Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-10-18
AFTER THE STORM.

Patty Chickson, land the sooner the
better, according to my way of think
ing"
Mr.. Burlington was a portly individ-
ual, with a Roman nose, iron-gray
hair, and a stout, short figure.
Miss Chickson was tall and spare,
with little spiral curls and the remains
of a complexion, and with blue eyes,
that had been passing bright 20 years
ago.
"There is an end to all human en-
durance," observed the gentleman,
sternly.
"Sir," said Miss Chickson, Il have
put up with your eccentricities until
forbearance has ceased to be a virtue y
"a months notice !" said Mr.. Buf-
fngton, savagely fourishing his yell
low silk pocket-handkerchief
"You are quite at liberty to 60 at
the end of "a hours, for all I care y
retorted Miss Chickson, with dignity.
Madam, l take you at your word, "
said the gentleman.
Mr.. Barnabas Burlington had lodged
with Miss Patty Chickson for 10 years.
He was rich and eccentric she was
poor and proud. AS young people,
there had been certain love passages
between them-or rather the buds Of
loves passages, which had never bios
somed into full perfection-and when
Mr.. Burlington came home from China
and found his old pastors orphan
daughter trying to gain scanty live
ibood by letting apartments, he en-
gagged her entire second floor at once,
and paid his, way like rajah.
Poor girl poor girl !" said Mr..
Barnabas Burlington. "But how thin
and old-maidish she has grown l
really can't imagine how could ever
have fancied her a divinity. What
fools young men are, to be sure p
Poor, dear Mr.. Burlington how
stout and vulgar he has become y
said Miss Chickson. "And only to
think how slender he was once How
the dreams of ones youthful days do
alter !"
Mr.. Barnabas Burlington was not
perfect enough to be canonized, and
Miss Chickson had her petty peculiari-
ties. The consequence was that little
collisions were inevitable.
And one day there came longer
measuring Of wordy words than usual,
and Mr.. Burlington and Miss Chickson
formally parted.
"Ten years is quite long enough to
tolerate this state of things" said the
old bachelor.
I'm only surprised that I haven't
turned him away long ago" said the
old maid.
So when Mr.. Burlington had gone
away, in cab piled high with bag
gage, Miss Chickson rang the bell for
her maid.
Barbara, said she.
"Yes, ma am ?" said Barbara.
"Mr. Burlington is gone at last.
$50 l perceive, ma'am, said Bar
bara. "And won't he come back
again, ma'am?"
Never l" said Miss Chickson, with
spirit.
"Ohl" said Barbara, rather sur
prised.
ut will be necessary for us to re-
duce expenses, remarked the mis-
tress. "Of course l cannot any longer
afford to keep SO large a house as this.
Mr.. Burlington, whatever were his
faults, cannot be accused Of parsi-
mony."
Certainty not, ma'am, said Bar
bara. "Of all liberal, free-minded,
kind-spoken gents"
Barbara, you will oblige me by
holding your tongue !" said Miss
Chickson.
Certainly, ma'am," said Barbara.
"Get me a cup of tea" said Miss
Chlckson, "and when L have drunk 1t
l will go out to look for a cheaper
house, in less aristocratic neighbOr.
hood"
Barbara brought up the tea, in
quaint little Wedgewood teapot, on a
japanese tray.
Miss Cbickson drank it in silence,
looking sadly at the fire.
Tea was, SO to speak, Miss Chick
sons inspiration. When she was low
spirited or in doubt or puzzled, or in
any way thrown off her mental bal
ance, she drank tea, and straightway
became herself again.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Barnabas Buhng-