The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-11-26

lamp was a tangible thing now, with
only ten more soap wrappers standing
between it and the Gadwall's front
parlor
At last one snowy morning in FebrlI-
airy Mrs. Gadwall united the small
package her husband had brought
home the night before and disclosed
the last ten cakes Of soap that she had
asked him to purchase. Gayly she
stripped off the wrappers and once
more counted The tolal number she
possessed lS4 at last!
Half an hour after luncheon she
came into the kitchen dressed for out
doors. Bridget" she announced. I'm
going into town on the 2:O3. You will
look after little Horace when he wakes
from his nap?"
Yes. ma'am.' said Bridget sheerfuIly
as her mistress laid a shifting half
dollar on the kitchen table. Pm
afraid yo1'll be havin' a terrible time
OF 1t. It's fainin' now and freezin' as
it falls"
Il shall probably return with Mr.
Gadwall," said she hastily, "and, oh,
Bridget!'
Eyes, ma'am"
III the charities department wagon
should call for contributions you can
give them all that soap in the cellar"
Yes. ma'am-there'll be 142 cakes,
I'm thinkin'," returned Bridget.
Mrs. Gadwall clutched the bag CON
tanning her soap wrappers and walked
warily to the station. 1t was all up
hill, and she had to tramp in the mid
die OF the snowy road 1t was raining
and freezing as it fell. She told her
self that they would have to take
cab when she and Henry returned that
evening.
But somehow she missed her hus-
band Delayed street traffic made her
late in reaching his office, and he had
departed for home on an earlier train.
so his stenographer said. ION account
OF the storm" the young woman had
added.
Mrs. Gadwall was late in reaching
the premium store Of the soap com
pany, but at last she surrendered her
precious wrappers and received in re-
turn large and snowy lamp with
much art glass In its makeup.
"Shal we send it, madamg inquired
the clerk, but Mrs. Gadwall recollected
that the Colyins were coming over to
play cards that evening, and she want
ed the lamp to display to their admir-
ing and possibly envious eyes.
Il will carry 1t If you will wrap it
carefully" she said. and in spite OF his
protestations against the icy and in
clement weather Mrs. Gadwall set forth
with two huge bundles. one containing
the lamp and the other the precious
"art" glass globe.
She dismounted from the train at
Lawn Villas with several other com
muters, who. laden with bundles, rail- |
ed at the delayed service on the line.
The storm had ceased, stars shone over |
head, but underfoot the walking was
Icy and treacherous.
At different turnings one after an
other Of her fellow travellers left her |
until Mrs. Gadwall had to make her |
way down her own dimly lighted |
street alone. She passed the Colvins |
house and, seeing light in an upper |
room, decided that they were preparing |
for their card game.
The sight caused her to hasten her |
steps. Faster she walked, noting with |
satisfaction that Henry had cleared |
the walks in front of their place and |
wondering why he had not come forth |
to meet her. The lamp and shade were |
fearfully heavy, and her arms ached |
from carrying them. as well as her
clumsy fur muff
She managed to open the gate with |
an elbow and started down the walk |
toward the front door, which few open |
at that instant, disclosing the anxious
face of Mr. Henry GadwalI
"Is that you, Sarah?" he asked
Before Mrs Gadwall could reply her
weary feet struck a bit of Ice and
deposited her in crash
ing heap at the foot Of the front steps.
What is all this?" demanded her
husband after he had picked her up
and assured himself that she was I'M
harmed. "What is all this broken
stuff, Sarah?"
"My-my-my lamp-my-my Bubble
Froth soap Premium sobbed Mrs.
GAdwall on her husbands shoulder