27(J TENANTS OF AN OLD FARM. 



boards. There are some insects, I grant thee, whose 

 presence is a proof of uncleanhness, but it is no discredit 

 to any houseekeeper to have red ants at times." 



"An' that's the mortal truth. Aunt Hanner," re- 

 marked Sarali, who had been again aUured from tlie 

 kitchen shadows by the nature of the conversation. 

 " I've tried no end uv scourin' an' scrubbin' ; an' after 

 I'd lied my closets all swep' an' garnished, and pol- 

 ished to boot, along ud come them pesky mites uv 

 critters, like the cast out devils in the Scripter, an' ud 

 enter in bringin' ther neighbors with 'em, an' make 

 things wuss 'n ever. For my part I don't see w'at sich 

 anymiles wuz made fer, nohow ! ' ' Having thus deli versti 

 her mind and started a problem that has puzzled wiser 

 heads, she returned to her seat at the kitchen stove. 



