The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-27
TABITHA'S:
TONGUE
A Woman's Privilege Is to
Change Her Mind
Rv CI AQ1CCA MAYBE
By CLARISSA MACKIE

sewing and went home the ladies' of
the Farther Light Missionary circle
sighed unanimously.
"No one speak, please" whispered
Mrs Ames, 1.-The silence is SO blessedr'
Then they all laughed and tongues
vagged.
"Did you ever hear any one run on
p?
"Tabby Trotter never did let a body
get a word in edgewise!
There's no interrupting her either"
81 think one who lives alone is ant
to talk much more when among people
than those whose families act as safe.
U valves" The minister's wife spoke
defensively Of the absent member.
"Humph!" shifted Mrs. Ames. "Be
that as it may. l know Tabby was a
cbatterbOx when she was a child, and
its 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.'
q know one thing" asserted Mrs.
Ames, looking around at the interested
women. Il know that Tabby's tongue
cost her husbandv
Sally Ames" gasped dozen voices.
"It's fact. You remember that
man who bought the Allen place
Martin is the name. When he came
four years ago he was quite attracted
to Tabby She was 80 tickled over his
attentions that she talked him most to
DEATH I heard say that he compared
her to phonograph; said he could buy
a talking machine and shut it Off when
be was tired! OF course be couldn't
do that with a wife,"
A slight smile greeted this story, but
Mrs Berrys face wore displeased
look
"Tabitha was well rid of any man
who would speak so Of 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 a
Nnyersation 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-
nd Martin with the remarks.
The Farther Light circle broke up
md went home-that is, all of them
dispersed to their homes and the prep
ration of supper excepting Miss Fan
BY Bond. Miss Bond turned in at
Tabby TrOtter's gate and went around
the side door.
I'm telling you as a friend" said
Fanny in scared tone as she got up
leave, for already she was regret.
ing having repeated Mrs. Ames' idle
'ossip-"I'm telling you because you're
by friend"
Tabby Trotter's round, rosy face pal
., and her blue eyes became very hard
md cold.
Thank you. Fam" she said slowly.
You are a good friend" And the
hugh which followed the remark sent
fiss Bond hurrying home feeling like
he sneak which she was.
us that how he explained it?"
bought Tabitha.
And all the rest Of the evening Tab
went silently about the house. The
ong which was ever on her sweet lips
'as stilled. In silence she went to
nd fro and at last to bed
Tabby Trotter's tongue certainly was
oil that evening.
The next day Mrs. Ames happened
bto Tabby's kitchen.
i want to borrow some eggs.
ont know what's got into my hens"
be explained. sitting down by a sun
y window.
How many?" asked Tabby.
"A dozen will do If you can spare
M"
Certainly"
Sally Ames took her little basket of
sgs and set it on the floor beside her
pair, What's the news, TabbyY"
iabby was making sugar cookies. She
eluy rolled out a sheet Of yellow
pugh and cut out the circles with
ar shaped cutter.
What's the newsY' repeated Mrs.
mes.
Haven't heard any" said Miss Trot-
..
thought perhaps you'd heard when
aAle Smith was going to be married.
aeard she was making pillow cases.
haven't heard" said Tabby tersely.
whats the matter with you, Tab
Nothing"
les. there is"
'Why?"
lou don't say much. You're mad
Su' something. Tabby Trotter."
N not mad. I'm glad"
as Ames picked up her basket and
.aed the door.
ZONE and see me when you've got
she called back. ''I'n want to
all about your cousin Ellen's op-
d mr' reSnondad Tohhv IN nOn-