Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-02-01

invitation. Why, she could more easily
have given up the concern than have
had one solitary being matlo unhappy
by neglect! Indeed, if Lu Waters had
not suggested it, such cruel PROPOSE
ton would not have enterod Patia's
head and Us LII Waters was never
taught better ut home, allowance must
TO made for her. If we look back of
things in this world, wo always have to
be charitable, girls.
My little heroine had not sailed into
smooth seas yet, however. Tho girls
was delighted with their cards, and
ready enough to como; but Rachel
Peters must have doll, and of large
assortment only two wero fit to exhibit
ut reception. Patia thought soberly.
Rosabolla, tho eldest of her family.
was slightly discolored by age, and tie
finest arrangement of gown and hat
would not cover several large cracks on
the back of her neck and head.
"Sho only needs trepanning to make
beaaty of her." Fred Grant declared,
and whom his sister asked the meaning
Of that fearful word. he explained that
doctors could enlarge peoples brains
by boring into their skulls; one add.
tional seam would divide Miss Rosa
bella's "top-knot" into o chart, and
DIR. Fred was aching to practice sur.
gerry!
Patia was fond of her shabby doll,
as mothers are of their homely chill
dren. "She is good and useful,
and had so much comfort with her
before the Countless came" was her
reflection that night as she opened a
bureau drawer. Under sheet of cot-
ten batting lay the Countless, large
and splendid wax doll; royal lady
every inch. Patia held her up to the
light. while her fair curls glittered ; her
pink satin dress, with its gold trim
mings and black velvet bodice, was
good enough for Victoria, and her
siiken hose and satin slippers were so
perfect fit beside the clothes she
wore, was a plumed hat ind a velvet
mantle in shiny bandbox made for
them.
Only last week Mrs. Grants sister in
Paris had sent tho lovely Countess, as
a present to her pet niece; at the recep.
ton Patia was to introduce her to
American society, but
Rachel Peters is coming, and I
shall be mean if l give her old Rosa
bella to hold, the poor child said, with
her eyes full of tears. Wouldn't you
have cried too2
1t is easy to say that a shabby doll
is much better than none, that the fad
ed and limp clothing would suit better
the style of her visitor; but Patia hud
been told to reason in a moro liberal
way. Gas you would that others"
and the rest the words kept floating
round her and did their work faithful
~.
Saturday afternoon was SO bright and
warm, it was plain that nobody beside
Patia Grant was holding reception.
Birds and bees and wind and sunbeams
fastened to that feast where the guests
are never crowded, and the world may
look on at the merry-making.
There are few pleasanter sights than
cluster of little girls, dressed in their
incest and behaving their best, -Imean
"old-fashioned' children, of whom
there are still specimens in hooks and
corners of the earth.
Lu Waters was somewhat uneasy in
q white robe rufiled to the waist, and
Patia noticed that she stood most Of
the time lit was not designed to sit
down in); but she looked as dainty as
''Countess," who was being handed
about in the midst of loud exclama-
tiOns over her beauty and magnifcence.
"Why if there isn't Rachel Peters,
dressed" The speaker stopped at
this word, uttered rs slowly as il poor
Rachel went undressed to school.
Dressed how2" asked Lu Waters,
hastily, turning rs the gate opened to
admit new conner, and whispering to
her next neighbor, "Who has fixed her
upf"
A buff calico and white apron, new
pair of shoes, and straw hat trim
med with blue were becoming enough
to the little girl, who was neither awk-
ward nor plain when tolerably clad.
She looked 80 smiling and happy in
her fresh suit, I think she met with
perhaps warmer greeting than any of
the company, for while they wondered
at the improvement, the children were
glad to see it, and anxious to put her
at ease. l.
Nell Grant might have told story,
but she never did; 80 will leave you
to guess through whose means Rachel's
good fortune came to her.
"Am I to hold this2 I 'ad rather
take your every day baby, Patia, +" she
said, when the wax doll was laid in
her arms by it's fortunate owner. 81
like best to look at this one withou ut
touching her, for fear of doing mis-
chief" And abe persisted, though
Patia was sincere In offering her the
Countess.
Between ourselves, Patia found her
ladyship rather dull, as very fine peo-
pie are apt to be, when they move BY
rule and haze only splendid cheeks and
clothes to exhibit.
Rosabella could be rugged in several
costumes, and unless one svould take q
rear view she was quite good looking;
misfortune gave pensive expression
to her SCARED face; while the Ooun-
tess smiled blankly, and was sewed
into her satin gown.
Nell Grant lowered about the party
at respectable distance, appearing
directly If she were needed, and van.
ishing when she could be spared. One
pair Of grateful eyes followed her fit
ting, and now and then q brown hand
was slipped into hers for confding
press, after which Mrs. Grant was in.
formed that Rachel Peters was dear
child, and deserved encouraging.
Patia, tired and satisfied, stood at
the gate bidding god night to the
company as they departed, and as the
last couple strolled of she heard them
saying, eagerly, "Havent you had q
splendid timer"
80 yes, perfect but do you sec any
difference between party and recep-
tion9 I don't"
"Not a bit; Iguess Patia don't, ex-
cePt one is big word and the other
little /"
And Patia thought them about right.
Our Young F0lks.
Curious Indian Custom.
The Syracuse Journal, of the 18th,
recounts the following curious Indian
ceremony:
In accordance with the custom which
has prevailed among the Onondaga
Indians from a period SO remote that
it is lost in q dim myth, the tribe yes
terday celebrated the solemn sacrifice
of the White Dog. This ceremony al
ways takes place during the old moon
nearest to the month of February, It
seems to have an astronomical as we'll
as religious meaning, and ono who
witnesses tho ceremonies almost fancies
that he detects q fr8ca of tho Enu,,&;a,,