Oxford Democrat., 1913-11-18


bite to eat. Mitte, is that poundcake
Well, Jest give me the end piece; like
It best And, yes, I'll take tea. Mrs.
Wright. Let the young folks have
lemonade"
Her middle aged companions uncon-
sciously bridled at being classed among
the younger generation, and so a feel
ing Of good fellowship was established
when Mrs. Bush dropped a bombshell
in their midst.
II saw Mrs. Pendleton at her front
gate. and told her what you all was
saying about her." observed Mrs. Bush
coolly.
There was a moment Of breathleSs
horror. and five pairs Of eyes started
with guilty fear. Mittie LOOMS found
her tongue first.
Aunt Louisa. you never didp
II did. wanted to find out II there
was q word Of truth in the hull thing
or whether folks had been listening on
the telephone again"
There were FIVE feeble protests, and
fve pink faces were the cynosure OF
all eyes.
Mrs. Bush went on mercilessly:.
~ told her. and she says, Mrs. Bush,
do believe those good gossips have
been listening along the telephone line!
And then she up and told me all about
1t, and all got to say is don't see
how any sensible. God fearing woman
can deliberately misconstrue some
body else's innocent conversation and
twist 1t into news that sets every
body by the ears. I know some things
1 ain't never told. l met Mrs. Pendle-
toms brother. and he showed me q
picture Of his wife and children; had
It In his vest pocket. They're all COM
ing up to spend two weeks pretty soon.
So where's your romance about the
other man. Fanny Wicks? Fiddledee!"
The silence was profound, while Mrs.
Bush told the members Of the sewing
society all about Mrs. Pendleton's busy
day preparing for the unexpected
guest. She also related how she her
self had poked an inquisitive nose into
the Pendleton pantry and had seen a
goodly store of eatables there. and she
translated Mrs. Pendleton's remark to
her husband as being the exaggeration
Of a good housekeeper when she ex'
poets company-nothing in the house
to eat.
Then Mrs. Bush told another secret
Mrs. Pendleton had given her permis.
sion to tell them. and 1t was the sort
Of secret that all women are interested
in. 1t brings tender smiles to their
lips and a warm maternal light to the
eyes, even to the eyes Of such spinsters
as Mittie Loomis and Fannie Wicks.
"You can all make it up to Mrs Pen
dleton by fixing something for the lit
tie new baby that's expected" said
Mrs. Bush. her sharp voice softening
wonderfully under the influence Of this
magical topic. "Now. what can you
do. Mittie?'
"a knitted carriage robe. blue and
white" said Mitie eagerly. eth be a
lot of work, but don't mind"
II shall crochet three pairs Of little
Shoes" said Ellen Spencer. II know
a pretty new pattern"
"And you. Fanny Wicks3" asked
Mrs. Bush sharply. for Fanny liked to
write poetry in her spare moments and
was not fond Of work In any form.
"Bibs," said Fanny dreamily, ''six
little embroidered bibs. l saw some
patterns in the fashion sheet this
month. They were so cute I was wish
ing l knew some little one to make
them for"
II shall embrolder FELLOWSHIP" said
Mrs. Charlie Sayles briskly. and one
could almost see the beautifully work.
ed pattern that would result from her
labors.
II will make cap" said Mrs. Beebe,
her mind busy with the details Of this
interesting needlework.
'sThen. when everythings done. l
guess we might have kind Of little
party for Mrs. Pendleton and give 'em
to her. expect she will like that
kind Of a donation" said old Mrs.
Bush. and she had forgotten to be
snappish. and her black eyes beamed
youthfully.
Well. 1t is a fact that now. when the
Pendletons' telephone bell rings. all
the receivers on that line remain on
their respective hooks. but the FIVE
subscribers always look bit anxious
and say:
'T hope nothing is the matter With
that blessed baby"
Saved by April Fool Time.
When Francis, duke Of Lorraine. and
bis wife were awaiting death In the
prison of Nantes they chose as the
day for an attempt to escape the LIST
Of April.
Disguised as peasants. says d chron-
icler. the one bearing a bod on his
shoulder, the other carrying a basket
Of rubbish on her back. they both at
an early hour Of the day passed through
the gates Of the city. A woman having
a knowledge Of their persons ran to
the guard to give notice to the sentry.
"April fooly' cried the soldier. and
bis comrades to man shouted ont.
"April foolr'
The governor, to whom the incident
was related as great Jest. became
suspicious. and ordered an investiga-
tion, but It was too late. for In the
meantime the duke and his wife were
well on their way. The LIST Of April
had saved them.
Captain Cooks Shilling.
Young James Cook. destined later tc
become Englapd's greatest navigator.