The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-01-02
TAB1THAs FALL FROM THE HEIGHTS.

sometimes you think l don't know
anything" observed Peter, in tone
of rueful impatience, as he stood just
inside the kitchen door. His hand
held it sufficiently ajar to admit a
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. cat certain periods, Pete, I
have discerned faint glimmerin's of
intelligence under that shock of tow
coverin' what in most folks is consid-
cred a brain cavity, but not often
not often. Boo! What's open?"
She wheeled her plump figure with
an emphatic movement and transfxed
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 Bunfeld Gazette was her princi-
pal source of material and, coming
regularly once week, supplied an
effective course of general informa-
ton.
In this sheet of wisdom Tabitha
delved for words of ambitious length.
These nuggets, after proper mental
assimilation, were applied to Peter as
test. If he endured them without
wincing and with some degree of
comprehension Miss Groot felt secure
in broader paths. Peter had served
time at the district school in the
heyday of early youth and was there
fore a fit subject. Being consumed
with admiration for Tabitha's quail
ties, physical as we'll as mental, he
was also willing one.
Now he stood with ready finger
on the door latch, for Miss Groot
could propel dough balls unerringly
when aroused, and eyed her with an
expression of sheepish pacifcation.
"Come in or go out r. cried Tabi-
tha in high wrath, forgetting her
scholarship. Herein 1, all het up
workin', an you tryin' to fix con-
sumption on to me. Shet that door
one way or t'other."
"It's worth while gettin you mad
to have you talk like a human bein', "
grinned the culprit, with horrible
absence of tact. "My head aches yet
from the dose you gin me last night.
Folks will be latin at you first, you
know. Fact is, pa an ma does now
behind your back, an, while I be-
lieves in eddication, havin' had some
myself, you're slingin too many long
words for a hired gal, if you are the
purtiest woman in Pa'tridge 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 unintentiona1 insult and
Component was cut off by lump of
dough Ntriking him squarely in the
mouth. He darted out, sputtering.
Tabitha ragged across the room and
shot the bolt, her round countenance
flaming. Then she bit hard on her
rosy under lip and sat down to recov-
er, precept of learning being an at
tempt at philosophic calm under try
ing circumstances.
Lets see," she runinated. 60
slow now, Tab. Think. Pete's
edgin' up toto matrimonial over
toors-that's right-correct, mean.
You're assistin' his ma in household
duties an just as good as he is-hired
gal that was mean. The flesh is
willin', but the spirit is weakenin' :.
swan-that is, I utterly swear
that l won't give such fool another
thought. Twill be mistake. My
ideas is more elevated, an I'll rise
with 'em. Oh, ginger, my bread !"
Miss Groot sighed as culinary op-
erations were resumed. "The farm
will come to Peter in the ordinary
course of events" she reflected sor-
rowfully. "It's good one, an his
pas failin' 4; but no an edited mind
has higher aspirations than COWS an
pigs, an I'll be at the head of wo-
mans college if I keep on. I amt
only nineteen an impressive of bear
in, if I 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, !
guess"
This modest view of the future ex-
a1ted Tabitha's spirit as she showed
her 1oaves into the oven.
"Pshaw ~ she exclaimed, striking
an attitude. Laugh at me, will
they? I'll start the laugh t'othel
way an do it today. Hitch your