Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-10-15
They
Heard
The Result of Idle
Curiosity
BY cLARIssA rfAcKIE

as many curious ears.
"That yon. BONNER" came Jack Pen
dieton's voice.
'Yes, responded Mrs. Pendletoa.
'Tm bringing friend home to din
ner. VIII it be all right. dear?'
''Ye-e-s." Mrs. Pendeton's voice did
sound doubtful. There isn't a thing
to eat In the house, but / can
Never mind. then. Wen dine in
town and come down afterward," said
Jack in a disappointed tone.
IF you don't bring him home" pro
tested Bonnie, I'm never speak to you
again. Jack Pendleton, and
''Hang up along the line there bel
lowed Jack. with sudden intuition that
his performance was interesting his
rural neighbors,
So five receivers We're noiselessiy re-
stored TO their hooks. and FIVE good
housekeepers. pink of face, but with
excited eyes. went back TO their pro
sale duties
The Pendletons concluded their con
versation. aud pretty Bonnie explained
to her adoring husband that she had
not planned anything to eat that day
because, If he would only remember.
he had invited her TO dine In town
with him and go to the theater after
ward. and absentminded Jack ruefutly
acknowledged his guilt
They We're newcomers In Dayville
and fresh from the big city. where
ones neighbors' business is not of the
slightest interest, and they were some
what bewildered by the almost avid
curiosity displayed by their new ac-
quaintances Ia the little village.
So Bonnie worked busily all day long
preparing an appetizing repast for her
husband and his business friend. while
the FIVE housekeepers dismissed their
tasks with deft hands and dressed for
the Wednesday afternoon sewing So
ciety with a pleasant sense Of impor.
lance in being the center of interest.
for In Dayville the bearer OF news"
Invariably holds the middle of the
stage.
By 3 O'Clock the society meeting was
in full swing. and the Pendletons' af-
fairs We're made the subject Of discus
sion.
Il hear they make terrible mess Of
getting along" said Mrs. Henry Beebe
Don't get along. eh?'' wheezed Mrs.
Bush skeptically.
Il don't wonder, her being the house
keeper she Is" said Mrs. Charlie
Sayles.
And him such a poor provider.
expect he don't earn enough to keep
soul and body together" was Ellen
Spencer's significant remark
They're both pretty husky looking"
put In Mrs. Bush.
But she was ignored by the news
bringers
I've heard that he treats her dread
fully" simpered Miss Fanny Wieks.
who had ideas OF her own regarding
the perfect married life
Il heard they was going TO sepa-
rate said Mittie LOOMS.
After that tongues clacked more
busily than the needles flashed.
The Pendletons would have been
quite stunned with surprise IL they
had known how intimately their az
fairs We're known and discussed by
their neighbors.
Talks to her like a dog" asserted
Fanny wicks.
IF his bed amt made before he
takes the train or If his dinner is a
mite late" added Mrs. Charlie Sayles.
with relish. And. being the poor
housekeeper she is. guess ii keeps
him dingfng at her all the time
NO woman will stand that for
long" said Mrs. Henry Beebe. who
ruled her little husband with an iron
hand minus the velvet glove.
Just think Of there being days when
they don't have bite TO eati" put in
Ellen Spencer. II wonder If it twould
be an insult 10 give 'em donation"
If they're going to separate they
won't thank anybody for giving EN- a
party" remarked Mittie Loomis.
That's so, But wonder what we
can do. don't like TO feel that there's
anybody in our midst that's suffering
for food when | have a-plenty." twit-
tered Fanny.
mo more do l." said Mrs. Charlie
Sayles thriftily. i've got some can
ned fruit that's not going TO keep.
Land knows what got into it, could
leave 1t there unbeknownst to her"
she might guess who twas that
never bad no luck with canned stuff. -
whispered Ellen Spencer to Mittie
LOOMS
Old Mrs. Bush had said Fiddle
stieksr' three times and "Bosh!'' twice,
but no one took the slightest notice of
her. Presently she folded up her work.
popped it into her black sateen work
bag and got up TO go.
why. Aunt Louisa. you amt never
going nowg Why. we're going TO
have refreshments" protested Mittie
LOOMS
Il can't stay said Mrs. Bush acidly.
.sl'yN uof things TO do that have TO be