Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-14
EXBY A. L I c E
II r. q A. N r. \ G. T.

through. but IL his mouth smiled his ewes heiicd
1t, for more pathetic pair Of appealing eyes we're
never raised to an irato master. He stood now
humbled and disheveled, guilty 40 the children
at being caught III mischief.
Pretty COINS on" shifted Mrs. Nkittles to the
ceiling. Here be- hustn' round from sun up
to the steamboat WHISTLE an you emery children
std of bein' down yonder strppin terbaccer, a
fooltn round here Clear ont everyone OF you 'cept
jimmie; she ken stay and clean up this here pgsy."
Whereupon. slowly directing her search,ight from
the ceiling to Mr.. Skittles, she pointed with long
and rigid finger to the unmade bed. to the soed
dishes In tho corner. coming an awful and &C.
cusing halt at Mr.. skittess stocking feet Then.
with snort of indignation she backed herself out
Of the doorway, the children scattering before her
like leaves before whirlwind.
Mr. Skittles left alone with the plump jimmie,
cautiously closed the door, and sank dcjeccdly in.
to the plush rocker. Each fresh reprimand from
Mrs. Sixties added to his burden Of contrton for,
remiss as he had been in other duties. he had
er faltered in loyal allegiance to his leader.
jimmie let herself down from the table and, going
to him. put her arms about his neck. Don't you
care, she said reckessly; Il love you heap better
than do nav.
This blasphemy reused Mr. Sixties to protest:
"Oh no sou don't, jimmie; yer maws a wonderful
woman. l never was good enough fer her. her fam.
bly, all said SO when we was married. She descrv'
10 d
81 love you best" insisted jimmie, hugging his
head to her breast.
He patted her cheek tenderly and drew her down
in the chair beside him. She snuggled up close
and holding tight to his hand, tried to direct his
thoughts to a more pleasant subject.
"Aint YOU got any secrets to tell me today?" she
asked slyy.
Mr.. Skittles's face underwent transformation.
The look of detection gave way to one Of sudden
We'll ef amt clean forgot to tell you!" he
exclaimed
Jinne capped her hands in delight. "Cross my
heart and body make big ring and q spot in the
middle won't tell"
We'll" said Mr.. skittes, peering anxously
around the side of the chair to see that the door
was secure, and sinking his voice to whisper. I'm
making a invesm
rs it melojeon Pa?"
mo-" said Mr.. skittes, pursuing up his lips with
some show Of Importance, Il can't say it's melo-
jeon, jimmie. ! Arranging between a melo-
jeon an writin deXt. as you know. But this here
is a new offer; it's patent an combination"
What is IT," demanded jimmie mpatiently.
WELL" drawled Mr.. Sixties. gaining time and
courage its usefuller article than meojeon it
kin be used in the field and in the house. to fetch
and carry in the day time and to set at night"
Mr. Sixties counted off these attractions on jim
MES fat fingers.
"A bucket" asked jimmie increduously.
mo, madam" said Mr. Skittes: 'it's a guarantee
patent easy-cbeer an wheelbarrer"
Jinne's face fell 20 Pa. why didn't you stick to
the meloeon? You don't need no wheelbarrcw."
"Bnt the easycheer, jimmie! 1t sorter folds up
inside itself an looks jes like natural cheer, then
you turn peg an the rus thing you Know TIERS
patent wheelberrer, easy runnin'. light feath
err an strong as-as--ennything.'
where's 1t att"
Mr. Sixties again surveyed the closed door and
winked significantly at the woodshed.
jimmie silent a moment. wrestling with a new
thought Say Pa" she asked have you got
Mr.. Skittles's face fell. well no, amt quite"
ne confessed, but that's with another company 1t
amt the game thing at all; this here is new con-
Germ, twenty cents week TIL You pey up
"Wil they take II from like they did
them picture-booEs?
"Oh, no. This here is good. honest, concern.
The agent said So"
This doubt being removed, Iiune began 10 take
lively interest in the wheebarrow, and Mr. Skit.
tles. encouraged by her sympathy, drew largely
upon his imagination in recountng the marvellous
possibilities Of his new Investment. When the din.
ner bell sounded from the other cabin, jimmie rose
reluctantly -" 'spect you better spread up bed.
an empty out yer wash PAN" she advised its
awful mussy in here"
That's right" said Mr. Skttcs approvingly; "rn
jes' do that very thing Jinnie!" he called, as shc
started "thc fus time you and Bud git a chance
you slip around to ths woodshed an take peek
at It,"
Mca.~he. Mrs Sixties having with great dis
patch cleaned and brushed and fed each little ski
ties, ordered them into the corner OF the kitchen
with positive instructions that they were not to
come beyond certain crack in the floor. There
was an air OF unusual importance about Mrs Skit'
ties this afternoon. She marched hack and forth
to the pantry, measuring -four and lard and making
frequent references to a much-thumbed cookbook.
Only did the group in the corner venture
an inquiry: "Is Il going to be punkin or apple
Maw?"
81 amt a.sayin'" said Mrs. Sixties loftily; ut
did bring pie luck to talk about II before
hand" She rolled the dough with a firm hand.
pinching It and spanking 1t with the skill OF enc
pracced in those arts.
~ know" whispered Eddie 10; ''ts sweet pertat'
err"
Mrs. skittles kneaded and measured and stirred
IN absorbed silence "Rhoda Ray" she presently
demanded "reach me that there allspice on the
corner of the shelf. The this way
RhOda Ray, glad be ordered the OF
action. looked on while her mother literally sprin'
killed. the contents through the mixture.
"Yours took the blue ribbon at the pie social
last year didn't Il. Maw?" she asked In q concil
atory tone.
an AAA> a. ~