Middletown transcript., 1910-08-13
By EMMA BRoWELL READE

Jack, entering the kitchen with
q shake Of his ample shoulders
; which sent the raindrops spatter'
ing over Mrs. Polly, washing
dishes at the sink.
What! exclaimed Polly ineredu'
ously.
Jack made a megaphone of his
hands.
Notwithstanding
down, he shouted with pains
taking emphasis.
I heard you, snapped Polly.
Mercy on us I'm not deaf The
bridge down, and the butcher
hasn't come don't believe it,
Who told you :
Jack grimaced.
Everyone / met, he answered,
until / lodged up Bauer's alley
wet as q frog in a freshet. Hall
the town is down upon the bank
and the other half on the way.
They say the river is two feet
above high water mark and ris-
ing. Albright and I were talk
ing when Morey's driver came
along; his face was like chalk
under the coal dust. 1t
seems he had barely crossed, and
Perkins on his meat wagon was
about three feet from the ap-
proach, when the thing trembled
and swayed, and over it went
Lucky stretch for Perkins
those three feet.
Luckier for as if he had been
three feet upon this side, replied
Mrs. Polly dOlefully. How soon
can they fix it? Is there any
other way for him to get over {!
] cannot tell my child, replied
Jack sirily as to the bridge. But
Perkins viii probably be along
in q day or two with the leathery
old meat, if he has to float it
down upon 8 raft. Perky'll not
allow q triAing ebullition Of the
elements to keep him from rak.
ing in the shekels; you may bank
on that. Meanwhile let us test
the Wanted advantage of veg
etarian diet upon our health and
pocket-book.
You forget Rob and Nellie,
reminded Mrs. Polly.
Jack whistled. So / did he
answered, so ! did! No wonder
though; always spOoning in a
corner where a fellow can't see
them. Well, all / can say at this
trying juncture is that they have
chosen q mighty incOnvenient
date for honeymoon trip to our
modest suburb.
Perhaps, upon the whole, it is
fortunate that it is their honey
moon, remarked Polly reflective
ly, they are less apt to notice
what they eat. They haven't
appeared to, SO far.
That's q fact, assented Jack.
If Rob is as oblivious of nun.
dane affairs as I was during that |
blissful period, and he seems to
be, he'll not know turkey from |
spare-rib. I wouldn't now, he
continued, coming very close to
Polly, excepting for the bills.
Polly smiled happily, and ad-
justed her hair. Somehow it
could not be kept in order when
Jack was about.
# pork prices continue to soar
you viii soon lose even that dis
tinction, she replied. Jack i'm.
pressively, let's keep pig.
Let's! agreed Jack cordially.
Next year, Polly darling.
They looked at one another
and laughed. How much Of de.
velopn ent they had planned for
this first year in their suburban
home, only to find that Rome
was not built in q day, and hope.
fully TO postpone so much Of the
desired good until next year that
Jack opined q century would be
needed for the fultillment of
their plans.
The question before the house,
however, resumed Jack, concerns
NOT pigs, but food for turtle
doves. What have you in your
store house, my Polly, as sub.
stitute for the wares ct the
butcher.
Polly reflected.
I think there is O can Of sal.
mon, she said, yes, and 9 box
Of sardines. Then -tentativelY |
=. there are eggs Mm-m, mum.
bled Jack smbiguously. And
and, with o sidewise glance,
chickens
What interrupted Jack explo.
sively, kin my Rhode Island Reds
for Rob and Nell /! Well think
not. Nor for the President and |
his Cabinet when they happen to