St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-31

trades people Knew Qlm, 30 ne walked LOT
some distance till he came to a side
street, and here he found what he
wanted. And what q number of pur-
chases were needed! Tea first, Of course,
half pound at one shilling and six
pence pound, good, pungent, black tea;
a quarter of pound of sugar, bread for
the toast, and quarter Of pound Of
fresh butter. Even milk he had to buy,
SO he bought pennyworth, and a bottle
in which to carry it.
But this was not all: cups, saucers,
plates, knives, toasting-fork, all were
needed. He might, he thought, abstract
two spoons from the dining-room while
Perkins was downstairs, and at the same
time he might secure the silver teapot.
But for the silver teapot he felt only
scorn; his soul hankered to see again on
the tea-tray little brown earthenware
pot. So he bought a brown teapot and
two blue cups and saucers, which re-
minded him of some Mary and he had
bought when they were furnishing their
cottage.
Fate was kind in allowing him to en-.
ter his house unobserved; he shut him.
self in the library and began prepars
tons. With what Joy he examined his
purchases. Mary always said he could
cut bread for toast better than anyone
else, and his hand trembled with con-
scious pride as he cut two even slices.
Then he put the kettle-for he had
bought kettle too-on to boil. How
busy he was, how happy, how important!
He sat down before the red Goals to
make the toast, holding it at exactly the
right distance, SO that it would brown
without burning.
He almost fancied himself back in the
old home; he could see the dresser COW
cred with blue plates and dishes. the
white-washed walls gay with pictures.
the wide 0ld-iashioned fireplace, on one
side of which sat Mary, rocking cradle.
A sob choked in his throat; If the baby
had only lived wealth would have been
of some use. the money that he did not
care about for himself would have been
joy and delight to spend on his son.
His eyes travelled to the window; he did
IA
dreary London street beyond, but over
row of pink geraniums in scarlet pots.
he saw through diamond-shaped panes
cottage garden bright with flowers; the
singing Of birds rose above the roar OF
the traffic
A strong smell of burning brought him
back to the present. The toast was on
fire. He took another slice and devoted
all his thoughts to it. When it was
cooked to perfection, he buttered 1t and
put 1t down in the fender to keep hot.
Now the kettle was singing loudly; he
heated the pot. put in generous supply
Of tea and was just about to pour the
water over 1t. when the door opened.
With guilty start he looked, expect
ing to see Perkins. However, it was The
doctor who stood there, and, before he
had time to speak, John Martin, In .
burst Of confidence which surprised him.
self. explained matters to him. And the
doctor, who, under all professional dig
nifty. was the most tender-hearted Of
men, understood. He saw the pathetic
side, he comprehended the longing to do
something for the loved one. the fnabil
ity imposed by wealth, the perhaps
ludicrous but thoughtful way which love
had found out And there was no trace
of amusement in voice or face as he ex-
planned that he had called again, as
promised, to see the patient.
she is very much better" he con-
tinued, "and am sure she would enjoy
the tea you have made for her far more
than anything else she could have.
will tell the nurse you are going to have
tea upstairs with Mrs. Martin this after
noon"
The doctor was certainly friend
worth having; how much he explained
to the nurse is not known, but she was
not visible when John proudly carried
the tray upstairs, and 1t may have also
been owing to the Doctors maneuvering
that Perkins did not appear. And when
John Martin was safely settled by his
wife's bedside with little table before
him and tea, his tea, upon it, the doctor
said good-by and went AS he closed the
door behind him he heard Mrs. Martin
say, in tones of enjoyment: why, John
dear, what lovely tea! Where did you
get It? 1t has some taste in it, not like |
that pale-colored stuff Mrs. Humphrey |
always orders"
And he heard the old mans proud re-
ply: Il bought 1t myself, Mary, one shil- !
ling and sixpence pound. "A Powerful |
Blend, syrupy and full favored was on
the label. 1t Is good, and the toast. too, |
isn't it, old woman"
The doctor smiled, but his eyes were
very tender-looking. "a Powerful |
Blend" he said to himself&s he shut the
front door behind him; surely love.
added to anything, makes that. -
Pearson's Magazine.