Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-11-09


dubbed the "Theo-food march,"
Not only did It prove effective, pic
turesque and unique, but Margery de-
ciared it a most expeditions method
of getting the table cleared, and only
wondered that no one had ever
thought OF adopting such a scheme be-
fore
Practice makes perfect, and after a
day or two. the young Merits execu-
ted their march around the table un-
der Theo's leadership, in a manner
that might have given pointers to a
professional stage manager. So great
indeed was the young gentlemen's
success that he began to wonder II ne
would not be making a mistake In Sc
lecting law as his future profession.
Meanwhile, Alice, Lille and Kate
had expressed their intention of COM
ing to their dearest Margery" on the
Thursday following, and added, as
postscript, the formidable lnforma-
tiOn that they were to be accompan-
led by an old maid aunt. in the capacl-
ty of 'chaperone.
Aunt Jane" was the young peoples
bugbear, and in their eyes she pos
sessed but one redeeming quality
that of laziness. This, Of course, Is
usually deemed a fault, but in the
case of Aunt Jane 1t was different,
for this overruling trait often prevent
ed her even discovering performances
which would have called forth tor
rents of wrath had they not remained
secret.
In the first place, Aunt Jane always
lay in bed late of mornings, and If the
young people possessed sufficient ener-
gy to rise early there was no knowing
in how many frolics they might in
dulge. undiscovered and undisturbed.
1t was one evening at bed time that
the formidable arrived Being over
come with fatigue the elder lady
sought her own apartment at once,
and 1t was with a sigh of deep thank
fulness that the youthful crowd
caught the last glimpse of the stiff
gray curls bcbbing away upstairs.
1t was hours later, however, before
the girls, in their own rooms, had
whispered their last stealthy secret
and giggled their last giggle for the
night. Aunt Jane was to be the vic
tim Of a plot
1t was not a plot, however, that
dealt with poison or dynamite, but on
ly some minor details of etiquette.
Aunt Jane would probably seek to in
terfere with some of their arrange
ments, but they simply didn't intend
to let her-that was all.
At breakfast that lady failed to put
in an appearance and all went well.
That is, the food march," after the
first course of fruit was finished, was
carried through, much to the delight
of Alice, Lille and Kate. Several new
figures were introduced, and not one
of the boys was so unfortunate as to
spill syrup or gravy on any young
lady's tresses. Ut might be well to ex-
plain, however, that there was no sy-
rup or gravy to spill)
At dinner, howeveR, Aunt Jane was
sitting rigidly erect at the foot of the
table, when an ominous little brlstle
of the stiff gray curls, as though
scenting mischief in the air.
She was unaccustomed to having no
one to wait on the table, and ex-
pressed strong disapproval at Carries
dismissal How desert was to be
served she had not the remotest idea,
and when the first course was COM
pleted she was greatly startled by a
sudden thunder Of loud chords from
the piano, and in a moment more sur
prised quite speechless when the en-
tire crowd rose abruptly from their
places, seized their plates and began
a rapid march around the table.
Absolutely incapable of speaking
the poor lady leaned back In her chair
and gasped while the gay crowd
whirled and revolved about her, quite
ignoring her presence.
So great was the din, combining as
1t did the music, the clatter of china
and shrill peals of laughter, that nc
one heard the door bell ring time al
again, till at last the visitor, tired OF
waiting, entered unannounced upor
the scene.
No one so much as saw him except
poor, wretched Aunt Jane, who
dropped her glasses. twisted her car
awry. and turned almost purple will
modification.
1t was the minister, an old friend OF
both Aunt James and the Merrills
Far from Mortified, however, that gen
tleman stood watching the scene fol
moment with merry twinkle in hii
eye, then, catching the spirit of th'
occasion he seized Aunt James plate
and, joining the marchers, deposited /
on the sideboard himself.
The young people had triumphed anC
Aunt Jane was completely defeated
After that there was marching be
tween courses at every meal, and al
declared that 1t aided digestion, be
sides all its other good results.
Certain it is, too, that Theo's plal
solved a problem for Margery whicl
had for some time been troubling her
1t had been her dearest wish to en-
tertain a number of friends at a sty
lish tea of several courses, and she un
derstood well how to order its prepar
alton. 1t was the serving which hai
been the trouble. But now, what coult
be more unique than to have tn
guests all rise at the completion o
each course. and marching around tn
table TO the sound OF music, deposi
their own plates on the sideboard an
return to the table?
A judge would be appointed I
watch the performance and deliver
: prize each to the boy and girl accom-
plishing their duties most gracefully
> Margery's tea was an entire success.