The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-01-25
MRS. GALLUP'S TRIBULATIONS.

the rain-barrel needed new
Il IA hoop and the woodshed door
wouldn't shut. and at three
O'Clock in theGafternoon Mr.. Gallup came
home to tinker things. He found the
kitchen door open and walked in and
looked around for Mrs. Gallup, but she was
not to be seen. He had got hammer and
nails from the woodshed and was about to
go out to the hem-house, when Mrs. Gal
lup family callc, him from the downstairs
bedroom. Mr.. Gallup stood irresolute for
moment, and then went in to her She
was lying on the bed with towel around
her head and the family Bible in her hands.
$50 my prayers have been answered"
sighed Mrs. Gallup, as she feebly opened
her eyes. Samuel, | prayed that you
might get here in time to kiss me on the
chin and say goodby, and you are hero. l
have just three minutes to live"
Mr.. Gallup ought to have been very
much startled and upset, but he was not.
He scratched his head and madea purring
sound aid took the camphor bottle off the
bureau and shifted heartily at its contents.
''You'd been gone about an hour" said
MIS-. Gallup, in stronger voice, land |
was Jest sayin to myself that I'd probably
live twenty minutes yit. when the Lord
suddenly called me. Yes, Samuel, warn
in was sent me that | must prepar' to
spread my golden wings and flap from
airth away. | was lookin' right at the
clock when it stopped with sort of whrr.
and 1T the same mint that big yeller bowl
in which make custards fell off the table
and broke all to pieces. That's exactly
what happened to Mrs. Jackson and Mrs.
Smallman aforc they died, and Elder
Spooner said it was the Lords way OF
tcllin' EN- that they d better git ready fur
"yer lastiu' bliss. Samuel, don t you want
10 kiss my chin and promise me you won't
take second wife till I've been dead a
yru?"
Mr. Gallup evidently didn't. lie took a
second sniff at the camphor bottle and
then turned and went out in the kitchen,
an, from thence to the woodshed to find an
old bootleg from which to cut IA hinge for
the hen.hnuse door. He found what he
wanted, and was ready to 30 about his
work when MIS-. Gallup appeared, she had
lett the Bible behind but the towel was
s,lil tied around her head, and she had
slipped her feet into her shoes without ty-
ing them up.
'Im sorry that shan't be here to get
your supper, Samuel" she said as she
leaned up against the kitchen door, it'll
be the first supper I've missed fur twenty
20. You'll hav to make out on cold Wit
ties fur once, and as I'll be lynn dead in
the house mebbe your appetite will be sor
ter blunted Who do you think you d
like to hay sit up with the corpse TO night
Samuel" did think I'd like to have Mrs.
Teachout and Mrs. Gregory, but both of
'cm are big eaters and great hands to look
around through closets and drawers.
Mebbe you'd better git Mrs. Watkins and
Mrs. Tyler. They won't want much to eat
and they are SIGH gossips they won't have
time to look around.'
Mr.. Gallup walked down the path lead
ing to the barn and turned aside to the hen
house. One of the leather hinges on the
door had worn out, and he was knocking
the pieces off with his hammer when Mrs.
Gallup arrived. Although in a dying con-
dition she had gone back to the BEDROOM
for the camphor bottle and by its aid had
ventured forth.
Samuel, she began, as she sat down
on an old box with her back to the struc-
ture, 1.-THE Lord giveth and the Load taketh
away, and we can't help ourselves. Pm
about to be taken. I've got my summons,
and before you hev fed the hogs and MIXED
the COW [ shall be tlappin' my angelic
wings. come out here to tell you three
or four things before | expire Mrs
Johnson owes me seven eggs and two
drawins of tea, and no matter how much
she criesa my funeral you don't want to
let her off. Mrs. Sam White owes me
starch and pepper and bakin' powder, and
even if she leads the singin' you want to
make her pay her debts. Some wives
would 90 right on and die and never think
of these things but that amt my way.
Mrs. Hopkins has my quilting frames, and
Mrs. Greedy has had one of my fiat irons
fur three weeks. After the funeral-aftel
my mortal remains have bin laid away
And there Mrs. Gallup, who had sradu
ally been working up to it, broke down
and began to sob and thrust the end of he,
red nose into the mouth of the bottle In
her hand. The putting on Of the hinge
was tritling matter, and Mr. Gallup bad
finished and was ready to tackle the rain
barrel when Mrs. Gallup broke down. He
walked away leaving her in tears, but she
followed after and sat down on the wash
bench to continued:
IF could hev lived couple OF weeks
longer could hev put up lot q: crab-ap-
pie preserves and make jar OF tomater
Sass, but the Lord knows best. Shall YOU
break down at the funeral, Samuel or only