The Press., 1913-08-06
Fair Exchange She Had Her Way
 
By cLARIssA MAcKIE


 on to that old chair, Peleg Morsev' ex- claimed Mrs. Weed pettishly. Any one would think it was some Lewis Quincy fOlderol like what Judge Fol som sets such store by"
 ] "I like that there chair for the same reason that you want it, Maria." re- turned Peleg with irritating slowness of speech. General Putnam sat in that chair" ...... ..'..r -.....s
 That fact-if 1t should be true, and I don't believe Putnam was ever in these parts-don't make the chair any more desirable" argued Maria. Il want that chair because it's a real Windsor and exactly matches my oth CT one. You don't need it, Peleg Morse should think you'd be glad to let me have It." .... saa.,
 My sister Sarah thinks 1t ought to go direct to her," said Peleg with heavy finality. "I'll thank you for an- other biscuit. Maria" IA, ,'..- '-.. Once a month Peleg Morse came and had supper with the Widow Weed. And as the two sat there on either side of the daintily laid round table this matter of the ancient Windsor chair owned by Peleg Morse invaffa bly, came up for argument .s Maria Weed had a mania for collect ing old furniture. She bought and sold and traded back and forth until she had become shrewd bargainer. She always gained something by every transaction, and in that manner the method of livelihood solved itself through Maria's fad. .3 3..e :,
 Il shall never be happy till I get it. Peleg," began Maria once more as she poured out another cup of tea from the britannia teapot.
 "Get what, Maria P asked Peleg ab- sently. He was watching Maria's 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 chairy grunted Pc leg, aroused to anger at last. Maria Weed, you've nagged me about that chair for the last five years" .,s 7.
 What if 1 have?" retorted Maria good naturedTy. Il want it-''
 ''I'd like to have that britannia tea pot of your grandmother's,' said Pc leg, with happy inspiration. but ] wouldn't think of asking you, to part with it." .... .....-., ..s, "So you like this teapot" unused Ma. ria, looking 1t over and carefully weighing its attractions against the Windsor chair of Peleg. ''I recollect now that you always did admire 1t some. Want to tradeT she ended suddenly. ,:
 Trade what2" -,-. ..,-.--
 "Your chair for my teapot"
 ''You wouldn't do it, Maria? That teapot belonged to your mother and your grandmother before her."
 'I want the chair, Peleg.'' :: 7. :-.- ;, ts
 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. I'll send the chair over in the morning, and now, although l ain't usually the unsoeiable kind that eats and runs away. l guess I'll have to go along. just recollect some important business matters that I've got to attend to tonight. l thank you for very fine supper. Maria-and 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 suddenness of his going.
 Maria knitted alone by the fire when the dishes were done that night The checkerboard remained undisturbed on its shelf in the walnut bookcase. The pitcher of sweet cider that was to ac. company crisp doughnuts later on would not be needed.
 "F'iddlesticksp' cried Maria irritably and knitted faster than ever. "I'm willing to pay the man for the chair or trade it out. might as well have 1t as for the dust to accumulate on. it in his garret As for Sarah Penny want ing it, everybody knows she never, sci any store by old fashioned things, and if wait till Peleg Morse dies and Sa rah inherits 1t. why. I might have to wait yearsv'
 The next morning a small boy trun dled large wheelbarrow unsteadily into Maria's yard. and from it he un loaded the Windsor chair that tradi ton said had once been sat upon by General Putnam of Revolutionary fame. .... Maria was out on the porch instant ly, eager and excited. ~"So Mir. Morse sent 1t over. did hep she needlessly asked. <'<.-s- |. +S'ts'<Sr." e,.'Ss-a
 "Yes'm," said the boy as he pocketed 9he nickel she gave him. -4s1 eje
 ''What did MT. Morse say when he sent itY' pursued Maria curtously.
 The boy looked embarrassed. ''I don't know just what he said. Miss Weed only 1t was swearing of some kind'
 Swearing? Why. Leander Platt ain't you ashamed to say such thing about Peleg Morse? Him a deacon in the church too don't believe itl''
 'Tts so." insisted Leander, growing very red ir the face. ''I heard him with my ears.'' .
 '"They must be bad ears to hear things like that. I.eantler. I'll see your ma and tell her what stories you make up," scolded Maria. "Peleg Morse is a good man."
 'Ma heard him too" said Leander stolidly.
 "Humphr' sniffed Maria incredu- Iously.
 "She said she was scandalized." ada edA1Eeander as he picked up the han lles Of the, wheelbarrow and departed
 Maria pushed the chair through the kitchen and dining room and straight tO the place she had prepared for it op5 posite her own Windsor chair.
 standfng on either side of the wide hearth. they looked very comfortable and Inviting. and. together with the