Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-02

NODoTLS yOuHS uidu Sot SShSiu sion of the brain,' said Aunt Purdie, with great solemnity. He was car rying a dizzen of eggs an a ham when the melancholy accident oc- cured"
 Do ye tell me that?" exclaimed Lizzie. An was the eggs all broke"
 with two exceptions And Aunt rurdie went on to describe the acci-T dent in detail to Lizzie, while John and Macgregor looked out of the win dow, and wee Jeannie, who had been put on the floor to play herself, found amusement in pulling to pieces a half-knitted stocking which she dis covered in a basket under the sofa.
 Soon the little. rosy-cheeked maid entered with the teapot, and they all took their places at table, wee Jeannie being lifted on to her mothers knee, and warned not to touch the knife.
 MT. Robinson" said Aunt Purdie. looking very hard at John, kindly ask a blessing"
 John turned red and mumbled some thing, at the end of which he wiped his brow and loudly blew his nose.
 The hostess, after looking for a mo- ment as if she thought it rather ar inferior blessing" commenced her duties.
 Conversation Jagged for the first five minutes. Then Mrs. Purdie broke the silence.
 Have you been going out much this winter, MT. Robinson?" she in- quired, in her best style. i. For an instant John gaped. "Dod. Mrs. Purdie, I'm glad to say I've not been off my work day since the New Year"
 q mean out to entertainments, par ties and conversonies,' said Mrs. Purdie, with pitying smile.
 'Oh, ay. We'll, Lizzie an me likes the fireside, but we've been to the zoo an the pantymime an two or three parties"
 q like parties" observed Mac. gregor, digging into pot of jam. By a strange mischance he had already dropped two pieces of plain bread and.butter on the floor, but to his credit it must be recorded that he had remembered his mothers injunction not to attempt to recover them.
 Assist yourself to a cookie, MT. Robinson" said Mrs. Purdie. And pass your cup. Mrs. Robinson. is your l tea out?" Thank you" said Lizzie This is real nice cake. Mrs. Purdie.'
 "It was recommended to me by Mrs, McCluny. the doctors wife. Mrs. Mo 1 Cluny is very highly connected, quite autocratic, in fact. Her and me Is great friends. expect to meet her at the Carmunnock conyersonie on Monday night-a very select gath ering. Her and me" l Paw, want a tart ! No, John,' said Lizzie, he's had one"
 l' "I want another, nav. "Ye canna ha'e another, Macgreeeor Weel, Mrs Purdie, ye was sayin
 T was observing
 Paw, gi'e us a curran' n'.cake,' said Macgtegor. in whisper. | John winked at his son, and stealthily moved the dish of dainties in his direction.
 The two ladies were discussing the coming "conversonie," and appeared oblivious to what was going on. The plate came nearer and nearer. and al last Macgregor's eager paw went eau tiously toward it. The currant-cake was secured. but as the boy drew bach his hand his mother detected him.
 "Macgreegor. she exclaimed. The hapless yourgster started guiltily. Over went the jam-pot spreading it's contents on the cloth over went Macgregor's teacup, which was smashed to atoms on the floor Wee Jeannie. with a gurgle of delight evidently under the impression that something in the way of entertain ment was expected of her, tipped hel mug after the cup, while her father rising in confusion. sent plate O five cookies to swell the wreckage.
 John stood helpless; Lizzie sal speechless and pale: wee Jeannie, dis covering that it wasn't joke. aftel all, set up a dismal wailing; and Mac gregor. with quivering lip and misty eye, stared aL the ruin he hat wrought. No one dared to look al Aunt Purdie. Her expression wa. grim-yery grim. When she did speak her words were few but incisive. The, had reference to the bringing up o children. of which. she thanked Provi dence. she had none. Poor Lizzie spologized for her son. and declared that she would spank him wher they got home. The honr following tea was an uncomfortable one, ant John did not conceal his relief at be ing out of the house.
 she'll not ask us again" he ob served.
 Lizzie said nothing.
 "Macgregor's sayin' he's very sorry. said John. presently.
 He'd better" muttered Lizzie. Hes sayin he'll take oil, if y' like" went on her husband.
 Hell get more than oil" -Aw. woman. the boy cudns hell II. t was all an accident Let hin of this time. Lizzie. broke a pIats myself, ye know. an wee Jeannis