The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-11-18

ordS and indications OF character that
Mrs. Fairchild's life as we'll as her an
cestry might have been read in it's
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 unusual brightness in her
fine eyes: "My dear, how this takes me
back to my own mothers room, with
the little Bible and overilled 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. and an
excited but jovial boys voice shouted:
"Mary! Mary Come quick! The
pig has got out!"
"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 flower-beds, squeezing under
fences, and scattering poultry and
cabbages in his mad career, while
Mary fourished 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 lark! I wouldn't have
missed it for anything!" declared
Juliet, podding gayly to Mr.. Fair.
child, who at that moment drove into
the yard with his load. IT do think
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. scnool-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 off, to empha'
size the dark points In Sammy Hawkes.
character. Mrs. Chadwick was throw.
ing in a word now and then, and the
others listening with an interest
which, if not real, was certainly we'll
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,
lor, and after three minutes chat
"as If nothing at all was the NATTER
begged the guests, with reassuring
cheerfulness, to step out to tea.
There was one dreadful moment
when they passed on Enthusiastically
into the kitchen, but really the room
did not look so very bad, with its
broad, western windows, and spotless
table set out with grandma's luster,
band china, and-yes, the usual thing,
one Of mothers countrified, hetero.
geneous spreads-plates of biscuit and
rye bread, pitchers of milk, cottage
cheese, picked beets, baked apples,
spiced peaches, ham, cold chicken,
honey, doughnuts and Snaps" in
homely profusion. Alas, for the salad
and the pineapple ice-for Katie Foley
and her waitress cap.
Father asked long blessing, stand.
ing, as usual. He had on his second
best coat, and looked ABSENT indedly
benevolent. Dick sat by Juliet and
talked and joked, unburdened by GER
emory. Alice begged permission to
sketch the fireplace and photograph
the pump, while Olivia invited sugges-
tions for harvest festival.
Towards the end of the meal, an old
half-witted neighbor came in to ask
mother for a piece Of soap, a news.
paper and some toothache drops, and
before leaving insisted on shaking
hands with the whole company. The
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 the
side porch and the big yard, Mary's
spirits had risen with a sense that
the worst was over, and she eXerted
herself to be SO gay, gracious and
charming that the idiot and the run
away pig should be blotted from mem
DRY. That she succeeded was proved
by the sprightly voices and peals of
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
as she tucked a loaf Of brown bread
under her arm preparatory to say
ing good-by;. "the people about here
are very pleasant, but their ideas of
entertaining are so exclusive"
"Mrs. Fairchild and have lived long
enough to learn that true hospitality
lies in letting people share our every
day lives; but like other best things,
it's the rarest, and I'm afraid the most
difficult" and Mrs. Chawwick shook
hands with that simple warmth to
which her fine presence lent peculiar
charm.