The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-03-29

one would think IL was some Levi
Quincy folderol like what Judge Fol
som sets such store by
Il like that there chair for the same
reason that you want &C. Maria" re
turned Peleg with Irritating slowness o
speech. General Putnam sat ia tina
chain"
| That fact-if it should be true, anC
] don't believe Putnam was ever IL
these parts-dOn't make the chair any
more desirable, argued Maria. Il
want that chair because its rea
Windsor and exactly matches my 9th
er one. You don't need il, Peeg Morse
! should think you'd he glad To let ne
have IT,"
My sister Sarah thinks il ought Ia
10 direct To her" said Peleg with
heavy fnality. I'm thank YOU for an
other biscuit. Maria"
once 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 10y Peleg Morse inyaris
h bly, came up for argument.
\ Maria Weed had mania for collect
ing old furniture She bought and
she had become shrewd bargainer.
She always gained something 10y every
transaction. and in that manner the
method OF livelihood solved itself
through Maria's fad.
Il shall never be happy I'LL | get IT,
| Peleg," began Maria once more as she
poured out another cup Of tea from
the britannia teapot.
Get what. Maria:" asked Peleg alb
sently. He was watching Marias
| fresh. comely face and thinking how
| perfectly the little woman filed that
place at the head Of the table.
The chair, Peleg, OF course
Bother the old chair" grunted Pc
leg, aroused 10 anger at last. Maria
Weed, you've ragged NE about that
chair for the last i've years"
What IL | have:' retorted Maria
good naturally. Il want it,"
I'D like 10 have that britannia tea
pot OF your grandmothers, said Pc
leg, with a happy inspiration, but
wouldn't think Of asking yon To part
with it,"
80 you like this teapot unused Ma
ria, looking it over and carefully
weighing its attractions against the
Windsor chair OF Peleg Il recollect
now that you always did admire II
some. Want 10 tradef" 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, Peleg."
Peleg threw up despairing hands.
VERY well, Maria Weed. You may
have the chair, and you can keep the
teapot too. ] don't want it, I'll send
the chair over In the mofning. and now,
although | amt usually the unsociable
kind that eats and runs away, ! 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 q very fine supper, Maria-and
good night"
And all in one breath, as IL were, Pc
leg Morse, usually slow and difficult
Of speech, uttered these remarks to his
astonished hostess, pushed back frem
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 doughDuts later on
would not be needed.
'Fiddlesticks!" cried Maria irritably
and knitted faster than ever. I'm
willing to pay the man for the chair or
trade ii out. ! might as well have IL as
for the dust to accumulate 90 it in
his garnet. As for Sarah Penny want
ing H. everybody knows she never set
any store by old fashioned things. and
If wait till Peleg Morse dies and Sa.
rah inherits 1t, why. ! might have to
wait years.
The next morning small boy trun-
died a large wheelbarrow unsteadily
into Maria'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 out on the porch instant
ly, eager ard excited $50 Mr.. Morse
sent IL over. did he?' she needlessly
asked
'Yes'm." said the boy as he pocketed
the nickel she gave him
What did Mr. Morse say when he
sent it, pursued Marin curiously.
The boy looked embarrassed Il don't
know just what be said. Miss Weed.
only II was swearing OF some kind
Swearing? Why. Leander Plat,
amt you ashamed to say such a thing
about Peleg Morse? Him deacon In
the church too. don't believe it!''
"It's So" insisted Leander. growing
very red IN the face. II heard hin.
with my ears"