Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-09-09
THE SOFAS STORY.

Tor was grumbling. II shall have to
do something" he muttered; II really
cannot stand this sort of thing"
What are you growing about?"
asked the Sofa. you must wait until
you're as old as I am. When you've
been covered three times, and your
springs are broken (you may think
yourself lucky IL one OF your hind legs
is not replaced by a nasty, sharp
sugar box), then you may have some
thing to creak about"
Haven't l now?" the New Armchair
went on. He was very angry indeed.
How would you like to be me, to
have your arms sprained in this I'm.
feeling way? Last night they both
sat In me. My poor arms were al
most torn out of my back. l don't
mind the weight, although I wasn't
made to bear two human beings, but
do object when they sit down on me
side by side, and force out my poor
arms. Pm sure the right one Is dis
located. l did my best to crush them,
but 1t was no good. Next time the gas
10 Iul uOu QOWu lOW anu Tic oliiy
things come in again, shall give way
altogether. l know I shall. It's too
much"
WELL" said the ancient Sofa, sur.
veying his own ample proportions
with pardonable pride, II wouldn't get
so straight in the back over it. But
I really think it's your own fault for
not being broader. You know"-and
he said this very gently-"you know
you're not very comfortable"
81 can't help that, can u" snapped
the New Armchair.
"No, indeed you can't" the Sofa re-
sponded, calmly. This new-fashioned
furniture is only made to be looked
at. Besides, you know, no armchair
IS ever really cozy and comfortable
until it's old and shabby"
well, I shall soon be that" sulked
the New Armchair. IF this sort Of
thing goes on, I shall be prematurely
old and broken"
That comes of being veneered,'
said the cheerful Sofa. you've nc
soldity."
The clock licked loudly in the
silence.
IF you know all about it," the Sofa
about few aches and pains. Youd
feel pleased that things were brighter
I've been here longer than you, ant
the things I've seen have made my
old springs fiutter. I've seen lot o.
this business in my time, and I know
thing or two about it."
81 don't know what you mean" sale
the New Armchair, "but l believe
there's a screw loose in my front cas-
tor"
We'll" returned the ancient Sofa
'you have lot to learn. 1t was be
fore your time when he first begaI
to come. You weren't bought till ate
he bought her that ring she wears, 81
I'd better tell you all about it. Then
perhaps, you won't creak and groan
| When he came at first, they both sa
on the ordinary chairs. They talked
in whispers, and the carpet got worl
where he hitched his chair up to hers
After awhile they forsook the chair
and sat on me. How happy the.
were! They didn't find fault with N.
old springs then But one night
and think It's the most miserable
ever had-they fell out and were boil
angry and unreasonable. This wa
two or three days ago, and you wer
strange to the room, SO you couldn'
understand. But you will remembe
how he went out and slammed tn
door,"
81 remember" said the Armchair
peevlshly. ut Jared my springs tel
ribly. I'm so highly strung"
81 suppose you were too much takel
up with your precious springs" re
marked the Sofa, who was warm
hearted and put out at the others ca
lousness, ito see how the poor thin
threw herself on her knees and burie
her face in my threadbare cover. M
pattern Is brighter now where the no
salt tears fell. l nearly forgot our oil
tradition of silence. 1 did so want t
comfort her. Her curly hair was nest
ling on my dusty old coat, and l fel
loved her more than he did. Blu
when he came in again last night an
drew her to him I knew 1t was a.
right. l thought I was to be selecte
for the reconciliation" said the genia
old Sofa, with sigh.
Wish you had BEEN" put in tn
New Armchair.
But was pleased" remarked tn
chintz-covered Sofa, ito see ther
make 1t up. And you needn't grumblt
They're going to be married sooI
They won't sit in me same chai
then"
Thank goodness" said the Me-
Armchair.
"Ah, know all about these things,
concluded the ancient Sofa. tits a
ways the way"