Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-08-01
Fair
Exchange
She Had Her
Way
By LARIss 1AcKIB

claimed Mrs Weed pettishly. ANY
one would think II was some Lewis
Quincy folderol like what Judge Fol.
som sets such store by"
Il like that there chair for the same
reason that you want II, Maria" re-
turned Peleg with irritating slOwness of
speech. General Putnam sat In that
chair"
THAT fact-if It should be true. and
I don't believe Putnam was ever in
these parts-don't make the chair any
more desirable" argued Maria. u
want that chair because it's a real
Windsor and exactly matches my 9th
er me-. You don't need 1t, Peleg Morse.
I should think you'd be glad to let mt
have It."
MY sister Sarah thinks IL ought to
60 direct to her" said Peleg with
heavy hnality. "Tll thank you for an.
other biscuit, Maria"
Once a month Peleg Morse came and
had supper with the Widow Weed
And 40 the two sat there on either
side of the daintily laid round table
this matter OF the ancient Windsor
chair owned by Peleg Morse invarin
bly, came up for argument
Maria Weed had a MANN for collect
Eng old furniture. She bought and
sold, and traded back and forth until
abe had become a shrewd bargainer.
She always gained something by every
Transaction, and in that manner the
method OF livelihood solved itself
through Maria's fad.
II shall never be happy till 1 get It.
Peleg," began Maria once more as she
poured out another cup of tea from
the britannia teapot.
Get what, Maria2 Z" asked Peleg alb
Bently. he was watching Maria's
fresh, comely face and thinking how
perfectly the little woman filled that
place at the head OF the table.
'SThe chair, Peleg, Of course"
"Bother the old chairl'' grunted Pc
les. aroused to anger at last maria
Weed, you've nagged me about that
chair for the last i've years"
what II l haver' retorted Marin
good naturally. II want It"
I'D like to have that britannia tea
pot OF your grandmother's," said Pc
leg, with a happy inspiration, "but !
wouldn't think or asking you e part
with It."
40 you like this teapot" unused Ma
ria, looking It over and carefully
weighing its attractions against the
Windsor chair Of Peleg. 81 recollect
now that you always did admire 1t
lone. Want to trader she ended
suddenly.
Trade wbatf"
"Your chair for my teapot"
"You wouldn't do It, Maria7 That
teapot belonged to your mother and
Jour grandmother before her"
II want the chair, Peleg.'
Peleg threw up despairing hands.
every well, Maria Weed. You may
have the chair, and you can keep the
teapot too. I don't want It. III send
the chair ove In the morning. and now,
although I amt usually the unsOclable
fkind that eats and runs away, l guess
I'll have to go along. 1 Just recollect
some important business matters that
I've got to attend to tonight. / thank
you for a very fine supper, MARYLAND
good night"
And all in one breath, as 1t were, Pc
leg Morse, usually slow and difficult
OF speech, uttered these remarks to his
astonished hostess. pushed back from
the table, took his hat and overcoat
from the hall rack and creaked out Of
the side door and down the path, while
Maria stared, aghast at the Suddenncss
Of his going.
Maria knitted alone by the fre when
the dishes were done that night. The
eheckerbOard remained undisturbed on
atS shelf in the walnut bookcase. The
pitcher Of sweet cider that was to &C
company crisp doughnuts later on
would not be needed.
"Ftddlestieksl' cried Maria irritably
and knitted faster than ever. I'm
willing to pay the man for the chair or
trade II out. I might as well have It as
for the dust TO accumulate on II IN
his garrett As for Sarah Penny want
ing It. everybody knows she set
any store by old fashioned things. and
81 I wait till Peleg Morse dies and sa-
nh inherits IT, why. l might have to
wait years.
The next morning a small boy trun-
died a large wheelbarrow u~nsteadily
into Maria's yard, and from It he I'M
loaded the Windsor chair that tradI.
ton said had once been sat upon by
General sPutnam Of Revolutionary
fame.
Maria was out on the porch instant
~, eager and excited. $50 Mr.. Morse
seat Il over. did her she needlessly
asked.
"Yes'm," said the boy as he pocketed
the nickel she gave him.
what did Mr.. Morse say when be
sent TIP pursued Maria curiously.
The boy looked embarrassed II don't
know just what he said. Miss Weed.
only II was swearing Of some kind"
"~sWearing7 why. Leander Plat.
amt you ashamed to say such a thing
about Peleg MOree7 Him n deacon IN