The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-09

Then there was TEA. Samyel drank only
coffee, on ''twouId be extravagant for
me, she says, to buy half q pound Of Tea
for myself I'll take a pinch Of yours 80
she took pinch most every day. Pinohes
make pounds--enough Of 'em. Pickles.
she often observed, I'm most especially
fond Of, but Samyel says they rust out the
linin of body's stomach. 30 I've made
up my mind I'll eat mine over here, an
then he won't know II the linin Of my
stomach Is rusted out or not wish"
feebly concluded Mrs. Robinson, that
you'd look at that row of empty jars on
top of the kitchen press"
"Me an Tom," said the protesting
voice, "wanted to talk 1t over, but twas
only between 10 at night an in the morn
in we got chance tom, ! says 10 him
one night after she'd been in an borryed
our last half dozen Of eggs, sayin she'd re-
turn 'em when they got cheaper, tom, we
got to get shet Of Mary Mason Tom says,
Il don't know how we're goin to do 1t I'M
less we move back on the farm. "
"But you couldn't well do that"
"Not real easy. So begun to give her
hints. give her all kinds Of hints l said
as how I'd never been used to sassiety, an
that much of 1t made my head ache.
said as how Tom just loved solitood-that
there wasn't anything he liked better than
spendin his evenin's alone with me an the
children. l said late hours was fearful
wearin on our constructions, an that after
this we was goin to bed not later'n
O'Clock. said couldn't return her visits
because Tom hadn't no use for women
that was allus gaddin - an besides 1t
wouldn't be no use for me to go over, seein
she was never home. Them an lots other
gentle hints I gave her. She only says
ooh, stuffinl amt one to make fuss
because body can't keep up with the
rules Of ettirquette. don't mind If you
never come over. won't get mad. ain't
that proud sort. Guess I'll take bit of
that rolypoly over for Samyel's dinner.
It'll save me maxim sass. 1t twas that way
right along. When she got through eatin,
she was sure to want somethin to take
home for Samyel You jest put an extry
tablespoon of coffee in the pot, she'd say,
IAN I'll run over with Samyels cup
That'll save me maxim some. Well, when
told Tom that them mild sayin's of mine
'ud no more mix into her mind than you
could make sulphur blend with water,
Tom says: Tell her we're goin to move
back on the farm. Maybe then shell begin
to neighbor with the folks that has just
got married across the alley.
"That very day-twas quarter to IL, a
week ago yesterday-she come a-walkin
into the kitchen (she never knocked)
big plate in her hand. Like usual she had
whole big welcome for herself. I know
ed she says, you was amin to have
billed dinner today, an thought I'd Jest
run over an get enough for Samyel an
me out'r the pot while 1t was hot So up
she marches to the stove an takes the lid
off'n the kettle an begins a-spearin out the
salt pork, the turnips an the cabbage.
'Sake's alivep she says, proddin round,
there amt no carrots. Why amt you got
some carrotsP Me an Samyel, we're reel
fond of carrots
Maybe says kind of sarcastic like,
well have lots Of 'em soon-that Is if wo
move back on the farm, like we're talkin
of doin.'
"Tom thought that'd be knockdown
blow. So did !. But 'twasn't. We didn't
know Mary Mason. She smiled all over.
"'Gracious mel she says If that amt
luck! 1 told Samyel this mornin was
clean beat out housekeepin an would like
chance to recooperate. Here 1t Is. I'll go
out to the farm with you an stay for three
months.
"Then I knew that my last hint had
fall'n flatter'n the breakfast puffs you
make from newspaper prize recipe. I had
felt my family peace a-goin, had suffered
my own health a-goin, an seen my din
ner a goin too. So riz In my wrath.
a T ofy,if in
ain t goin to be asked
"She bust out a-laffln
"'Mercy mel" she says, what a one
you are for jokin. never see the beat of
you, Mis- Robson. amt so awful per-
ticker that wait for folks to ask me.
"Then my temper rises. 1t come up
like milk a-bilin. You don't know it's
near the top till it runs over. L amt jok-
In, 1 says. If we move back on the farm,
twill be to get shet Of you.
"'What's thatf she saysan stands there
a-gawpin.
"'It'll be to get shet Of you,' repeated
reel deliberate. This Is the last hint I'll
give ye, Mary Mason
"Did she take itp' the visitor queried.
A faint smile Of triumph illumined the
face reposing on the patchwork pillow.
ooh, yes, she took it-along with the
billed dinner. She said, though, that her
faith in human natur' was shook. She
said she'd never again try to neighbor
with woman who didn't appreciate the
friendliness Of persons more accustomed
to sassiety. She lowed she never had much
use nohow for folks who couldn't tell fin
doosickle from sauerkraut.
$50 your ordeal is at an endS'
ave believe So" the little woman said
hopefully. cts q week since we had the
billed dinner-most of which we didn t
have. She amt come over since. I'm get
tin my health back. Tom an Inc is Twin
happy an peaceful again. We go to bed at
half past s. The children gets all their
share at meal times. Tread up when feel
willin Tom says it's too good to last. He
says she'll come back one of these days.
Do you think she will?'
ooh, surely not"
II hope not" returned the little wom-
an, smiling brightly. But the next Instant
she cast toward the door furtivc glance
that was dark with dread. "We'vo got
shet of Mary Mason, know, but-will we
stay shetp''