[figure description] Page 298.[end figure description]

BLESS me!” exclaimed
Mrs. Partington,
coming in out of
breath, and dropping
down into a
chair, like a jolly
old kedge anchor,
at the same time
fanning herself with
an imaginary fan.
She did not say
“Bless me,” because
she was in
want of any particular
blessing at that time; it was merely an ejaculation
of hers, expressive of deep emotion. “Bless me!” said
she, “I don't see why the Water Commissionaries were so
much worried and fretted about introducing the Cochituate
water for; I think it is the easiest thing in the world
to get acquainted with. Look at that bonnet, now,”
holding up the antiquated, but well-preserved bit o' crape,
dripping with watery drops, like the umbrella of Aquarius;
“look at that bonnet, now! ruined to all tents and
porpoises by the pesky water-works. Introduce it, indeed!”
continued she, ironically, looking severely at the
wrecked article in her hand, “'ta'n't no use of introducing

[figure description] Page 299.[end figure description]

an acquaintance that makes so free with you at first
sight.”

She arose to hang up her bonnet, when Ike, who was
hanging upon the back of her chair, fell heavily against
the window, and thrust the rear portion of his person
through four panes of glass.

“O, Isaac!” said she, “you 'll be the ruination of
me. If I was rich as Creosote I could n't stand it.”

Isaac gathered himself from among the fragments of
glass, and seemed quite tickled with an idea that he could
sell the pieces, in conjunction with a reserve of old iron
and half of the clothes-line and three junk bottles, to
raise funds for the Fourth of July.

p677-329

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