The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-12-03
FORCE OF EXAMPLE.
Somehow, Mrs. Bhnt's Object
Lesson Didn't Work as II
Should Have Done.
BY KEY CAM MACK.

honey" she said crisply to ths an
gular slattern who at last opened the
door, "as you have paid no attention
to the two letters from the Newtown
Village Improvement society, l have
been delegated"
'But, Mrs. Blunt, ma'am-"
'Unfortunately, Mrs. Mahoney, I
know only too well what excuses you
will make p Mrs. Blunts capable,
well-gloved hand commanded silence.
1--WE have had them from host Of
others Please allow me to finish.
Since you have not sufficient pride
in your village to remove this dis
graceful rubbish heap, have been
delegated by the society to remove it
myselfp Her jaw snapped deci-
sively. 'Please don't interrupt. The
officers Of the Improvement society
are determined to prove to ali resi-
dents the sincerity Of their struggle
to regenerate this shameless town.
We
"But, Mrs. Blunt, ma'am," plead
ed Mrs. Mahoney, twisting her apron
distressfully.
Permit mew broke in Mrs
Blunt icily. "Since letters have
failed, we are determined to teach
through example. The upkeep Of
the village should be your pride as
well as mine, Mrs. Mahoney'-her
reproving eye fixed the rusty, three
legged stove and reprobate shoe
drunkenly crowning the conglom-
crate heap-"and l hope, after prov
ing to you that l am not ashamed 10
be seen personally removing this
this eyesore and offense-you will
follow my example"
"But Mrs. Blunt ma'am-my
husband"
at is too late for promises II
your husband had really meant to
do anything, he would have an
swered our letters. I'shall be back
at eleven with a cart, and l hope-I
earnestly hope, Mrs. MahoneyAthat
my example may inspire in you a
little Of that village pride and COM
munity Of interest for which we are
working" With her head superla-
lively high-for, though responsible
for this radical suggestion, she fell
it necessary to counterbalance the ex.
treme humility of its performance
Mrs. Blunt gathered her tailored
skirt about her, and moved in stately
fashion to the street. Every line Of
her retreating figure carried rebuke
to the open-mouthed, tousle-headed
Irishwoman, and babe her refecj
upon the sublimity of the example
about to be set.
Promptly at eleven she returned
more practically clad; behind her {
pipe-sucking Hibernian upon 4
creaking cart Back Of the cottor
lace curtains Of the sacred parlol
Mrs. Mahoney, her red arms glisten.
ing with soapy water, peered curl
ously. Her patiently placatins
mood of the morning was gone, for
turning away, she hugged her rough
ened elbows and laughed. She woulc
have watched longer, but a speedil,
resolved upon expedition, after Mrs
Blunts early call, had put her be
hind with her washing.
Her detection was more thai
made up by the attendance of a small
boy, whose shrill whistle changeC
into a rude "Hi, Tubby, here's
sight fer ye-come on overp t,
which a second juvenile savage re
sponded speedily.
Mrs. Blunt found her awkward
handling Of the unaccustomed spad
the target of jeering criticism TO
which she had not bargained. He
famous eye, promptly focused upol
the offenders, failed to quench. In
stead, they grinned derisively, kicke,
pebbles in unfeigned JOY, spun upol
their calloused heels and snickered
With tightened lips and a fine colo
she applied herself to her wretche,
task, almost wishing that the ladie
of Newtown had continued to pas
its shameful purlieus with averte
eyes. Once the eyes had actual
been turned upon their fauntin
raggedness, action had been impera
tive. For the first time the enthu
siastic supporter Of progress foun
: its yoke heavy!
: Stopping for a moment to wip
her perspiring face, she glance
. toward the smugly curtained hous'
. The example had been in full work
ing order for full twenty minutes
Was Il nnssihln that il could fail