The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-11-10

Ma Fsirchild's life a. well - her an
esstry might have been read In its
sober appointments BY anyone versed
In such writing.
The girls merely glanced With veiled
interest At the old-fashioned furni-
ture, but MrA Chadwick ventured to
cay with an unusual brightness in her
Aue eyes: my dear. how this takes mo
hack to my own mothers room, with
the little Bibse and overdlled work
basket always on the same stand at
the head Of her bed"
On reaching The psrlor. Mary was
somewhat surprised to find grandma
ensconced there. company knitting in
hand. She remained discreetly quiet,
however, and conversation was eddy
ing smiably about the American pub
lie school system, when q meteoric fig
ure shot across the front lawn. and an
excited but jovial boys voice shouted:
"Maryl Mary! Come quick! The
pig has get outl"
''Oh, do let's 60 and help, and see the
fun anyway" cried Juliet, starting up,
while an irrepressible smile went
round. Poor Mary could do no less
than comply, fervently Wishing mean
while that Trotters and all his kin
were in the depths Of the sea.
Back and forth went the quarry,
with Dick in hot pursuit, dashing
through hower-beds, squeezing under
fences, and scattering poultry and
cabbages IN his mad career. while
Mary fourished q stick and Juliet
waved her handkerchief and cheered
on the competitors equally with her
smiles. After some ten minutes Of
this inspiring race, piggy was finally
captured on the barn floor amid pro-
digious squealings, and the girls re-
tired from the scene, leaving Dick,
spent with exertion and laughter,
perched on the meal-barrel and mop
ping his brow with piece Of old bag
ging.
"Oh, what a lark! I wouldn't have
missed II for anything" declared
Juliet, nodding gayly to Mr.. Fair
child, who at that moment drove into
the yard with his load. ~ do think q
farm Is the most delightful place In
the world"
Especially the menagerie,' said
Mary, relaxing in spite Of herself.
As they went up the steps they heard
grandma holding forth, and found that
dear old lady launched upon the tale Of
Andrew Hawkes. school-keeping ex-
perience. Her glasses were far down
on her nose, and she was-using her
knitting-needle. from which the
stitches had half run OF, TO empha-
size the dark points in Sammy Hawkes.
character. Mrs. Chadwick WIS throw
ing In q woSd now and then. and the
others listening with an interest
which. II not real. was certainly we'll
feigned.
Mary, who had heard the story b.
fore, wondered II II would ever end,
and. apprehensive regarding supper,
she went into the kitchen. Her moth
er passed her on her way 70 the par
lor. and after q three minutes chat
'as II nothing at all was the matter
begged the guests. with reassurins
cheerfulnesA to step out to tea.
There was one dreadful momepe
when they passed on unmistakably
into the kitchen. but really the room
did not look 30 very bad, with its
broad, western windows, and spotless
table set out with grsndmas fuster.
band china, and-yes. the usual thing.
one Of mothers countrifed. hetero-
geneous spread-plates Of biscuit and
rye bread, pitchers Of milk. ccttnge
cheese. picked beets. baked apples
spiced peaches, ham. cold chicken,
honey, doughnu,s and "sunps" IN
homely profusion. Alas. :or The salad
and the pineapple ice-for Katie Foley
and her waitress cap.
Father asked q long blessing, STAND
ing. as usual. He had on his second
best coat, and looked absent-mindedly
benevolent. Dick SGT by Juliet and
talked and joked. unburdened by eer.
emony. Alice begged permission TO
sketch the fireplace and photograph
the pump while Olivia invited sugges.
tions for a harvest festival.
Towards the end Of the meal. On old
half-witted neighbor came In to AL
mother for . piece Of soap, q news.
paper and some toothache drops, and
before leaving insisted on shaking
hands with the whole company. Ths
episode led to an animated discussion
Of social problens, In which Mrs. Fair
child's kindly common sense and moth
er-wit easily carried the day.
When the party adjourned to the
side porch and the big yard, Mary'i
spirits had risen with q sense that
the worst was over. and she exerted
herself to be 30 gay, gracious and
charming that the idiot and the run.
away pig should be blotted from mem
ory. That she succeeded was proved
by the sprightly voices and peak oi
laughter which shook the pendent
branches Of the sweet-bough tree
II do hope you'll invite us again,
observed Juliet, like any spoiled child
d she tucked a loaf OF brown bread
under her arm preparatory to say
Ing good-by; "the people about here