The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-04-15

! mere Ism ncatef, pfcIIlef mouse
all the way from the four corners
school to the village" said the girl.
"Your garden, too, always looks so
we'll kept. 1t must yield you good
deal besides, doesn't it?''
"Y es, but it would do lot better if
Melanctbon would only put things in
at the right time of the moon. But
he'll never pay any attention to me
about that Twas all his fault that |
saw the neon through glass last night.
He seems to love to plague me. Say,
Miss Bridgeford, do you sweeten your
tea before you put in the milk?'
IL never drink it, she replied,
laughing, and wondering at the irrele-
want question.
"Well, in case you ever should begin,
I'll tell you always to put in the sugar
first, or you'll be crossed in love. I'm
worried about that name Bascombe,
you see. Now, don't look so unbe-
lieving, for could tell you lot Of
cases. There was Miss Springer,
Who But here's Melancthon coming
from the postoffice. Seemed like l
couldn't wait any longer to know what
that bad news was, and since nobody
had come to tell it, it must be in a let
ter. made him 60 earlier'n usual so
l could have it over with."'
The old man greeted Miss Bridge
ford cordially, hung his hat on its ac-
customed hook, and prepared leisurely
fashion to read the newspaper. His
wife watched him a moment anxiously
then asked:
"Was that all the mail?'
cob, no; bless me, no! Here's a
letter from Annie" and he fumbled in
several pockets.
Glancing at Miss Brdgeford,his eyes
twinkling merrily. he said: "Mother
thinks there's trouble coming She
says her signs never fail, and she's got
some sign for this, though I've forgot
ten what. If worried as much as
she does, my bair would be whittier
than it is now," and be shook the snowy
lock that surrounded his rosy face like
a nimbus. "She's broke dish this
morning, and she said, Now I've got
to break three before I'm through
So l said, Why not break the other
two right off? and | went and got two
old plates and told her to smash them,
and she wouldn't. Don't you think,
Miss Bridgetcrd, that would be great
deal wiser than to spoil two good ones?"
But his wife was too intent on the let
ter to heed his banter.
"Why, you've opened it!' she ex-
claimed, as he gave it to her.
"Of course 1t was addressed to
me- he replied with mock dignity.
ooh, dear, l dread to read it, there
was such lot of muddy water in my
dream, and you made me look at the
new moon through glass, and l sneezed
twice before got up. Is Annie sick
or has she lost her SCHOOL," she whim-
pcred.
do read it, Mrs. Perkins," said
| Miss Bridgeford, seeing that Mr.. Per-
kins did not intend enlightening her,
and sorry to witness such waste OF
nervous energy.
She scanned the lines and drew a
long breath of relief "Isn't this splen-
did? Just listen. Annie's been pre-
noted to the principalship-a great
honor-better salary-and she's going
to send us two hundred dollars year
now!'
Rising to take leave with kind con
gratulations, The girl looked at Mr..
Perkins, expecting some dsdainful
reference had taught him better. He
knew only too we'll that these refuta-
tions of their efficacy would speedily
fade from his wife's memory, anil be
entirely gone by the time the next
ones came.
Mrs Perkins chattered on as she
followed her caller out to the steps.
I'm very proud Of Annie, Miss
Bridg geford. This is her third promo
ton. In all her years of teaching she
has never bad a bit Of fault found with
her work by the superintendent and
never lost day by sickness
Then the force of lifelong custom
made her suddenly remember the un-
known malignant powers that she be-
levrd must be warded off after asser-
tions of good fortune, and exclaimed:
There, I'm boasting!' she quickly
stretched her little wthered hand up
to the door frame and wrapped three
times on wood.-4dele Barney Wilson,
m Youths Companion.
CT toll won y cold tho mon with fho