The Van Buren press., 1897-03-27
HIN. +. B.
ny ANNIE II. DoNNELL.

"H. NJ. T. B. What in the world
do those letters mean?" unused Annah.
"Thats just what I'd like 10 know,
Aunt Ursula exclaimed, peering at the
letters through her glasses. They were
set down, tiny and clear-cut, opposite
one of Aprirs days in the almanac.
There was a eabaistic air about them.
II wrote 'em there to put me in mind
of something, but l can't for the life of
me recollect what" Aunt Ursula's be-
nign, creased face took on added creases
of perplexity She reread the letters
slowly, refeetiyely, "H.-M.-F.-B."
at might be Her Majesty's Female
Brigadiers, you know, or Fire Brigade"
suggested Annah. 81 feel sure it's her
majesty's something"
at might be Harry MeIntyr and
Philip Bump" retorted Aunt Ursula,
calmly. 1t was home thrust, and An
nah subsidized into sudden meekness.
Her fresh cheeks colored.
philip doesn't begin with an F-al-
ways" she murmured.
But Aunt Ursula, intent on the al
iiandt, hlu HOl Ittis hiplt tiiaA iHet
winter when l was planning my work
ahead" she said. 81 like to know just
what to expect on just what days.
April 21--merciful me, it's to-day! To-
days the 21st, as sure as I'm breathing
soul! Well, all is. the cleaningll have
TO wait. I did plan to newspaper the
pantry shelves to-day, but | amt going
10 miss any of the programme that's
put down."
Annah sprung up briskly, herself
again. "0h, yes, Aunt Ursula-of
course! Let's go right off and-H. NJ.
+. d. this minute. I'll help you" Her
eyes danced with fun.
'Merciful me- to be surel How can
we, till we know what 'tis?" cried Aunt
Ursula, in dismay. "What in the name
of common sense is it? H.-M.-F.-B.
II. NJ" She unused over the letters
with knit brows.
Uncle Miles came into the room in his
stocking feet, looking for his slippers
lie padded across the floor and looked
over Aunt Ursula's shoulder.
more higlypherics, Ursuly?" he
asked. snow what?" His mild blue
eyes twinkled
Uncle Miles, what does II. NJ. +. b.
stand for? It's something we've got to
do to-day, the 21st of April, and we don't
know howl"
Feather bed!" announced Aunt Ur-
sula, triumphantly. That's the f. B.
part of it, anyhow OF course it's
Why didn't / think in the first place?
! laid out to do 1t to-day, being sort OF
betwixt hay N grass, before the clean
ing began in good earnest. l thought
I'd get it out of the way before hot
weather. f. B.-feather bed"
"Her Majesty's Feather Bed!" cried
Annah, waving the almanac. "Just
what suspected"
Uncle Miles nudged Aunt Ursula's
elbow in appreeiatiye enjoyment of the
girls fun. Aunt Ursula smiled absent
ly. wrestling still with her memory.
Hired man'sl" she announced fur
Their, with definite triumph. "I've got
TO make over the hired mans feather
bed to-day, and | guess I'd better be
about it. It's all worn out" She
glanced anxiously up at the clock.
ITS considerable late to begin that
kind of job, but the new ticks all
ready, that's one thing to be thankful
for. Annahl" Aunt Ursula looked up
over her glasses. Her tone was en-
phatically deliberate. mark my words
If you want to make the most of your
time, you keep things kind of ready
right along-feather bed ticks and
everything else And II you've laid out
10 do thing on a certain day o. the
month, you do it! Now I'll go get the
feather bed downstairs"
Aunt Ursula lived up to her gentle lit
tie lectures. Her work was always ar
ranged with careful method and al
ways methodically carried out. The
pile of almanaes filed away on the sec
ond left-hand shelf in the cupboard
held many mysterious, remindful let
tiers and words between their covers.
and to Aunt Ursula's credit be il said
they rarely failed to remind at sight.
The Hired Mans Feather Bed was a
notable exception.
But fate, in the small, stubby person
of 'Doniram Cobb, interfered with the
almanae's decree. 'Doniram lisped. He
appeared, bare of foot, of head and of
ceremony, in the doorway
Mother thays to come quiekth ever
you can thcoot-he'th thicker'n the
dickenth. Heth ath stiff'th poker
fit. l gueth."
"Merciful me, Adoniram Cobb, what
are you talking about, and who?"
"Thammy-it'th him. He'th thick
er'n the dlckenth. | gueth You better
thcamper." 'Doniram's sun-bleaehed
head disappeared from the door and his
cushioned little feet battered out of
hearing.
Aunt Ursula took off her apron and
rolled down her sleeves. She sighed
once or twice gently.
"of all days. she said, "to 20 and
have a fit in I'm real sorry for sam
my Cobb, poor little creature, but DO
want TO make over that feather bed.
noys't l know it's the day I'd ought
70 do it. ] wish Sammy'd waited Just
till tomorrow afternoon. Miles, you
get the mustard box, and can't you
finish out the newspaperin' on that
ore shelf? likely as not they're all
out Of mustard 70 blister hiia with"
Annah watched Aunt Ursula On doyrr