Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-05-10
THE new FAMILY
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON

that remote country town.
The Coney farm, as it was called,
had long been vacant, and rundown.
Now 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-
ly arrive. Some of the women even
went down to the small flag station.
The whistle sounded the train came
to stop, and the new family alighted.
all of them. A trunk, well strapped,
was set down on the platform, a hoe
and buggy.
Hes got buggy whispered Mrs.
True. "Aint 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 a
jolly sort of man, good-natured.
ANY Of you got horse can Dor
row?" he asked. my wife here amt
able to walk. Ny buggy came, but l
need a horse"
you're welcome to take one O.
ours quickly sponded 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 one Of the jenkins chill
dren.
Dad says, could you lend him
bit of woodT" she asked, IAN ma,
she wants saucepan and little
-four"
"To be sure, dear" responded Mrs.
Bates.
In the morning another child came
with the request Gould you lend me
loaf Of bread and a few potatoes,
and Dad, he wants a shovel"
After few days the neighbors be-
gan to talk among themselves.
"It's about time them things of
theirs came, 1 say observed Mrs.
Jones. 1.-THE things they've borrowed
o me and hain't never returned, |
couldn't tell YOU"
"Why, l thought 1 was the only one
who lent 'em thlngs!" cried Mrs.
Brown.
1.-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 thing till l go
after 1t. Not always then, especially
If It's something to eat I'm bout
tired Of IT.
"He's borrowed my husbands
shovel, his oxen and plough. Dan said
he really couldn't refuse a newcomer,
but he needed them himself" said an
other.
Its too exasperating, but what can
we do?" asked Mrs. Brown.
They talked the matter over for
days. At last they decided on plan
they thought must be effectual to work
a cure in the new family. Mrs. Jones
was the first one to put it into effect.
Mary jenkins came over, as usual and
asked: Gan you lend Ma six eggs
and 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, "and the
sugars got sand In 1t, and the butter
don't taste good"
Sorry" exclaimed Mrs. Jones.
''Those eggs were all had. I remem-
Der the sugar got spilled an the boys
scraped it up. 'Spose they scooped up a
bit O. sand with It, Can't be helped
now. Ask your ma to please excuse
1t this time"
The scheme was working well with
Mrs. Jenkins, but how were the men
to manage Mr.. Jenkins? That was
more difficult matter and far more seri-
Ous.
"Good morning, Nelghbor JONES'"
Mr.. Jenkins accosted with his usual
smile. Just lend me your harrow.
I've gotter 60 over my land"
1t hurt Mr.. Jones to take the screws
from his new harrow, for he knew 1t
would fall to pieces and it would
take good day to repair it. 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
thing?" he blurted
"Why-why-it' Droken!' cried Mr.,
Jones. "An' twas new one, too. May
be I can fix it, but twill take a lot
o. time"
It was the same with everything
Jenkins tried to do. Everything he
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