Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-03-30
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Matty Esmaine's Rahe.

you know 7
Matty Esmaine was sitting on low
cricket in the very middle of the room,
surrounded by perfect m@lstrom of rib
bon, and velvet, aud winking steel beads
and gimmering gold braid little Fairy
Disorder, whose wand was diminltive
thimble, and whose magic ring was mark.
ed by rainbow scraps Of silk and tangled
mass of embroidery floss She, small and
rosy, with liquid brown eyes, and cheeks
tinted with the pinky pearl of the trailing
arbutus you sometimes find hidden under
the rustlng layers of old leaves in scent
ed spring woods.-And her auburn hair
we'll it was looped up with cherry colored
ribbon into what ladies call WATERFALL
and very pretty it looked in its chestnut
shadows that changed to ripples of gold at
every motion of the head.
Ellen Esmaine, the sober, elder sister
who sat in the window seat, threading
sprays of coral on the silver wires-was al
together different; not bit pretty, but We
ry fresh and lovable; and the demure way
in which she watched Mattys elfsh move
ments as grown up cat might tolerate
little Kittens freaks, was sight to see !
And Montague Rayner, sitting anchor in
clear space in the sea of trippery, was
occupied in holding skein of violet silk
for the younger Miss Esmaine to wind OF
course be was dreadfully clumsy about it,
perpetually dropping the ends, and catch
ing his great thumbs in meshes and com
mitting every fur pas that could be
dreamed of in connection with skein of
violet silk; but then he enjoyed it so in
teusely that Matty hadn't the heart to de
pose him from his position as switts, pro
tenn
For the sick soldiers, eh p said Mr.
Rayner. And arn't the .seH soldiers to
derive any emoluments thereirom p
cot course not they don't need it
Don't they?' | tell you what, Miss
Mattv-if you could be on picket duty
night or two, or carry knapsack up and
down the muddy Fairfax hills ten or twelve
hours on forced march, you might posi-
bly, alter your opinion on the subject Of
well soldiers being the most fortunate
creatures in existence Halo what's the
matter"
Matty had given small deprecating
shrek as Montague snapped the strands Of
the violet silk in his enthusiasm.
Nothing said Miss Esmaine, dryly ia
king the skein from him. Venus what a
sensation ran through him as the soft rosy
fingers touched his brown paws. 'Only |
prefer two chairs to finish this silk.
Indeed, Miss Matty, I'm very sorry,
said Montague penitently. just let me
try once more; III promise to keep my
hands as still as mice. know I'm clum
sy blockhead but
But Matty was inexorable, ard the abssh-
ed defender of his country withdrew his
batteries and opened fire in new spot
Suppose the girls and women are max
ing heaps of GIN cracks for this fair, eh ??
To be sure they are says Matty, her
eyes sparkling. Such lot of money as
we shall make. There are to be seven diff
ferent raffles, only think! Mrs We're
gives a piano to be raffled for; and Kate
Windham contributes cashmere shawl, a
love OF real India and Major Hall has
given US a silver dressing case and, oh
dear ? sighed Matty, stopping the very act
of sewing spots of gold foil upon the blue
velvet wings of gorgeous butterfly that
was to be put down in the catalouge
Pen wiper, No. 18'-' if | could only give
them something bette worth having than
these ridiculous little gewgawsp
well, then, why don't your said Ray.
ner, twisting his moustache argumentative,
ly.
why don't I ? flashed Matty what
have | to give ? If had a piano I'd sac
rl6ce it in minute If | owned O sew
ing machiue I'd send it down to be ratified
for to morrow
Indeed ? said private Rayner, arching
his eyebrows satirically, I'm surprised at
the extent of Miss Esmaine's patriotism.
While we soldiers only contribute the vi
tai stream of our hearts blood, or it may
be, a leg or an arm to the shrine of our
country's need, Miss Matte Esmaine is
willing to give up her piano if she had one.
And he lightly hummed the lines:
I'd like TO aid the soldiers
If could as well as not,