Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-03-24
GETAWAYS HOUSEKEEPING
By HELEN w. CLARK.
They are coming, Viney!'.

and shading her eyes with one hand.
looked down the lane, where tall null.
berry trees threw their long shadows Oh
the velvety grass.
Coming, Miss Nancy!' echoed a
sweet voice.
And pretty Whey Mavis hastily
showed gooseterry pie into the oven,
and came out OH the back porch, with
its drapery of pink and violet cupped
morning glory vines.
She, too, gazcd eagerly down the long
land, and soon the sapphire. blue eyes
sparkled and the pink tinted cheeks
broke into dimpling smiles.
"It's them!' che cried. II could tell
old Dapple's jog.trot mil" away"
Whey had been up since peep of day,
when the first touch of pink dawned in
the eastern sky, and when the thrush
and the catbrd were thrilling their
earliest morning peans.
She had MIXED the SLEEPY looking
COWS, their dewlaps still vet from con
tact with dripping grass, and had
breakfast ready just as the crimson sun
was peeplng over the cloud capped
bluffs, lining the shores of the great
Father Of Watc.s.
1t was an extraordinary occasion as
Farmer Mavis was going to the railroad
station, twelve miles distant, to bring
home his only daughter, Octavia, from
boarding school.
"Don't you bother yourself about
breakfast, Whey" said the farmer good
naturally, as he lighted his cob pipe at
the kitchen fire. 81 kin eat snack
and hev breakfast when we git home. u
But Whey would not hear to it, and
with her own hands she fried her
uncles favorite pancakes, yellow with
eggs, poured his coffee and set glass OF
fresh, sweet milk at his plate.
Dinner will be all ready when you
get back, uncle, 80 bring good appe
tite," she said, kissing him good by.
1t was happy family that dwealt at
the old brown house.
Farmer Mavis was good nature per.
sontied, and Miss Nancy, the house
keeper, was sweet tempered old maid
not 10 very old, either, for youthful
crir kles still lurked in her soft brown
hair, and her cheeks were as rosy az a
ppar.m.in just touched by frost. She
was distant connection of Farmer
Mavis, and had kept house tor him ever
since the death of his wife, six years
ago.
Whey was his niece and was as dea,
to him as an own daughter.
Great were the preparations which
were made for Octavia's home coming
Miss Nancy had occurred the windows
and made up the plump bed, with fresh
lavender. scented sheets and pillow slips
and the best homcspun coverlet.
And Whey had cooked a subst anita
dinner-roast chicken and cream bis
cult, new potatoes and green peas and
caulAower, with custard and gooseberry
pie for dessert.
In the meantime Octavia was on the
cars, speeding along at the rate of a
mile minute. She was sharp featured
thin Tipped, with light hair, and face as
fgeckled az turkeys egg.
Il am going home to keep house 70,
my pa. she said, afiectionately. to hel
girl cronies. "To be sure, he has a SORT
of relative keeping house now-an old
maid-but shall soon set her adrift
I detest old maidsl'
10 due time Octavia reached home
She bestowed cruel nod on Miss Nan
cy and touched Niney's finger tips =
idly!
Mercy on thisw she cried, in thin
high voice, as she entered the house
Dinner at this hour? How horrid
What does make ia keep such old fash
toned hours?'
Miss Nancy and Whey looked aghast
at this unlocked for reception.
eve had it earlier than usual, on
your account, Octavia," ventured her
cousin. 1--WE thought you might need
something"
Need something. indeed!" shifted
Octavia, with a sheer on her thin lips
DO You s'pose I've been starved where
came from? Besides, had lunch
on the cars. l am going up to my room
to take a nap now" she added. 1t will
be soon enough for dinner after that"
and she swung out Of the room without
waiting for a reply.
'Wali, ef that don't beat all' grum-
bed Farmer Mavis, his honest blue
eyes expanding with surprise. EFF o.
lazy thinks We are goln to wait for her
to nap afore we eat dinner, she kin