The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-03-13
ON THE TOP FLOOR.

ON THE TOP FLOOR.
There was great commotion in the
work basket; it was a tall, three
storied structure, and the tenants on
the first floor were annoyed by the
constant disturbance above them. The
tenants on the first floor were very
exclusive, being usually bits of fine
white work, or fancy silk, or rare old
lace or embroidery, which had found
its way to the work basket for some
light treatment. They were for the
most part soft and refined, and often
very beautiful, and it hurt them to
hear the noise and contention Of their
less refined neighbors. But on this
special occasion they actually shiv-
cred and pressed close together in
their terror. The second floor was
bad enough; it was used entirely for
stockings, who were quite inoffensive,
and though they were very much out
at the heel, they had evidently seen
better days. But the top floor, and
the exclusive ones below shuddered
at the strange noises which f1oated
down to them.
On this special occasion it was en-
tirely the thimble's fault. She held
a little girl by the hand, and was
guiding one fat finger across seam,
when she made fatal slip, and the
needle held by the other fingers
pricked the soft white skin till the
blood came. This was not ALL that
one tiny drop of blood fell upon one
of the tenants of the first floor The
thimble saw it, but went on with the
little girl to the end of the seam as if
nothing had happened. When she
was safely at home, however, on the
top floor, she got very angry.
Il don't see," she said, turning to
the emery bag, "why it is you make
your needles so slippery; that was the
cause of all the trouble. We will
hear from the tenants on the first
floor; they are always complaining,
and though I pretended to take no
notice, that drop Of blood fell on a
piece of white satin, and poor little
Elsie, I'm afraid, will be blamed for
it,"
Serve her right" snapped the
emery bag, red with wrath. Elsie
is never allowed to come here, and
won't be blamed for other peoples
faults. l can't help being thorough; ;
give me a needle, and I'm bound to
polish it."
"All the same" said the thimble,
who was always trying to push things.
But the big scissors cut her short.
whats the use of an argument? :?
The things done, isn't it?'
Il think" said a plum piece of
French chalk, that l might venture
below and offer some assistance to
Mrs. White Satin"
THAT spot will have to come out, :"
said the scissors sharply.
''All the same - persisted the
thimble
Look here" said the emery bag,
"you might just as well fix the blame
on that little fat cushion over there
That's where Elsie found the needle,
if you must know"
"Indeed!" exclaimed the thimble,
"Ill have it out with him at once, y"
and he went over to where the inno-
cent looking cushion was quietly re-
posing. She gave him smart rap
on the head-the thimble was always
giving smart raps-but the cushion
took no notice. The thimble thumped
and thumped, but it made no differ
ence. The scene grew interesting;
the emery bag rolled over to see the
fun and SO did the darning egg; even
the tape measure edged nearer inch
by inch. Finally a crowd collected
while the thimble, getting excited,
thumped harder and harder; still the
fat cushion made no sign. The thin
BILE grew visibly tired, and two or
three balls of darning cotton and
big roll of white tape volunteered
to do little punching while she
rested; so they flung themselves with
some force upon the enemy.
Then suddenly the cushion seemed
to rouse himself, for the attacking
party retreated with groans and cries.
"Oh, oh, OH" exclaimed the balls
of darnins cotton, as they pulled
several sharp needles from their
sides. The cushion is carrying con-
cealed weapons; he must be arrested
at once"
Put him out, put him OUT" called
the thimbIe; mes not fit to live
among us, and they all made rush
toward the fat cushion.
But at this moment all the tenants
received shock; the three storicd
structure was caught up with no
gentle hand and moved to the other
side of the room.
There now" said voice, there's
work fer &n hour at least. The top
OF my work basket is in terrible con-
fIsiCs; straighten it out ii your
finest style, Elsie, and when Il is in
order Ill give you little box to hold
all the needles yea can squeeze out
of the far cushion; you have no idea
how many are hidden away there"
"Tla,1 fix him, &aid the thimbl2
t mphantiE.
rdeed ii will" echoed the en-
cry bag.