The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-10-18
ntly. Here's the vIctuals. They can

emily. Here's the victuals. They can
help themselves shan't be here"
Without a word Hosea returned to
the sitting room. he wound the clock
with his usual care. locked the walnut
secretary where he was wont to sit
and figure his accounts on Saturday
nights, pumped pail of fresh water.
thrust the cat out of doors and, with
brief good night to Ann. tramped up
stairs to bed
Ann sat with her eyes fixed on tho
newspaper. but she did not read. Her
heart was palpitating wildly, and an
unusual color flickered in her cheeks
She hated the very thought of the wo.
mans club. and the parade on Mon
day afternoon made her sick at heart
What she really wanted was her hus-
bands recognition Of her rights as a
toiler to an occasional holiday.
AIMS anger returned as she remem-
bered the hungry horde of Perkinses.
Frank Perkins always made point Of
limiting that he expected boiled din
ner at Hosea Merwin's.
phoebe Perkins can stay home and
cook her own boiled dinner" splut-
tered Ann as she went to bed, too
agitated to remember a Bible lesson
unlearned for the morrow
Sunday was dreary day indeed. To
begin with. it rained heavily all the
morning. In the afternoon clouds how
cred threateningly close until sunset
In the evening Jacob Lane came and
begged the next day off. Gosh
burned If didn't forgit 1t was a holt
day." he explained iii come and git
the chores done up at daylight. and
then I'll be of to the flremen's picnic.
Seems like asked Miss Cheddie Be-
mis- to go, and forgot all about it till
she reminded me of it."
go along" grunted Hosea norose-
~, turning back into the house.
Seems as If the hull town was pos
sessed over Labor day-horse trots.
picnics. winners rights and what
not! Every day is Labor day for me-"
After dusk Hosea left the house and
wac SOAC iOA al nOuI w uCu uo to
turned there was spring to his step
and return of the genial light in his
eyes.
II shall be up pretty early tomorrow
morning. Ann" he said soberly. "If
you'd like to drive over to Riverside
l can take you If you'n be ready about
Z o. clock"
''Tll be ready" said Ann, conceal
ing her surprise under a stiff de-
meanor. Il can wait at Cousin Henry's
till it's time to go to Mrs. Plympton's."
very we'll" Hosea performed his
evening chores and went to bed.
When she awoke at 6 o'clock there
was the smell of boiling coffee and
frying ham. 1t was evident that
Hosea was exerting his knowledge Of
cookery and preparing breakfast for
her. He had done this often In the
first years of their married life, but
lately he had seemed to overlook all
those little attentions that had made
her labor light and sweet even at the
close of wearisome day.
Ann hurried into fresh lawn dress
and took time to fluff her grayish
brown hair into becoming halo about
her delicate face. When she went
downstairs there were many evidences
that Hosea had been astir for some
time
Black Bessy. hitched to the covered
buggy. stood before the side door. and
Hosea was in the act of placing break
fast on the table.
Heard you stepping around" he
said. Better set down, SOS we can
get of by T."
ut smells real good" said Ann some
what dejectedly. Somehow l don't
feel hungry this morning. I'd like q
cup of coffee"
Rather silently they ate the meal and
together cleared it away. Ann permit
ted Hosea to carry the food into the
pantry. She did not want to see the
shelves, for she guiltily knew that. al
though she had prepared generously
Tor Hosea and herself. there was not
enough for one good square meal for
the hungry crowd that would descend
upon Hosea that day
Frank Perkins II be expecting
boiled dinner, Hosea," she said tenta-
lively.
"Let him expect" returned Hosea