The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-15

knows about as much of civilized cooking
as wild Pawnee, Aunt Fanny and | sent
her up stairs about her business and if all
that isn't explanation enough"
Add that Miss Minnie seizes the oppor-
tunity to practice on US for the benefit OF
Mr.. Ned Wyndhams household mischiev-
ously put in Mrs. Heaton, appearing from
the next room with handkerchief tied over
her head.
rs that so. Minnie ?" asked Jack, after
sidered Minnie, who had fallen to beating
the eggs again with still greater energy,
which was perhaps what made her cheeks
so red.
"The idea !" answered Miss Minnie, with
a toss of the head that sent half score of
little curls flying loose. Before he can
have household he must have house
and though dare say the willis good enough,
if wait till he can take me home" and
Minnie completed her broken sentence with
an expressive flourish of the egg beater.
"Well but you can take him home then, "
said Mrs. Heaton. 1t comes to the same
thing"
Same difficulty in the way replied
palace out of a toad stool"
And if you were, would you make young
Wyndham King Toad? asked Jack, laugh
ingly, but watching her closely the while
"Oh, you uncivlized John did you new
er hear that direct questions were the bane
of existence exclaimed Minnie, vanishing
into the pantry in search of nutmeg crater,
as she said.
is it really true?" asked Jack of his
mother, in low voice.
Why, where have you been ?" answered
Mrs. Heaton, in the same tone.
1t was scarcely week later that Mrs.
Heaton was thrown into a regular furry by
observing what looked suspiciously like
building preparations in the vacant lot ad-
joining, an open green, forming a part of
their grounds. Had Jack sold it to some
building speculator This was an impor-
tant question under the circumstances, for,
as there was only the garden fence between,
great deal would be depending on the
sort of tenants the new house might have.
Mrs. Heaton could hardly wait Jacks COM
ing home to satisfy her impatience.
"Jack "-she began the attack directly
there seems to have been some kind of
building people in the vacant lot this morn.
ing"
Il know it," answered Jack and after a
little rorrsse9 rs9, il feet, feet ! sent them"
"Oh, Jack!" exclaimed his mother, re-
proachfully, Il never thought you would
have sold that ground"
Al haven't sold it," answered Jack; and
added, Z" | think of building myself"
You y" said Mrs. Heaton, in tone of
surprise of all the people in the
world, turning speculator! But now, my
my dear boy, have you considered the risk
you run? 1t is SO near disagreeable peo-
pie there could make themselves so perv
disagreeable to u.s."
new house who can disturb the peace of the
old one," replied Jack, with a smile. "Be-
sides, mother, it isn't even begun yet time
enough to worry when you see the states
on the roof and the chimney smoking"
All, that won't be long first, I'm afraid :"
said Mrs. Heaton, ruefully.
Il hope not" rejoined her son. "I'm
bound to get the thing through as soon as
possible"
But what for?" replied Mrs. Heaton !;
" what good is it all going to do?"
"Oh, building pays" answered Jack,
vaguely, and changed the subject
1t looked as if Jack meant to lose no
time from the way things went ahead. Min
ME declared that he made some unholy COM
pact, and that invisible hands at night took
up the work where his Irish hod carriers had
left it. And certainly the house-that is,
myself, you understand-grew with rapid
ity that gave some color to her accusation.
Finally the day came when | stood finish
ed from head to foot, or, if you prefer it,
from roof to basement. And though [ say
it, that perhaps should not say it, l was a
handsome structure. I had piazza, bal
cOny, bay window; no modern improve
ment or adornment had been spared on me,
1 was as yet empty, to be sure, but that was
lack easily supplied all the more easily
that Jack the very evening | was done
brought over his womankind, with the addi-
tion of young Ned Wyndham who happened
to be making call at the old house, to give
their united voice about the furnishing.
| remember just how the party looked as
they entered. Minnie came in first of all.
She wore thin white dress, covered with
hounces and pufings, and the folds of which
she had gathered up out of the dust, SO that
had peep at the rosettes on her high
heeled slippers. Her black wavy hair had
a red rosebud on the left side, to balance
the pink dimple in her right cheek, | sup
pose, and her black eyes were wide open
and sparkling. Altogether / approved of
her, and if l had not been afraid, being so
new, of doing some harm to myself, | should
have given some sign of satisfaction. Ned
Wyndham followed her. quite an elegant
looking young fellow, with white hands and
tawny mustache, and who--tkat | saw at
once-admired her quite as much as [ did.
Jack and his mother brought up the rear,
Jack carrying notebook and pencil, and
Mrs. Heaton with look of surprise and re-
monstrance on her face. She was speaking
as she entered.
But, my dear boy" she said, 1 can not
conceive why you should want to throw
away your money on this house," Now
tins of course was not pleasant for me to
listen to, but resolved to hear further, and
not take any hasty prejudices 1t ism t
every body, you know, she continued, "who
cares to take furnished house,
:" And it isn't every body Iwould let it
to- answered Jack. Have you forgotten
our agreement. mother? [ mean to have
nice people in here, so must bait my trap
accordingly. That's why ] have brought
you all over this evening to give me the
oeneht OF your taste. Come, won't some
body begin?"
Oh, what dear little bay-window room !"
here cried Minnie, who had been flitting
about without much attending to the 9th,
ers. "lf 1t were my house | should make