Amador ledger., 1903-12-11
O's'OsOs7|sI|sOSe7OC 1OsOfeI
{ TABITHA'S FALL FROM
( THE HEIGHTS
? BY ELLIOT WALKER
BY ELLIOT WALKER
Copyright. 1908, by 7. @. Mcclure

at seems to me, Tabitha, that some
times you think I don't know any
thing" observed Peter in a tone of
rueful impatience as he stood just in
side the kitchen door. His hand held
it sufficiently ajar to admit draft of
icy air which circulated freezingly
about Miss .Groot's we'll developed
shoulders as she kneaded her dough
in the bread pan with sounding
thumps.
"Observin' man." responded the lady.
"At certain periods, Pete, I have dis
cerned faint glimmerin's of intelli-
gence under that shock of tow coverin'
what in most folks is considered a
brain cavity, but not often-not often.
Boo! What's openr'
She wheeled her plump figure with
an emphatic movement and transfixed
the thoughtless Peter with a glare of
disapproval.
Tabitha was a student, not in the
ordinary sense, but of the rare variety
which assiduously seeks for an en-
largement of knowledge, her special
ambition being the acquisition of Ian
guage. Unhappily, or perhaps other
wise, her opportunities were limited.
The Bunfield Gazette was her princi-
pal source of material and, coming reg
ularly once a week, supplied an effec
tive course of general information.
In this sheet of wisdom Tabitha
delved for words Of ambitious length.
These nuggets after proper mental as
similation were applied to Peter as a
test. If he endured them without
wincing and with some degree of COM
prehension Miss Groot felt secure in
broader paths. Peter had served time
at the district school in the heyday
of early youth and was therefore fit
subject Being consumed with admira-
ton for Tabitha's qualities, physical as
well as mental, he was also a willing
one.
Now he stood with a ready finger
on the door latch, for Miss Groot could
propel dough balls unerringly when
aroused, and eyed her with an express
sion of sheepish pacification.
Come in or go outP cried Tabitha
in high wrath, forgetting her scholar
ship. Herein I, all het up workin'
an you tryin' to fix consumption on to
me- Shet that door one way or 10th
err
Its worth while gettin' you mad to
have you talk like a human bein',"
grinned the culprit, with horrible ab-
sence of tact "My head aches yet
from the dose you gin me last night.
Folks will be laf1n' at you first, you
know. Fact is, pa an ma does now
behind your back, an, while believes
in eddication, havin' had some myself,
you're slingin' too many long words
for hired gal, if you are the purtiest
woman in Partridge Corners. L'arn all
you want, Tabitha, but don't shoot
'em around free. You'll hear from it,
| an -
This speech of mingled common
sense and uniRtentional insult and COM
pliment was cut off by lump of dough
striking him squarely in the mouth. He
1arted out, sputtering.
Tabitha ragged across the room and
|
tanning. Then she bit hard on her rosy
under lip and sat down to recover, a
precept of learning being an attempt at
! philosophic calm under trying circum-
| stances.
Lets see" she ruminated. go slow,
now, Tab. Think. Pete's edgin' up to
TO matrimonial overtoors-that's right
| 1 tod; Il; ;a
ma in household duties an just as
good as he is-hired gal!-that was
mean. The flesh is willin', but the
!, spirit is wP:ikcnin'. l swan-that is,
utterly swaar-that l won't give such
Il fool another thought. Twill be a
mistake. My ideas is more elevated.
an I'll rise with 'em. Oh, ginger, my
breadr'
Miss Groot sighed as culinary opera
iions were resumed. "The farm will
come to Peter in the ordinary course
of events she reflected sorrowfully.
It's a good one, an his pas failin';
but no; an cdified mind has higher as
pirations than cows an pigs, an I'll
i be at the head of a woman's college if
keep on. l amt only nineteen an
impressive of bearin', if 1 do say it.
Wonder how I'll look in one of them
gowns with a four cornered hat atop
Of my auburn locks. Imposin' as any
of 'em, 1 guess"
This modest view of the future ex-
alted Tabithas spirit as she showed
her loaves into the oven.
"Pshawr' she exclaimed, striking an
attitude. Laugh at me, will they? I'll
start the laugh t'other way an do II
today. Hitch your wagon to STAR as
Emerson says. He oughter have said
unite or attach but the idea amt
discouragin,' an I'll pitch right in an
| get attention attracted. Then Mis-
Shields can look round for other help.
Maybe they'll want me in their Office
right away"
Poor Peter! During the ensuing ten
days he was frozen with a succession
Of refrigerating snubs and acid re-
| pulses which cast him into the depths
of dependency. Tabitha appeared alb
sorbed in rapt contemplation Of affairs
beyond the mundane. She was silent
yet eXpectant, as one waiting for a
message Of unbounded import. Still he
fingered mournfully about the region
of Miss Groot's performances, with an
eye to lending an assisting hand. il
was not desired. Neither was conver-
sation. Peter visibly dropped.
Then came Thursday evening and
the Bunheld Gazette. Peter welcomed