St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-01-25

away toward the upper road.
"Got to meet the up train" grumbled
the driver-'not that anybody ever
comes on it, but caPlate I'm s'posed
to be there. Be more talk than lit
tie If want Git dap. Danll You're
slower'n the moral law"
$50 you're goin' to do your own cook
in for a spell. Cy?" observed Asaph
half hour later. 'Well. 1 guess that's
good idea till you can find the right
housekeeper. amt been able to think
Of one that would suit you yet"
''Nor l either. Neither's Bailey, l
judge, though for awhile he was as
full Of suggestions as a pine grove is
of wood ticks. He started to saysome
thin about it to me last night, but Ke-
fury hove in sight and yanked him off
to prayer meetin'."
Eyes, / know. She cal'lates to get
him into heaven somehow"
81 guess 'twouldn't be heaven for her
unless he was around to pick at. There
he comes now. How'd he get out Of
wipin' dishesY
Mr.. Bangs strolled into the yard.
way to Simmons on an errand, and
thought I'd stop in a minute. Got
somethin' to tell you, Whit"
''All right. Overheard with it! 1t
won't keep long this hot weather"
Bailey smiled knowingly. Didn't
hear the up train whistle as l was
comm alongT' he asked. Seems to
me l did Yes! Well. if l amt mis-
taken somebody's comm on that train
somebody for you. Cy Whitaker"
Somebody for me?'
''Um-hum! i can centrally be de-
pended on, carlate. and when you
says to me. Bailey. you get me a
housekeeper.' / didn't lose much time
l got her,"
Mr.. Tidditt gasped
"Got her?' he repeated. "Got who?
Got what? Bailey Bangs, what in the
world have
Delay, Ase." ordered Captain Cy.
Bailey, what are you givin' us?"
"Givin' you a housekeeper and a
good one, too, shouldn't wonder She
may not be one of them $4,000
prize museum Beauties" with a scorn-
full wink at Asaph. but if what /
hears true she can keep house: Any
how she's kept one for forty odd year
Her names Deborah Beasley, she's
widow over to East Trumet, and if
don't miss my guess she's in the depot
wagon now headed in this direction
That's her on the aft thwart. judge
She amt what you'd call a spring pull
let, is she!''
She certainly was not. The occu
pant of the depot wagons rear seat
was thin. not to say scraggy, female,
wearing a black, bef1owered bonnet
and a black gown. A black knit shawl
was draped about her shoulders, and
she wore spectacles.
''Whoaw commanded Mr.. Lumley,
plotting the depot wagon to the side
door of the Whitaker house. Dan1
Webster came to anchor Immediately.
Gabe turned and addressed his pas
senger.
Here we ber' he shouted.
''Hey?" observed the lady in black.
''Here-we-ber' repeated Gabe, rails
ing his voice.
''See? See whatY'
"Oh, heavens to Betsyi I'm gettin'
the Group from howIin.' I-say-bere
-we-be! Get out!'
He accompanied the final below
with an expressive pantomime indi-
eating that the passenger was expect
ed to aHght. She seemed to under
stand, for she opened the door of the
carriage and slowly descended. Mr.
Bangs advanced to meet her.
How dye do, Mrs Beasley ?" he
said. "Glad to see you all safe and
sound"
Mrs. Beasley shook his hand Hers
were covered as far as the knuckles
by black mitts.
'How dye do. Cap'n Whitaker"
she said In a shriIl voice. You pref
ty smart?"
Bailey FASTENED to explain.
81 amt Cap'n Whitaker" he roared.
I'm Bailey Bangs, the one that wrote
to you"
"Hey?"
Mr.. Lumiey and Asaph chuckled
Bailey colored and tried again.
81 amt the cap'nr' he whooped
"Here he is-herep'
He led her over to her prospective
employer and tapped the latter on the
chest
How dye do, sir?' said the house
keeper. 81 don't knows just caught
your name"
In five minutes or so the situation
was mace reasonably clear. Mrs.
Beasley then demanded her trunk and
carpetbag. The grinning Lumley bore
them into the house; then he drove
away, still grinning. Bailey looked
fearfully at Captain Cy.
''She Is kind of hard of hearin'. amt