The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-02-15

Some u is always sending some
thing nice to some one else. 1t is not
obligatory to return such favors in
kind; one has only to be grateful at
expressing thanks.
Mrs. Hart, the wife of our minister,
raj an especially gifted thanker; she
could pump up more gratitude from
a heart chilled by votiye ices than any
mortal in Villville. Mrs. Hart was
correspondingly popular, and every
good thing came her way sooner or
later. If she felt that she ought to
r%eciprocate by sending nice things in
return, she had ample excuse for her
remissness; she so seldom had any
thing nice excepting that which had
been sent to her! She had plenty of
that, however.
Every rose has its thorn, though
(this sentiment is not Originally, and.
nothing but heaven itself can be
so good that more than enough of it
is not too much. There came a time
when Mrs. Hart ceased to rave yer
Xillville.
Strawberries we're in, and the Harris
ss@aa straw Ferries Tor Tea. II was
about all they did have, but no matter
there we're berries enough. Each
member Of the family had a generous
share--no niggardly %saucerful, but a
plateful-and cunning little cakes to
go with them. (The cakes were
bought) Mrs. Hart heaped the four
plates high and poured on the sugar
and cream with a lavish hand. I'VE
will live on berries she said. 'They
cos so little and are no trouble to
serve
The others said Amen" but not
aloud. Mr.. Hart as a minister would
not have permitted that. What they
actually did say was; ooh, iolly!'
"Let'st" and Il sanction the mo
ton"
After tea they adjourned to the side
porch to enjoy the sunset.
1T would be an unpropitious time
to be sent sweets said Mrs. Hart
Though I should not mind nice Lo.
rolls. Berries alone seem to me {
rather unsatisfactory diet"
Villville housekeepers usually havt
their best desserts for tea, perhaps be
cause the men work up town ant
do not get home for the noon meal.
and desserts lend themselves grace
fully to the Villyille habit of n~eighbor
ly exchange. About dusk Mrs. Har
was used to seeing servants and chill
dren, even white-aproned housewife.
themselves, fitting about with tray
of toothsome dainties.
Yes" assented her husband
Strawberries seem actually to grow
after one has eaten them; | begin t.
feel all the sensations Of a strawberr,
patch in the region of my diaphragm
What did you give me so many for?
He rose and began to promenade u,
and down the piazza.
Il couldn't eat another berry to saw
me-" Mrs. Hart declared. us a plate
full such a lot Of strawberrie s2-yo
know We had to eat something"
Il sho' would buck at another plate
full said Toms. Toms was the co
lege boy now at the slangiest period.
"Sonl' his father said %reprovingl!
"Well, it would be buck or bus
one Toms insisted.
Just then the doorbell rang. It wa
Miss Lee, from two doors below, an
she carried a large dish piled hig
with the most beautiful fr~uit-ice-
Strawberries. q remembered 70
and made an extra amount she sail
You are very good" Mrs. Hart gu.
gled, 1T is just lovely in you {
bring it. Thank you so much. lord
| hope she won't wait for the dish.
Come in, won't your
: But Miss Lee said "No, thank you,
and hurried home.
Mrs. Hart turned to her family, usl
ally so happy to assist in disposing (
these fruits of her popularity, an
babe them partake Of the treat. 1T
far too nice to be wasted she sal
ruefully. We will have to eat 1t
They rallied to her support, bl
feebly and with glum faces. Whe
they had done their best there VIZ
still a great luscious lump Of the il
left,
"Ill finish it, Mrs. Hart said, an
went to the kitchen. 1t sounded as
she emptied something into the sin.
but she said that was slander-th
she was only washing the dish.
A boy banged at the back door, ca
ing: Miss Hart Mis- Lyons hi
sent you some ice cream Hit
extry fine; she say taste it,
Taste IT. There was d full ha'
gallon Of it-strawberry at that.
Strangling a gasp Of dismay Mr.
Hart said "Oh. thank her SO muel
I'm sure it is delicious. We haver
begun to make cream yet-had o.
first few berries tonight. III 60 al
call the others"
She called. Then she scolded, be
ged and reproached. But Mr., Ha
said he had strawberry dyspepsia
ready. and Toms declared; "1ll ha'
herrvphohia at the sight OF IT.