Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-13

Mrs Peevy in a diluted stimulation of pity, as
L in pulptcal voice she declared:
"Of course, Nellie we're sorry for you. But as a
wilder with only your pension to live on you shouldn't
expect to take in the lighter joys of life you
wouldn't think any more about the excursion"
Wen send or bring you picter cards" soothed
the president of the sewing circle.
But Mrs. Bge Pratt, whose booming bass usurped
every situation degned to bother with, spoke
sterny and with less regard for Mrs Peevys depressed
feelings
Nellie, how can you, soldiers wilder, think of
such rinttums Caleb martyr, and you should
feel gloomy pride in denying yourself"
Mrs Peevy, however, often reckless in her despair
and presumng to linger where other members of the
circle would not have the temeriy hesitate half
protested half walled, al don't see why I shouldn't
think of excursions When Caleb died for the Govern
ent he didn't plan that his death should keep from
mild quiet joys He died that we might be free And
now find amt free" And she sighed and could not
see to bite the thread because of the yelling tears
"Melie Peevy," codly demonstrated Mrs. Pratt stiff
fleming her heavy frame in resentment Of such bald
mutiny, how can you talk so! The women of this
circle have planned to go excursion to Sebago
Lake You say you can't afford to go and must stay at
home Then why not make it burden of love and not
be dampness this meeting?"
Mrs Peevy rolled her eyes in vain search for resig
nation and let the sewing slip from her fat fingers
she lamented-" I'll have to stay behind but can't be
jolly about it If l hadn't heard you to change
/ might have bore up better. But, oh, it's hard to
main behind when in my dreams I you
changing cars I've always hankered to go somewheres
and have to change If Caleb Peevy was here now
I'd go fast enough. I know what he'd say; he'd say,
Nellie CO. and the Lawd be with you; and don't stick
YOUR head out the car wnder' There! I'll try and not
say anything more about it But it's hard, peslcy hard
I had to wait twenty years before could have black
silk and mourn for him
grim silence, accentuated by the disapprobatory
pursng of the lips continued for several seconds and
was only broken by Mrs Weeger, she addressed her
neighbor behind confidential palm, and in a clear,
penetrating whisper asked, "We're to meet at the sta
ton at seven, sharp"
Seven, sharp" mumbled the president. And think
we all ought to my house and march down. two
by two We must take to keep together when we
change cars in Portland spose we'll unpacl the bas
kets and eat up in the grove"
"No; by the lake" hoarsely corrected Mrs. Pratt.
Mrs Peevy, whose nervous hands had been twisting
uncertainty as she greedy drank in all these delecabe
details now eagerly obtruded: If eat the lake
we can wash the dishes quicker and have more time
oh, dear I can't make it real that must stay
to home How much the tickets Myra?"
The president sighed in sad irritation, as she in
formed, "Fve told you time and time again, Nellie,
that they're three dollars N sixty cents for the round
trip"
"I declare" whimpered Mrs Peevy searching in futile
haste for her handkerchief 1T seems pesly shame
that the widder of who died for the Government
should be denied the trip jest because of thal Myra,
don't you spose they'd let dead veterans wilder go
cheaper? Seems s if I've read somewheres that the
Government
"No, Nellie; there's no such hope for you" broke in
the rancorous voice of Mrs. Pratt You'd better be
reconcled to stay to home Why couldn't you go up
to the cemetery and then the pine grove and
and meditate?"
Mrs. Peevy's ample bosom heaved tumutuously as
she sought to restrain her emotions but she could not
resist complaining And must go all life without
Citing single sniff of the salt water?"
"1ll bring you pretty shell, Nellie" soothed Mrs
Weeger.
"No, don't" shuddered Mrs Peevy, working her
hands convulsivey. 1t would only make it harder
But if you'd git the enne not to toot or whistle when
leaving the station it might help some"
Mrs Pratt rowned and waved her scissors for silence
as she slowly proclaimed "The enjne will do its duty
For she had no intention OF foregoing any mark OF
triumphant exit Then she continued: But we've met
to-day to make last plans If it is raspng to Nellie,
she can leave Wen wait"
1t would be kinder to yourself, Nellie, to 60, shriy
whispered Mrs. Weeger
No, I'll stay" groaned Mrs. Peevy. Next to being
on that train I'd rather hear the plans talked about But
changing cars and"