Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-04-14

SlmplcCOn ratneT uOeS uOI lOOk Alko u
man who was spending his life in vain
regrets. am a dreadful simpleton.
"No, honey, only natcherly a little
raw yet. It'll all come right in time.
She glanced beyond the pretty, cloud
cd face of the girl to where slow hob
bling figure was advancing toward them
by the aid Of a stout, age blackened
hickory staff
MY good graciousl Hero comes the
old wandering jew, as Seth calls him.
To my certain knowledge old Reuben
has been comm to the house every Sat
urday steady for ten years: Won't he
never get over that misery III the back?"
Liza shrugged her shoulders and
laughed mirthlessly.
IL should miss Reuben dreadfully If
he were to get we'll or to die. He is the
one immutable thing know Of" All
that was not dismal in her lot was lu-
dicrmS according to Liza's Saturday
cogitations, which were never rose tint
ed.
A little later Oh the smokehouse door
was closed and its big greasy key was
hanging on nail by the dining room
mantelpiece Eben and the boys had
ridden away, uncomfortably incased in
coats and cravats which gave them
quite an unfamiliar appearance. Tho
drugs had all been dispensed for the
day, ard Reuben had hobbled away,
happy in the consciousness Of having
performed sacred Saturday rite cred
itably. Only the clangor in the black
smiths shop, the noisy wrangling OF
contestants in foot races or marble
games in the we'll beaten quarter lot,
with a redundancy of coarse wet wear
ing apparel tapping gayly from every
fence rail or low growing bush about
the cabins, remained as unlovely re-
minders of the day.
Liza was in the pantry weighing
the materials for the soft gingerbread
which was the test of Seth's enthusi-
asm. Her mother had gone to see about
the oven heat, but returned suddenly
and stood before her flinging her fat
hands, palms outward, despairingly.
"Oh, Lord, the Chambliss carriage,
with Mrs. Chambliss and Miss Amy in
side, and it stoppin right smack bang
in front of the steps!"
BY this time she had intrenched her
self behind the pantry shutter, through
whose liberal chinks she was taking
hysterical observations Of the outer
world
Liza was poising the balances deli
catoly ON one slim white finger. In one
scoop was some powdered ginger, in
the other some fat bits Of metal. Her
nerves stood the shock of this unprece-
dcnted happening admirably. The beam
remained motiOnless.
81 think would not pry on them,
mother, ! suppose they are calling on
the blacksmith. A horse has cast a shoe
perhaps or bolt has sprung. Some
thing is always happening to the Cham
bliss turnouts.
Eyes, but, oh, my goodness gracious,
Liza. I've got eyesl It's here they're
maxim for. They re comm up the steps
as straight as an arrer. And, . Lord,
every blanket and spread and flannin
petticoat | own in the world strewed
all over tie front gallery sunnin, and the
ole mans rcd tlanniu drawers f!appin
like mad. Saturday Of all days! How
could guess they was comin?'
Rcbecca $ mild voice had by this time
reached pitch Of qucrulous excitement.
Liza regarded her coldly.
Il don't think it makes particle Of
difference, mother, about one knowing.
l suppose they want to sit down here
while the carriage is at the shop. Some
one must receive them decently. cant.
Soth's Sunday cake Is in jeopardy"
"But there amt any place for 'em
to set down. The ole man always leaves
my room lockin like sight when he
dresses up, and that evcrlastin poke
jimmy is down on her knees this blessed
minute in river of suds in the dinin
room.
"My room then. They are at the
door, mother. There's no place else. "
Mrs. Martin hurried ont of the pan
try red and nervous. What ON earth
did the Deli place people want?
Liza flung the scales from her Wit:
gesture of despair. The weights had
lost all significance. No doubt by this
time these two fine ladies, his mother
and his sister were in full possession of
her room-the poor little nest where
artistic makeshifts and homespun
adornments were the perpetual marvel
and delight Of the entire family. She
laughed aloud. Seth could never be in
duced to enter it, even for the placing
of hook or the hanging Of shelf,
without removing his heavy Shoes
which he considered proclamation Of
holy ground.
Doubtless Mrs. and Miss Chambliss
would find abundant opportunity for
adverse criticism. Why could they not
have ridden on up to the mansion and
sent the carriage back to the shopf The
whole proceeding was i'll bred and inso-
lent. Into this bitter reverie Mrs Mar
TINS shrill voice pierced suddenly
Daughter, it amt the blacksmith
nor me neither that they want 1t is
you They've come to call. / thought,
in your own house, you wouldn't wait
to bo asked for, SO l jus kept runnin
on, talkin most Of the time about you,
and showin them Ill the things you
done yourself--them little cite pictures
and boxes and things Miss Amy says
you must be awfully clever, and sho
only wishes she could do one-half tho
things v"n can. | lau:'htd ont Of gen