The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-10-08
WINKLE'S FUNERAL.
NY EMMA GARY WALLACE,

Mrs. Wrinkle walked rapidly up the
, street toward tis. village schoolhouse,
where her daughter Kate taught. 1t was
noticed by no less than three different
Bumbleton matrons that she wore no
gloves, and they, knowing her precise hab-
its, naturally wondered why.
Not many moments later, Mrs. Winkle
returned, accompanied by her daughter, who
was very red in the face, and, ii was fur
tber observed, was wiping her eyes and
blowing her nose vigorously.
Mrs, Rightmyer, one OF the three observ-
ant matrons went straight over to Mrs.
Skinkle's and met Mrs. Sa'ter going in
also. These three never allowed any OF
the local happenings to escape their rsr-
sonal attention, and by tacit consent Mrs.
Skinkle was leader of the village vigilance
committee. All three had noticed tne same
UNUSUAL conduct Of the part Of Mrs. Winkle,
and were just discussing the possibilities
OF the case, when Oracle Skinkle came run
ming in and asked for a piece of bread aud
butter.
BLESS me, is it recess time already" ex-
claimed Mrs. Salter. ut does seem as if
them teachers give more playtime than
there is need oi."
but what" interrupted Mrs. Right
myer, did Miss Winkle go home for:'
Don't know" answered Oracle, her
mouth full of bread and butter. Some one
raped at the door when we was sayin' our
geografy lesson an when the teacher come
back from the door she sent us right to our
seats an went out Before very long Prof.
Jones come down with one OF the big girls
from his room to take Miss Wrinkles place
an told lis to show our respects for Miss
Winkle by behavin' when she was away
an We all held up our hands that we would,
an we have been havn' jolly time ever
since"
"Then she is not coming back this aft
ernoon," remarked Mrs. Skinkle, with con-
viction.
Her father is an awfully old man." de-
clared Mrs Salter, land | shouldn't won
der a mite if he was dead"
Oracle hurried back to her companions,
almost bursting with the news that Miss
Wrinkles father was dead. This story rap
idly spread among the 500 school children,
who were greatly delighted, because the
funeral of an old resident meant half or
possibly a whole holiday
The children wondered vaguely when the
funeral would be. Tom Langford said he
hoped that it would be next day at II o'clock,
as he wanted to 60 to picnic, and then
they would be sure of the whole day.
Some one overheard part of what he said,
and consequently about 400 children went
home that night with the sad news that
poor Miss Wrinkles father was dead and
was to be buried next day at II o'clock.
Mr.. Wnkle was or had been Of the salt
Of the earth, and everyone said so. Some
wondered what the widow would do, and
others suggested that as she was wellpre-
served and good looking she probably would
marry Mr. Boothby, the eligible old widow.
er of the place. The suddenness Of the fu-
neral was accounted for by the extremely
hot weather.
The Wrinkles were calmly eating their sup
per when box arrived, which on examina-
tion proved to contain a huge bouquet Of
red and white geraniums and was accom-
panied by Mr.. Boothby's card.
This was no sooner disposed Of than the
florists boy lett work OF his art in the
shape OF an evergreen harp.
The Wrinkles were viewing this with
astoaishment, when the gate gave another
ominous click, and Mrs. Salter was seen
trudging down the hower-bordered path
Evidently she was warm, for she was mop
ping the perspration from her face She
was arrayed in her best black merino gown
and wore her winter bonnet. Under her
arm she carried bundle, the paper Of which
had burst, and disclosed a sheaf of
wheat tied with pink ribbon, which had
last done duty at the funeral Of an in |
FAINT.
At this instant double carriage unload.
ed six people at the side door. 1t was the |
entire Hargrave family. Mrs. Hargrave
flung her arms about her neck and burst
into tears.
At the same moment Mr.. Winkle opened |
the front door TO admit Mrs. Salter, but at
the sight of him that good woman gave
shrek and foil, burying the sheaf beneath her
ample form. Her winter bonnet spitefully |
knocked over Mrs. Wrinkles prize begonia,
which was the envy Of all Bumbletown.
Mrs Hargrave caught sight OF Mr.. Winkle
through the open door and shrieked as
loudly as Mrs. Salter. Her cry OF terror
started the horses, and before Mr. Har
grave could recover fronAlis own fright at
seeing the corpse appear hi the door his
horses were halfway down the street and
his carriage thing 81 the past.
The horses were caught, but the Har.
grave family had OF necessity to remain
over night Explanations followed, bu
hat did not prevent the whole country
side turning out en- masse to the funeral.
Mr.. Winkle was obliged to retire to the
woodshed chamber, as the mere sight OF
him sent the women into Mysteries before
explanations could be made Through &
little cob webbed window he watched the
people who came to bury him, and smile
OF grim satisfaction overspread his wrinkled
when he perceived Mr.. Booth
by trotting down the path with a flower in
his buttonhole and his boots polished until
they rvaled two now tin pans in brilliancy.
Some of the people seemed actually dis.
appointed, but Mrs. Salter was the one who
finally mustered up courage to ask Mrs.
Winkle why she went for Kate.
Because the seamstress wanted to try
on her Dress" curtly answered Mrs. Winkle,
ruefuly viewing the remains of her pet
begonia, and thinking of the bottle of ink
that the Hargrave boy had spilled on the
parlor carpet
"And what did Kate wipe her eyes and
nose for all the way down the main street of
Because" said Kate, answering for her
mother, II happen to be suffering from an
attack Of hay fever"
But ! am very much obliged to all OF
YOU for the flowers added Father Winkle.
.-Boston Globe
Sure Proof.
When France and Germany were at war.