Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1902-08-01
TABITHA,S
c BOX.

"Show me something suitable for a
wedding present" she had said, on en-
tering the shop.
A number of articles had been sub
mitted for her inspection, and at length
a biscuit box was suggested.
} Gould | see them?'
Yes, mem; we have some very pref
ty ones just now" said the salesman.
scenting a chance for getting quit off
4an old "shopkeeper," and producing
the one that finally reached Daisy.
Here is a really handsome one-the
newest p~attern-real majolica ware
and
Il don't want your newest pattern
new and nastyw %interposed Aunt Tabi-
tina. ."Show m something like my
self-old and antiquated-the oldest
thing you have in the place"
well, mem, this is really the very
thing you want. When l say it is the
newest pattern l mean the style is
quite up to date-it never goes out Of
fashion, you understands; and it is
yes, | believe it is the Oldest article we
have in the Shop
And the ugliest?" snapped the old
lady.
well, l wouldn't say that, but
Say that it is and I'll take it, she
said; adding, ''how do you clean it?'
oh, it's easily kept. You unscrew
this nut at the bottom and the tinware
aomnS ont - nyn1,inoI tho .-J.o-
and a bargain having been struck the
article was sent home to Aunt Tabi-
tha's and then to the destination al
ready known.
1t had not been many days in the sill
versmith's show last after being ex.
changed when the old lady again put
in an appearance at the shop. Her err
rand, she explained, was the same as
before-a wedding present.
you haven't any more newest style
biscuit boxes?" she asked, with a smirk.
of the shopman who had served her on
the previous visit.
Yes, men," he answered; every Curl
ously, there happens to be another al
most Identical to the one you got. 1t is
not quite the same, as you will parhaps
observe" placing it before her, ahS.not
even blushing; but you could hardly
tell the difference."t
Are you quite sure 1t is not the same
oneT' Aunt Tabitha asked pointedly.
Perfectly certain" chirped the shop
man.
Then unscrew it and show me again
how you clean it."
The young man went through the
same operation as before; but this time
a folded slip of paper fell out from be-
tween the ware and the stand and
dropped at the old lady's feet. Pick
ing it up she unfolded 1t and looked at
1t, and then, turning to the shopman,
said:
do you know, young man, where
liars go to? That's the same box that
bought from you about a month ago;
but suppose it's your business" And
with a twinkle in her eye as If she was
enjoying the joke, she paid for the arti-
Gle and ordered it to be sent home as
before"
Stephen Elder. railway slgnalman.
was reading In the local newspaper the
recount of the wedding Of his niece.
Miss Tabitha Daisy Elder, and his
only daughter, also about to be married,
was looking over his shoulder.
"Ay, Tabby, this will please your
uncle: it's ca'ed fashionable marriage
John aye wanted to be big; that's how
he went to be a grocer, he couldna bide
the moleskins; an when he married the
grocer's daughter an got the business
he was neither to baud nor bind. And
now he's a Bailie an a. that, and they
tell me he invited Aunt Tabitha to the
marriage; and so she sent the present. ,
"Her names OH the top of the list Of
presents, father; see. Miss Tabitha Ma
son, grand-aunt, check How much
would 1t be for, do you thisk"
"Oh, maybe five pounds. or 1t micht
be ten; but you maun mind Aunt Ia
bitha's not so rich as Johns folk make
her out to be. It's their big way
again"
She'll not ken about mine, father?'
said the daughter. %demurely.
"Ay, Tabby. she does; | sent her
word. She asked me to write her at
antrim times an let her ken what's
gaun on, and 1 sent her word when
your mother deed. and l thocht she
would like to ken about your mar.
riage."
She'll not think o. sendin' me ony.
thing, father; l couldna expect II. for
she's never seen me-"
There's nae sayin'; you're named
after her, and mo- thlnkin' shame O. the
name. an cain yourself Daisy"
While thus chatting a neIghbor look