The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-07


Durfey in the parlor. found the deacon
occupying a large armchair. sitting well TO
the front of it and very straight that his
short legs might reach the floor.
Miss Ashland" said he, I'VE were just
talking about the Sudburys and how they
went berrying over in Jones's pasture last
summer, when they had plenty of berries in
What was the matter, Deacon Durfey?''
| asked, innocently. Il thought that buckle
berries were common property.
But that isn't the idee" he rejoined,
hastily. The idee is, picking huckleberries
in other folks lot when you've got plenty
beer talking with her about It, and she
agrees with me- he added, jerking his
thumb with an upward motion toward Aunt
Probably you are right. Deacon Durfey,'
said l, seeking to guide the conversation
into safer channels. And soon he was oc-
cupied in giving us an account of a meeting
which he had been privileged to attend as
a delegate the previous week.
AT intervals came curious rumbhng SOUNDS
from the kitchen = rumble. rumble, ROLL.
What could Josephine be doing? Apparent
~ she was moving all the kitchen furniture tlr
deacon's recital, came longer, louder
rumble than usual followed by a crash.
slam-bang! Involuntarily glanced at Aunt
Tilda. Her eyes were fixed meanlngly on
Excuse me-" said L hastily; Il am afraid
there has been some accident in the ktch-
en-"
1 stopped at the foot of the stairs to call
john, ana then went on 10 IIe hllCHeii
Strange as had been the noises 1 was not
prepared for the facts. In the middle or
the room stood Josephine, mounted on
pair of roller skates. long-handled mop
grasped firmly in both hands. She was WHIP
ing up the food of water that covered the
floor.
Now this is how it happened, Miss
ANNIE she exclaimed eagerly, Il was just
ar tipply water pail knocked off. I'm a-rnop-
! ping it all up NICE she continued hope
fully; and / reckon a mop would be a
good thing to learn to skate with. 1t pears
| to sort o. steady you. But, Miss Annie,
she said appealingly. seeing me about TO
speak I cant 1to ever +b learn With wta tR s6e
my my inspection. What I need is a pair of
.'Linktum-vity?" said I blankly,
wheels. My! but they're, awful nice"
skates now and put on your overshoes.
while you mop up the floor l replied with
HAnd now. Josephine" continued more
| encouragngly, as her deft fingers undid the
| straps, If you will try as hard as you can
Mr., Ashland to give you pair of lignum-
vitae rollers; only you must practice IN
the barn"
"Crackyl won't I try" she exclaimed, her
eyes dancing. But Miss Tilda air pow full
aggravating,'' she added, refiectiyely:
err as I LEFT the kitchen and went upstairs
to see if John was doing mis- duty as host.
/ expected to find the den empty and
planned to rest there a little while myself,
| in fact. But there was john stretched out
in his steamer chair, smoking serenely
Why, John Ashland, what shirk you
are. Why don't you go down and entertain
| your company you invited?
M9w Anne" just 20 gently d ne e,, re-
had on my Slippers, and the door was ajar,
and 1 saw that I should be superfiuity,
SO / retreated.''
-
was too good to be incautiousy believed.
Nonsense yourself You can go down
and peek if you don't believe me-"
John, am ashamed of you! said l. be-
ginning to put things to rights in the room.
Now. Annie, don't muss things up
Muss them up, indeed. SAID l, making
as he started up to prevent further desecra-
ton.
whether Josephine had finished her mop
| ping, the floor was comparatively dry. jose
phine stood at the sink wringing out the
mop.
Air that Durfey man gone yet?" she de-
| manded, sitting down. and beginning to take
off her clumsy overshoes
Anna" the heavy voice was close behind
u.s. We both started like guilty children.
| 'I request that you. will not allow. your
| servant to speak in that way of my future
Land O. Massey Miss Tilda. what'n you
| think of next" gasped Josephine, the gum
| SHOE slipping from her nervous fingers.
TT is scarcely necessary for me to answer
that question" said Aunt Tida passing
| from the room with digniied mein.
But what she did think of next was to
be married to Deacon Durfey in less than
month So peace settled down upon our
! household Her departure seemed to have
! a good effect, not only Josephine, but on
her mistress as we'll. We both grew more
| womanly.
| Josephine won her skates, and even as
| write these last words there floats in at the
open window, mingling with the scent of
apple blossoms and the hum of bees: dis
| tant rumble of the "lintumvity" rollers.
| -Jennette Rarbaur Perry, in New York
Evening Post.