Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-10-18

Miss Elliot was superinten ding the
production Of daintily drowned waffies--
her rest had not been especially pro-
NOTED by the growlings Of the fierce
bulldog under her window oil night
when she saw face pceping in at her
through the vine leaves that draped
the kitchen window.
"Mercy on us who's that ?" said
she, dropping ladleful of batter into
the fire.
cts the tramp, ma am, .,said Hannah
Ann, instinctively sweeping the silver
spoons into the dresser drawer.
Il only wish. madam said the
stranger, alphabetically, 'to thank you
for the hospitality which"
"Oh /! it's very we'll to talk" said
Miss Eliot, with asperity, ''but you
ought to be ashamed of yourself ~
MADAM r.
At your age, to BIO loafng around
the country, common tramp! With
your gray hairs to be-Hannah Ann.
there's that dog again Give him q
bone or something to stop his yelling,
or we cant any Of us hear ourselves
think Two fed you, sir, and clothed
you" (when Tigers snarls had tempo
rarily ceased } "but don't believe in
you and your like, aud I'll trouble you
never to cross this threshold again,
Hannah Ann, get the man some break
fast, and-dear me, has no gone al
ready, and without any thing to cat 2
Very we'll, her kindly heart hardening
into stone again, "if he doesn't like to
hear tho truth it's no fault Of mine.
Set on the coffee, Hannah Ann and.
Tim, you take that dog back to Farmer
Sopus' don't know but that I'd rather
be murdered by tramps than kept awake
all night by the barking of dog"
Miss Eliot had hardly recovered her
equanimity that morning, when note
arrived from Mrs. Deacon Dix, inviting
her to what little Tim irreverently termed
"tea fight that very evening.
"ro make the acquaintance Of the new
minister, q most blessed man" enthusiastic
ally wrote Mrs. Deacon Dix, "who has only
ust arrived ut our humble dwelling"
And Miss Eliot, delighted at the OPP
portunity, put on her best black silk
gown aud little cap trimmed with
lavender ribbons. and proceeded 10 the
Dix mansion just as the clock struck
five.
Mrs. Deacon Dix was there Ia her
best attire The two Misses Wilmcrd-
ing wero there IN the morie antiques
which had belonged to their grand
mother. and old Miss Holiday with her
white curls and pearl brooch and Miss
Eliot was led into the room by Miss
belinda Dix, blooming maiden of
Internationally summers, to find her,
self courtesying low to the man who had
been looked into her barn chamber last
night, and whom she had lectured 30
iercely that morning on the duty Of
earning his own living.
"Mias Eliot" simpored the uncon-
scious belinda "allow me TO make you
acquainted with Mr.. Revere, Of Stoney-
lands, our now minister"
But Miss Eliot had turned az many
colors as dying dolphin.
T-I didn't know" falterei she.
IL never suspected Oh, Mr. Revere,
what must you think Of me T.
II think, said placable Mr.. Revere.
who fully perceived the hnmor Of tho
situation, 'that you honestly believed
me to be tramp. and that You wouldn't
allow mo an opportunity TO explain. 7
had letter TO you from your lato pas
tor, but couldn't get chance TO de-
liver il, and"
"Oh, Mr. Revere, IL | had only
known p
Aud Miss Eliot wrung hor hands in
anguish of spirit
pray don't reproach yourself any
further, Miss Eliot" said tho minister,
''for what is really my fault. My wife
always says AN too careless Of my
clothes, aud il did look like u tramp"
But here. fortunately for good Miss
Eliot, a new arrival nccessitated new
introductions, and she was allowed to
drop, crimson and breathless, into the
nearest ohair.
"To think" she gaspcd. almost 10
audibly, that should have made such
a mistake! TO think could have becn
such fool !! And even Hannah Ann
knew better Did not sho say, from the
very first, that he wasn't the sort for tho
barn chamber? What will Hannah Ann
say tho first Sunday she sees him ut
church !"
Poor Miss Elliott was an awkward
piece Of business And to this day shs
isn't quito certain whether she or tho
minister was the most 10 blame for H.!
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4 l.. ~