Putnam patriot., 1912-10-04


 "Yes. I am"
 Her grimness disappeared and she smiled.
 "In have your supper ready for you." she said. "Bring back & good ap- petite"
 As matter of fact, the minister's calls were in the nature of a eompro- mise. although an unintentional one. He dropped in on zebedee Mayo. own. CT of the big house on the slope of the hill Captain Feb took him up into what he called his "cupoler," the ob- servatory on the top of the house. and showed him Trumet spread out like a map Ellery decided that he should like Captain Feb, although 1t was evi- dent that the old whaler had decided opinions of his own which he did not hesitate to express. He judged that the M4yos were of the so-called aris- tocracy. but undoubtedly unique speci. mems. He visited four more house holds that afternoon. The last call was at Mrs. Thankful Paynes, and while there. listening to the wonderful "poem," he saw Miss Van Horne pass the window. He came home 10 a Cape Cod supper of scalloped clans, hot biscuits, and baked Indian pudding, and Keziah greeted him with a cheery smile which made him feel that it was home His summary disposal of the "chart" had evidently raised him in his housekeeper's estimation. She did not ask a single question as to where he had been.
 Next day he had taste of Tru- nets real aristocraey, the genuine ar tiele. Captain Elkanah Daniels and his daughter made their first formal call. The captain was majestic in high hat, fur-collared cape. tailed coat. and carrying a gold-headed cane. Miss Annabel wore her newest gown and bonnet and rustled as she walked. They entered the sitting room and the lady glanced superciliously about the apartment.
 'Hum-ha!" parked Captain Elka. nah "Ahem! Mir. Ellery. I trust you're being made comfortable. The parish committee are-hum-ah-- anxious that you should be. Yes?"
 The minister said that he was very comfortable indeed,
 Ut isn't what you've been used to, we know" observed Miss Annabel. "Mr Langley, our former pastor. was a sweet old gentleman, but he was old-fashioned and his tastes were queer. especially in art Have you noticed that fruit piece in the dining room? Isn't it too ridiculous?"
 Then she changed the subject to church and parish affairs. They spoke of the sewing circle and the reading society and the Friday-evening meet ings.
 The Come-Outers are so vexed with us," Uttered Miss Annabel. that they won't even hold prayer meetings on the same night as ours. They have theirs on Thursday nights and it's as good as 8 play to hear them shout and sing and carry on. You'll enjoy the Come-Outers. Mir. ElIery. They're . perfect delight"
 And as they rose to go Captain El kanah asked:
 .1s there anything you'd like done about the parsonage, MT. Elleryf IT so, 1t shall be done immejitly. How are you satisfied with your house. keeper?"
 Very well, indeed, Captain Dan- iels." was the prompt reply.
 She's a character, isn't she?" gig gled Annabel She was born here in Trumet, but went away to New Bed ford when she was young and grew up there. Her maiden name was Hall. but while she was away she married man named Ansel Coffin. They didn't live together very long and weren't happy, l guess. I don't know whose fault it was, nobody knows much of anything about It, for that's the one thing she won't talk about. Anyhow, the Coffin man was lost at sea, and after while she came back to keep house for her brother Solo mon. She's an awful odd stick, but she's a good cook, l bel eve; though I'm afraid you won't get the meals people such as ourselves, who'ye been so much in the city, are used to-"
 Ellery thought of the meals at his city boarding house and shuddered. He was an orphan and had boarded for years. Incidentally, he had worked his way through college. Captain El- kanah cleared his throat.
 "Keziah," he commanded. Hum hal Keziah, come in here minute"
 Keziah came in response to the call. her sewing in her hand. The renova- tion of the parsonage had so far pro- gressed that she could now find time for a little sewing, after the dinner dishes were done.
 'Keziah," said the captain pompous- ly, i've expect you to look out for MT Ellery in every respect. The parish committee expects that-yes."
 '11l try" said Mrs. Coffin shortly.
 Gro Be Continued)