Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-01-26
TABITHA'S|
TONGUE
A Woman's Privilege Is to
Change Her Mind

S"ns ahu went nome the ladies' of
the Farther Light Missionary circle
sighed unanimously.
NO one speak. please" whispered
Mrs. Ames. 1.-The silence Is 80 blessedr.
Then they all laughed and tongues
wagged
did you ever bear any one run on
sor'
"Tabby Trotter never did let a BODY
get a word In edgewisew
There's no interrupting her either"
Il think one who lives alone il ant
to talk much more when among people
than those whose families act as safe
ty valves" The minister's wife spoke
defensIvely Of the absent member.
"Humph." shifted Mrs. Ames. BE
that as 1t may. know Tabby was a
chatterbox when she was a child. and
It's habit that can't be broken now"
I'VE are all glad to hear the news"
defended Mrs. Berry. the minister's
wife. And Tabitha never repeats
scandal. and she doesn't say anything
unkind."
nav" out uSSeIIeu NITH-
Ames, looking around at the interested
women. Il know that Tabby's tongue
cost her husband"
sally Ames" gasped dozen voices.
Its fact You remember that
man who bought the Allen place
Martin Is the name. When he came
four years ago be was quite attracted
to Tabby. She was SO tickled over his
attentions that she talked him most to
death. | heard say that he compared
her to photograph: said he could buy
talking machine and shut 1t of when
be was tired. or course he couldn't
do that with a wife"
A slight smile greeted this story. but
Mrs, Berry's face wore dlspleased
look.
"Tabitha was well rid OF any man
who would speak so OF a woman" she
said sternly
Mrs. Ames looked uncomfortable.
How was she to explain that David
Martin never actually had said those
words? What she had repeated was n
conversation which had taken place at
her own table between members Of her
family. and In the repetition she had
made better STORY" by crediting Da-
vid Martin with the remarks.
The Farther Light circle broke up
and went home-that Is. all OF them
dispersed to their homes and the prep
aration OF supper excepting Miss Fan
ny Bond. Miss Bond turned In at
Tabby Trotter's gate and went around
to the side door.
I'm telling you as n friend" said
Fanny In scared tone as she got up
TO leave. for already she was regret
ting having repeated Mrs. Ames' idle
gossip-"I'm telling you because you're
my friend"
Tabby Trotter's round. rosy face pal
ed. and her blue eyes became very hard
and cold.
Thank you. Fam" she said slowly.
You are good friend" And the
laugh which followed the remark sent
Miss Bond hurrying home feeling like
the sneak which she was.
is that how he explained itT'
thought Tabitha.
And all the rest Of the evening Tab
by went silently about the house. The
song which was ever on her sweet lips
was stilled. In silence she went to
and fro and at last to bed
Tabby Trotter's tongue certainly was
still that evening.
The next day Mrs. Ames happened
into Tabby's kitchen.
II want to borrow some eggs. l
don't know what's got into my hens.'
she explained. sitting down by sun
ny window.
How many?" asked Tabby.
"A dozen will do II you can spare
en-
Certainly"
Sally Ames took her little basket Of
eggs and set It on the floor beside her
chair whats the news. TabbyT
Tabby was making sugar cookies. She
deftly rolled out a sheet Of yellow
dough and cut out the circles with a
star shaped cutter.
whats the newsr repeated Mrs.
Ames.
Haven't heard any" said Miss Trot-
ter.
T thought perhaps you'd heard when
Annie Smith was going to be married.
! heard she was making pillow cases"
Haven't heard" said Tabby terseiy.
whats the matter with you. Tab
byr
Nothing"
"Yes. there IS"
"Why?"
you don't say much. You're MAD
about something. Tabby Trotter."
I'm not mad. I'm glad"
Mrs. Ames picked up her basket and
opened the door.
Come and see me when you've got
time" she called back. "ru want to
hear all about your cousin Ellen's op-
Grafton"