The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-11-12


sober appointments by anyone versed
in such writing.
The girls merely glanced with yelled
interest at the old-fashioned furni-
ture, but Mrs. Chadwick ventured to
say with an III usual brightness in her
fine eyes: "My dear, how this takes me
back to my own mothers room. with
the little Bible and overfilled work
basket always on the same stand at
the head of her bed"
On reaching the parlor, Mary was
somewhat surprised to find grandma
ensconced there, company knitting in
hand. She remained discreetly quiet,
however, and conversation was eddy
ing amiably about the American pub
lie school system, when meteoric fig
ure shot across the front lawn, ard an
excited but joval boys voice shouted:
"Mary! Mary! Come quick! The
pig has got Quit"
"Oh. do let's go 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 fiower-beds, squeezing under
fences, and scattering poultry and
cabbages in his mad career, while
Mary fourished a 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-
dgious 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 lark! wouldn't have
missed it for anything" declared
Juliet, nodding gayly to Mr.. Fair
child, who at that moment drove into
the yard with his load. 81 do think a
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 dowr
on her nose, and she was using her
knitting-needle, from which the
stitches had half run off, to empha
size the dark points in Sammy Hawkes.
character. Mrs. Chadwick was throw
ling in word now and then, and the
others listening with an interest
which, If not real. was certainly well
feigned.
Mary, who had heard the story be-
fore, wondered if it would ever end
and, apprehensive regarding supper
she went into the kitchen. Her moth
er passed her on her way to the par
Tor, and after three minutes chat
"as if nothing at all was the natter
begged the guests, with measuring
cheerfulness, to step out to tea.
There was one dreadful moment
when they passed on unmistakably
into the kitchen, but really the room
did not look so very bad, with it
broad, western windows. and spotles
table set out with grandma's luster
band china, and--yes, the usual thing
one of mothers countrified, hetero
geneous spreads-plates of biscuit ant
rye bread, pitchers of milk cottage
cheese, picked beets, baked apples
tspiced peaches, ham, cold chicken
honey, doughnuts and snaps" il
homely profusion. Alas for the sala'
and the pineapple ice-for Katie Fole,
and her waitress cap.
Father asked long blessing, stand
ing, as usual. He had on his second
best coat. and looked absent-mindedl,
benevolent. Dick sat by Juliet ant
talked and joked. unburdened by Ger
emony. Alice begged permission tt
sketch the fireplace and photograph
the pump, while Olivia invited sugges
tions for harvest festival.
Towards the end of the meal, an oil
half-witted neighbor came in to asl
mother for piece of soap a news
paper and some toothache drops, ant
before leaving insisted on shakin.
hands with the whole company. Tn
episode led to an animated discussion
of social problems, in which Mrs. Fair
child's kindly common sense and moth
er-wit easily carried the day.
When the party adjourned to tn
side porch and the big yard, Mary
spirits had risen with a sense tina
the worst was over, and she exerte'
herself to be so gay, gracious an,
charming that the idiot and the run
away pig should be blotted from mem
DRY. That she succeeded was prove,
by the sprightly voices and peals o
laughter which shook the penden
branches of the sweet-bough tree.
81 do hope you'll invite us again,
observed Juliet, like any spoiled chile
as she tucked loaf of brown brea
under her arm preparatory to say
ing good-by; "the people about her
are very pleasant, but their ideas o
entertaining are so exclusive"
"Mrs. Fairchld and have lived Ion
enough to learn that true hospitalit
lies in letting people share our every
: day lives; but like other best thing.
it's the rarest, and I'm afraid the mos
; difliHult," and Mrs. Chawwick shoe
: hands with that simple warmth {