mrs.
Pringle dolefully, THAT Pm afraid we
can't treat you very well, for we have
40 girl. You must try to put up with"
Jessie turned suddenly. mo girl?'
she asked with great eagerness.
mo, dear. and | am unfortunately |
aid up with sprained--"
mot soul to help in the kitchen?"
mo" said Mrs. Pringle. But Mr.. |
orlngle will try"
Jessie took one or two swift steps to |
Ter Cousins side.
''Oh, Cousin Hannah May we 90
nto the Kitchen and cook some things
Phil and [? Are there little saucepans
md tins and all sorts of things there /? |
)h, do let us We'd like to. Mayn't
We get lunch? o Phil isn't it splen-
lid that we happened here just now ?''
Jolly ]" exclaimed Phil, looking
lmost as pleased as his sister.
MAY we cook anything we like ?"
Jessie made rush back to her room,
nd returned in about ten minutes with
er travelling dress changed for light
lngham. In the meantime Mr.. Pringle
ad made fire in the kitchen stove.
Now 90 out, please" she said, taking
i'm by the arm and leading him to tho
oor which she shut upon him. "Cousin
iannah says l may be housekeeper and
'hiPs going TO be my scullioD."
DO listen" After comical look at
is wife Mr.. Pringle had seated himself
D read, but soon gave it up as bursts
nd screams of laughter came from the
ltchen. Softly opening the pantry
cor, he took step or two inside. and
ecped Though the opening throu gh
1hich the dishes passed to and from the
itchen.
IF you could only look, Hannah" he
clapping his hand upon his
louth to keep in laugh. ''She's found
our big aprons and tied one of them on
i'm and one on her. And she's got her
urls pinned like mop-cloth on the top
her head. And his dandy coats
angling on peg and he's peeling pota
)es for all he's worth, and she's giving
to him because he peels them so thick.
here, he's singing"
|, went to the river and 1 couldn't get
across,
nging polly wolly doodlolly day /
ing Phil.
.'We're to be let find everything our
lives and not to be inrerfered with.
ousin Hannah says" suggested Jessie
hen Mr.. Pringle. under prete nse of
lowing them ABOUT things, but really
ith a desire to hear aud see some of