Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-10
Fair
Exchange
She Had Her
Way
n. rI ADtcSa R4ATKIE
BY cLARIssA r1AcKIE

claimed AIRS. Weed pettishly. ANY
one would think il was some Lewis
quincy foldcrol ike what Judge Fol-
som sets such store by
II like that there chair for the same
reason that you want IT, Maria" re
turned rclcg with irritating slowness Of
speech General Putnam sat in that
chair
THAT fact-if il should be true, and
| don't believe Putnam was ever In
these parts make the chair any
more desirable" argued Maria. II
want that chair because its a real
Windsor ana exactly matches my 9th.
er one. You don't need IT, Peleg Morse
should think you'd be glad to let me
have e"
My sister Sarah thinks It ought 10
20 direct 20 her" said pcleg with
heavy iinalty "Iu thank you for an
oihee biscuit. Maria"
once u month Pelcg Morse came ana
had supper with the Widow Weed
And as the two sat there on either
side Of the dalntily hid round table
this matter of the ancient Windsor
chair owned by Peles Morse invaria-
bly, came up FOR argument.
Maria Weed had mania for collect.
ing old furniture She bought and
sold and traded back and forth until
she had become shrcwd bargaincr.
She always gained something by every
transaction. and in that manner the
method OF livelihood solved itself
through Maria's fad.
Fl shall never be happy till get 1t.
releg." began Maria once more as she
poured ont another cup OF tea from
the britannia teapot.
Get what. Maria?" asked Pcleg alb
sently He was watching Maria :
fresh comedy face and thinking how
perfectly the little woman filled that
place at the head Of the table.
The chair, Peleg, Of course
Bother the old chart" sruntcd Re.
leg aroused to anger at last. Maria
Weed. you've ragged me about that
chair for the last tive years.
What If hayef" retorted Maria
good naturedly. Il want it"
"I'd like 10 have that britannia tea
pot of your grandmother's,' said Pc
leg. with a happy inspiration. but |
wouldn't think If asking you TO part
with H."
$50 you like this teapot mused Ma
ria looking II over and carefully
weighing It's attractions against the
Windsor chair Of Peleg Il recollect
now that YOU always did admire 1t
some. Want to trade she ended
suddenly.
Trade what"
"Your chair for my teapot"
"You wouldn't do It. Maria? That
teapot belonged to your mother and
your grandmother before her"
Il want the chair, Pcleg."
Peleg threw up despairing hands
Very well, Maria Weed You may
have the chair, and you can keep the
teapot too don't want IL. I'll send
the chair over In the morning. and now
although | amt usually the unsociable
kind that eats and runs away. guess
I'll have 10 go along | just recollcct
some important business matters that
I've got to attend to tonight | thank
you for very fine supper. Maria-and
good night
And MI In one breath. as It We're. Pc
leg Morse. usually slow and difficult
Of speech. uttered these remarks 10 his
astonished hostess. pushed back from
the table. took his hat and overcoat
from the hall rack and creakcd out Of
the side door ana down the path. while
Maria stared, aghast at the suddenness
of his going
Maria knitted alone by the fire when
the dishes were done that night. The
checkerboard remained undisturbed Oh
Its shelf IN the walnut bookcase, The
pitcher OF sweet cider that was TO &c.
company crisp doughnuts later on
would not be needed.
"FiddIesticks" cried Maria irritably
and knitted faster than ever I'm
willing 20 pay the man for the chair or
trade II out. might rs well have IL as
for the dust 10 accumulate ON II In
his garrett As for Sarah Penny want
ing II. everybody knows she never set
any store hy Old fashioned things and
II wait till Peleg Morse dies and Sa-
rah nherits It, why. | might have 10
wait yenrs"'
The next morning small boy trun-
died large whcelbarrow unsteadily
into Mara's yard. and from II he un-
loaded the Windsor chair that tradi
ton said had once been sat upon by
General Putnam Of Revolutionary
fame
Maria was ont on the porch instant
~. eager and excited. $50 Mr.. Morse
sent It over. did he;" she needlessly
asked
"yes'm" said the boy ms he nocketed
the nickel she gave him
"What did Mr.. Morse say when he
sent IT." pursued Maria curiously.
The boy looked embarrassed II don't
know lust what he said. Miss Weed.