The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-08-17
HOW MRS. FANDINGLE WENT TO
THE REGATTA.

Il
| She had been entertaining children
all the hot June week and returned
/ from escorting them to the train, warn
and tired. They were not troublesome
children at all, being both bright anc
well behaved, nevertheless, added tt
her own famiyl they took timt
and strength. 1t was quarter after
three when she reached home, removed
her street suit, and was ready to take
up her needle. Being an economical
| little woman and quite agile with thf
shining weapon" she was always as
| saying some work of dressmak1ng art
| and what is more, was generally sue
cessful in her attempts. A regatta was
on the programme for the next day
| and Mrs Fandingle longed to array
herself in a certain dark blue silk
blouse which the dressmaker had left
| in an unfinished state. Out it came
from the sewing drawer. well,
unused she, as she shook out the gar
ment, surveying the sleeve Innings,
as yet with only the sleeve cuffs, Il
guess l could finish this tonight.
| There's only the sleeve tops to put ON,
| and the collar and belt. I've got the
ruffle made for the front, and L don't
believe I'd like any trimming on the
waist; I'm pretty stout and those
| dounces' look so hot. 7 want this waist
| for comfort"
So she applied herself resoutely to
her sewing, and though her task was
prolonged through the evening, she en-
dured the discomfort without complaint,
| cheered by the prospect of being dress
| ed in a cool and becoming manner next
! day.
The festive morning daWned; what
with attending to her brood of young
sters, experimenting lunch, Tor she was
like John .Gilpin's wife,
although on pleasure she was bent,
She had frugal mind,
And took generous provision With her
for her party. The time after break
fast slipped along until the query of the
impatient boy: Mamma isn't it time
to go?" reused her to the alarming fact
that 1t wanted forty-fve minutes of the
start" and THE Fandingles lived two
miles from the steamboat dock.
Aunt Jane, will you go with the
children? Take this basket; run young
sters to catch the cars. I will follow as
soon as | can, and If I am left look
out for papa and Aunt Jane. all of
which might sound rather vague to
strangers, but her hearers seemed per-
fectly to understand. The exodus was
so speedily performed that Mrs. Fan
dingle was soon In possession of a silent
and empty house for she had seen the
brood back of her cook disappear
around the corner ten minutes before,
this individual being glad Of holiday,
and her mistress feeling more secure
in leaving a locked and solitary house
than If the queen of the kitchen We're
left in undisputed possession.
1t was the work Of very few min 1fn
utes to loclerWlndows and pull down
shades, put the cake, napkins and
drinking cups into a second lunch bas-
ket and without fretting her philosoph-
ical soul over the chaotic appearance
of the Kitchen, she flew to her bedroom
to make her toilet With. curling tongs
in her hair, she gathered together her
articles of dress, including the new
waist. hoped into her boots found the
field glasses which Mr.. Fandingle had
forgotten, put lunch basket, umbrella
and book all together in the front
hall and duly arrayed and certainly
unduly laden got to the street car in
twenty minutes after Aunt Jane and
the children
This was making quick time and she
knew it and was complacent in her sue
cess thus far: but alas! the next stage
of the trip, was performed on her two
pattering feet, as the second line of
cars was going the wrong way for her.
Not yet dismayed, Mrs. Fandingle
bravely changed ballast from one arm
to the ether and walked the next mile,
only to see the tops of the slnokestack
disappear around the end of the wharf
when she reached the pier Without
stopping to show any disappointment,
she walked down the next street, as IL
she had not the slightest interest in the
departing steamer, with its flying flags
and music and crowd of pleasure seek
ers The returning cars bore her to the
deserted home IF cook has left any
fire, | can get along very well and il
she hasn't / shan't starve," thought
Mrs. Fandngle, though her motherly
heart sank at thought of her babes
without her on the roaring sea- As
said, babes were all over six years, and
only three in number with their father
and aunt on board, she secretly knew
they would be safe, yet her thoughts
brooded over them as bird over her
nestlings Six o'clock brought them
safely home, likewise Bridget, who said
of the Kitchen:
1T looks like the monkeys been hav-
in picnic
"A hot dinner refreshed and Gained
the tired family, so that the younger
members were slowed away in season |
and comfort.
Aunt Jane and Mrs. Fandingle fol- |
lowed their example early in the even
inc.
1t was In the merry morning hours |
that Mr. Fandingle cast anchor. so to |
speak, at his own doorstep. Having |
performed this feat without damage to |
the steps he made his entrance and as
cent to the upper floor with quiet and |
success. His athletic form was soon
stretched out in repose, and Mrs. Fan |
1ingle's sumbers were apparently un-
disturbed 1t is strange how the sea air |
and saturates those who en-
10y the salty breezes for al whole day. |
Mrs. Fandingla shifted the nautical at |