The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-23
Misfellanrons.
Prom IIarPer's Magazine for July.
THE BUTT0N-H0LE B0QUET.

Nell Manning was bright, loving body,
the daughter of worthy old couple who
were "uncle" Gnd "auntn TO the whole
neighborhood; she had warm, sympa-
thizing heart. that caused her to feel n
deep interest in her friends love affairs,
though rs yet she was heart-whole her
self. and seemed likely to remain so. One
of her dearest friends was little Maggie
Brown (the heroine of my story), a shy
little shrinking thing with two lovers, both
fine young fellows. One was Tom Hard
ing, for whom she only cared in n sisterly
sort of way. and treated tcnderly because
she was sorry she didn't care more for him.
The other, Fred Bailey, was the joy of her
heart; but she was too shy TO give him
more than the briefest glimpses of her
feelings, so that poor Fred was in a more
uncertain state than Tom, who did hope u
little. and even more than little.
1t WAS Nell's birthday, and Nell was GO
ing to give party; not u city party by
any means, but u little country gathering.
OF course Tom and Fred were invited.
Maggie spent the day with Nell, helping
her TO frost the cakes and finish up various
little matters of the sort; and then the two
went into the gay. old-fashioned garden,
where bright flowers abounded, and gath
cred their aprons full, for the adornment
Of the tea-table. Maggie had but little
skill in the arrangement Of flowers, though
very fond Of them, while Nelrs quick fin
gers could group them charmingly: so
when they came into the cool sitting-room
Maggie poured her gatherings on large
waiter by Nell's side, and looked about for
resting place. Now the room had but
but two really comfortable seats in it. One
was the roomy sofa where Nell was seated
with the waiter of flowers by her; SO that
place was pretty well taken up. for Nell
was fine specimen of n young woman;
and the other was Aunt Peggy's easy
chair, styled SLEEPY Hollow" which stood
by window. 1twas Aunt Peggy's usual
custom to sit therein and gaze out, occa-
sionally sinking into such deep thought
that her eyes were quite tightly shut dur
ing the meditation; but now the chair was
yocant.
Mother has gone ont about something" )"
said Nell; "sit down in Sleepy Hollow
and rest awhile, 81 rs to be fresh for this
evening" piece Of advice that Maggie
took forthwith.
Nell went on with q stream of conver-
sation that was entirely on her own side,
and in the midst of other matters, gave
this bit of information:
"You see am going to put boquct ON
each lady's plate-isn't that pretty idea?
/ SAW il in book-but / am going to
make yours different from the rest. know
somebody that likes to wear n knot Of flow
erS in his coat button-holc, so in the centre
of your boquet you win find n few moss
rose buds fastened by themselves, and ar
ranged so that YOU can draw them out and
not pull the rest TO picccs-that's a real
cute thought of mine, and I'm proud OF
il. Now be sure to give II to him. l shall
tell him to expect it; don't you disappoint
Mr.. +. b."
And then she talked away about some
thing else.
Alas! Maggie had not hcarl. A little
tired and rather heated, Sleepy Hollow and
the cool room were too much for her: she
sank into brief slumbcr. Her nap was
n short one, but quite long enough to do
the mischief. She didn't hear u word
about the boquet. Now comes in my
proof of trifes.
Had Aunt Peggy been in Sleepy Hol-
low Maggie would have staid out, and she
could not have sunk into forgetfulness In
any Of the other chairs. But what took
Aunt Peggy out of that bewitching nook7
The cat running across the yard with n
chicken in its mouth. Young chickens
Of late had disappeared mysteriously,
The cook accused the cat, but Aunt Peggy
said puss should not be convicted on any
thing but the most direct proof; she turned
up her nose at clrcumstantial evidence;
but here was a proof the most conclusive
Aunt Peggy's eyes were good. and she wa,
sure that she bcheld the pcriidious cat with
little yellow ball Of n chicken partly out
of her mouth; besides, there was "Old
Spccklen herself changing after the enemy
with her feathers ruiiled To the last degree
and followed by her piping brood scream
Ing Mt her heels. Out trotted Aunt Pegg,
to condemn the offender. and so Sleep,
Hollow was empty, and Maggie sat in ]
and slumbercd. and finally came to pro
longod sorrow of heart because OF thl