Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-04-21
THE NEW FAMILY
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON

The little village of Dunbar was filled
with excitement y new family was to
move into the place. Il rare event for
that remote country town.
The Coney farm. us it was called
mad 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 a stop, and the new family alighted,
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. Amt it fine? The rest of the
things must be coming later"
Mr.. Jenkins looked about on his new
neighbors, broad smile on his face
that Won their hearts. He seemed a
jolly sCrt of man, good-natured.
ANY of you got 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 esponded 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 knock at the door.
There stood one of the jenkins chill
dren.
Dad says, could you lend him a
bit of wood?" she asked, AN ma,
She wants a saucepan and little
flour"
ITO be sure, dear!" responded Mrs,
Bates.
In the morning another child came
with the request: Gould you lend me
a loaf of bread and 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, l say observed Mrs.
Jones' The things they've borrowed
o me and hain't never returned, l
couldn't tell YOU
why, ! thought l was the only one
who lent 'em things !" cried Mrs,
Brown.
The only one? Not much!" cried
several voices. I'm lendin' EN- things
every day
Me too" echoed Mrs. Gibbs. "They
have borrowed my washboard and
soap. baking tins, plates, even, and
they never return a thing till l go
after It. 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 needed them himself" said an
other.
It's too eXasperating, but what can
we dor 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: "Can you lend Ma six eggs
and a cup of sugar and 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 It, and the butter
don't taste good"
Sorry :" exclaimed Mrs. Jones.
"Those eggs We're all had. l remem-
Der the sugar got spilled an the boys
scraped 1t up. 'Spose they scooped up
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 a
more difficult matter and far more seri-
Gus.
Good morning, Nelghbor Jones"
Mr. Jenkins accosted with his usual
smile. Just lend me your harrow,
I've gotter go over my land"
It hurt Mr. Jones to take the screws
from his new harrow, for he knew 1t
would fall to pieces, and 1t would
take a good day to repair 1t, but for
the sake of the cause he did 1t.
In short measure Mr. Jenkins came
back, not smiling this time.
whats the matter with the old
thingY he blurted.
"Why-why-it' broken !" cried Mr..
Jones' AN twas new one, too May
be I can fix it, but twill take a lot
o. time"