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


People with three servsnts couldn't
understand what IL ives 70 have grand
ma picking chickens In the back hall.
and mother hurrying 70 get the bread
kneaded up. and Dick. In dreadful old
jacket, doing-one didn't know whati
But towards the end Of the season she
resolved. and announced to her family
with due solemnity. that the Chsd.
wicks must all be invited TO tea.
"Why, Of course, have them here
whenever you like" said her father,
with q mans fatuous disregard Of de-
tails. They were all gathered In the
sitting-room after evening prayers.
"1t isn't 90 simple and easy a. you
seem to think" returned Mary. who
was anxious that the home circle
should be Impressed with the full se-
robustness Of the undertaking before
she began. "They have everything.
and I do want them to think that we
live like civilized beings, at least. I
have the supper pretty well planned
in my mind. and we can get Katie
Foley to come over and wait on fable.
I guess. I've been to the Chadwicks
20 many times that I 4E Sz-1 ~Iss
Ms proper to have, and how to serve
the courses and all that, and can do
the cooking us we'll as anyone. OF
course we shall have 70 have the table
In here"
In here? Humbug!" interrupted
Dick. "Why not have tea In the
kitchen. as usual? It's the pleasantest
room in the house, big and airy and
comfortable especially in summer.
when you don't cook there. anyway.
I say what's good enough for us"
"Oh. of course-you'd ask Mrs. Chad
wick to cat bread and cold sausage
standing up In the pantry, I dare say,
retorted Mary. whose temper was not
proof against opposition; however. %
this is my party, not yours"
"And the lounge, and the sewing
machine, and grandma's work table,
and my desk will all have to be lugged
out into the shed. suppose. and the
big table squeezed in7" pursued Dick.
Exactly; now do be quiet. I shall
take them up to my room when they
come." she went on to her mother. CIV
ing Dick . decided cold shoulder. ut
looks 90 nice since I stained the Aoor
and dfixedup a dressing-tsble. Then they
can amuse themselves little while in
the parlor while We get tea dished up
Kate 10 too stupid 70 be trusted with
anything"
"Ill amuse 'em, never You fear" put
In grandma, who wus remarkable old
lady and . great oonversataonaiist.
Goodness, grandma" began Mary,
she caught her fatherS eye and went
on In a modified tone. ~Of course ]
mean you to come in, and hope you'll
enjoy yourself. but please don't 60 OF
into one Of your endless stories about
people and things that they don't
know anything about Remember
they're strangers here, and not alb
sorbingiy interested In the Hswkeses
and the Billingses. Now about the in.
vitations. mother. I thought rd have
written ones, in the third person:
Mrs. Fairchild presents her compli'
msntA-'"
Mrs. Fairchild, who had been hsten.
Ing quietly. pushed up her spectacles at
this suggestion.
'That'd be silly" she said. with the
serene lack OF emphsAs which made
her speeches very effective ''Youmust
reeoliect, child. that al tho trouble you
take won't mako II anything out o
the common to them lts proper
enough, though. that IL should come
from me, and III stop In there in sea
son to ask 'em down."
"Oh. very well, mother" replied
Mary, . little taken back by this un.
expected conversance with the pro.
prietes. y shall have 70 AZ up my
blue dress to wear. suppose" she
continued.
The following Thursday was the ap'
pointed day. and Mrs. Fsirchild, who
called on Monday. reported that the
ladies would come with pleasure
Meanwhile new features had developed
with surprising rapidly. until one
would have thought that At least q
presidential visit or q wedding recep
tion was impending.
"Seems to me it's all foohshness, her
turning things upside down and want
Ing me to wear my Sunday clo'es,
grumbled Mr.. Fairchild in private. but
Mrs. Fairchild only replied: Don,
you worry, William; all that young
folks need Is little regulating"
On Wednesday father went to mill
fora load Of grist, while mother placid
ly did her usual baking and cleaning
up" leaving, 40 Mary gratefully OBJ
served, an immaculate field for to-mor
rows operations.
AT four o'clock that young lady put
on the striped percale and sat down &c
sew. Half an hour later, happening tc
glance up. she saw four well-knowr
figures. In dainty attire, approaching
the gate. She turned white and ther
red. and rushed to the kitchen, wher,
mother stood by the window sponginl
coat.
Mother. mother!" she cried. 'Th'