The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-04-24
THE NEW FAMILY
BY JULIA A. RoBlNsoN

with excitement. A new family was 10
move into the place, d rare event for
that remote country town.
The Coney farm, as 1t was called,
had long been vacant, and rundown.
Now a new owner was coming, and In
terest ran high.
His names Jenkins" Mrs. Jones
informed her neighbors. She had been
making inquiries about the expected
newcomers. They've been living down
in the city. He's got a wife but she's
slim, and five children"
All were eager to see the new fami-
Iy arrive. Some Of the women ever
went down 10 the small flag station.
The whistle sounded, the train came
to a stop, and the new family allghted,
all Of them. A trunk, well strapped,
was set down on the platform, a hoe
and a buggy.
Hes got a buggy" whispered Mrs.
True. "Ain't it fine? The rest Of the
things must be coming later"
Mr.. jenkins looked about on his new
neighbors, a broad smile on his face
that won their hearts. He seemed q
jolly sort Of man, good-natured.
ANY Of you got a horse can bor-
row?' he asked. my wife here amt
able to walk. My buggy came, but l
need Il horse"
you're welcome to take one o.
ours" quickly responded Mrs.
ChoOmbs.
Mrs. Choombs soon returned. Mr..
jenkins, with thanks, harnessed the
horse to his buggy, piled his family in
and drove off.
Mrs. Bates, who lived nearest to the
Coney farm, was preparing her supper
when there came a knock at the door.
There stood II Of the jenkins chill
dren.
Dad says, could you lend him a
bit of woodY" she asked, IAN ma,
she wants a saucepan apd a little
-four"
"To be sure, dear" responded Mira.
Bates.
In the morning another child came
with the request Gould you lend me
a loaf Of bread and a few potatoes,
and Dad, he wants a shovel"
After a few days the neighbors be
gun TO talk among themselves.
ITS about time them things OF
theirs came, / say" observed Mrs.
Jones. 1.-THE things they've borrowed
o me and haln't never returned, l
couldn't tell YOU
why, l thought | was the only u
who lent 'em things" cried Mrs.
Brown.
The only one? Not much" cried
several voices. I'm lendln' 'em things
every day."
Me. too" echoed Mrs. Gibbs. "They
have borrowed my dashboard and
soap. baking tins, plates, even, and
they never return a thing till go
after 1t. Not always then, especially
II It's something to eat. I'm bout
tired of It."
Hes borrowed my husbands
shovel, his oxen and plough. Dan said
he really couldn't refuse a newcomer
but he neeced them himself" said an
other.
It's too exasperatlng, but what can
we do?" asked Mrs. Brown.
They talked the matter over for
days. At last they decided on a plan
they thought must be effectual to work
n cure in the new family. Mrs. Jones
was the first one to put It into effect,
Mary jenkins came over, as usual and
asked: "Can you lend Ma six eggs
and a cup Of sugar and a little butter?
She's making a cake"
Certainly" beamed Mrs. Jones,
bringing the desired articles.
In half an hour the child came back.
These eggs are all rotten; Ma can't
use EN-" she complained, land the
sugars got sand in it, and the butter
don't taste good"
Sorry" exclaimed Mrs. Jones.
"Those eggs were all l had. l remem-
Der the sugar got spilled an the boys
scraped It up. 'Spose they scooped up a
bit o sand with 1t. Can't be helped
now. Ask your ma to please excuse
It this time"
The scheme was working well with
Mrs. Jenkins. but how were the men
to manage Mr.. Jenklns2 That was a
more difficult matter and far more seri'
Gus.
Good morning, Nelghbor JONES'
Mr.. jenkins accosted with his usual
smile. Gust lend me your harrow,
I've gotter go over my land"
1t hurt Mr.. Jones TO take the screws
from his new harrow, for he knew It
would fall to pieces, and it would
take n good day to repair II, but for
the sake Of the cause he did It.
In short measure Mr.. jenkins came
back, not smiling this time,
whats the matter with the old
thing2" he b+prted.
NnN-NuN-lt uAuheh' NAiVu WI
Jones. AN twas a new one, too. May
he | can fix It, but twill take u lot
o time"
1t was the same with everything
Jenkins tried to do. Everything he
borrowed fell to pieces. b
1t went on for a few days. Nothing
that the Jenkins family tried to Dor
row was in working order. At last they
began to understand.
nAfnhhv Mn,d hefter 90 an hny d