Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-04-29
From Ar,hur's Illu,t. ated Home Aagasinc.
THE RE ISON WHY.
BY BERTHA nEANE.

Matte said Mr.. Graham to his wife,
Rs tho door closed upon their visitor, i
do wish you would bo more cheerful.
You hardly spoke while Cousin Frank
WAS here, and looked Tor all the world Us
though some dreadful calamity was
about to hel"i you. Ii You have any re
, gard lor my feelings, DO try to DO more
like folks
Mis- Ggahams head bent lower over
, ,he little half finished dress upon which
She was working but she made no reply.
She VIZ. evidently accustomed 10 such
,omalks. Presently, bursting into tears,
-hc rose and left the room
'pshaw,' said her husband, Is with Il
clutemptnous smile he looked after her ;
that, always he way. You must speak
lQa woman jHSi 50, or she'll begin TO
sniycl say. Kate. addressing his sis.
ter, bright eyed. wide awakc-looking
woman OF some Thirty years, I used to
think that wQmea werc almost angels
, bai t'Vc come to the conclusion that they
are about rs iull of faults As we poor
devils are.
An amused expression on Mrs. Ly.
maps lace was her only answer.
Mr.. Graham SIT lor some minutes in
moody silence, and then said, reaching
ton his hat Is he spoke; Come, sis, let's
20 over to Uncle Johns. Wen be sure
TO lind smiling faces theye, apd can man.
asc, perhaps, 10 pass III evening very
pleasantly. It's Il pity u fellow can't
take some comfort ut home
It was aner considerable hesitation
that Mrs. Lyman replied.
'Weil. Charley, just wait until Berties
jacket is done, for he is very anxious to
wear it To school to- morrow; and then,
il Nellie is asieep'-glancing At The
cradle where lay the siS'Mop,bs- old ba'
by-'lll 90 Win YOU
As the clock struck seven the little gar.
ment was pronounced finished, and was
placed by the kind aunt where Beltie
could not fail TO see il when he first
awoke In the morning. Baby was now
soundly sleeping. and Mrs. Lyman, after
putting on her hat and shawl, stepped TO
the door OF her sisters room, and said,
Matte, we are going to Uncle Johns.
We shall not be absent long; but do not
sit up for US unless you choose to-
Very WELL was the reply, but the
tone In which the words were uttered,
told plainly that the speaker took but lit
tie interest in what was going on about
her.
Now, Charley said Mrs, Lyman, as
soon rs they were fairly in The street, i
shouldn't have consented 10 come with
you tonight, were it not that | wanted,
as Aunt Hannah used to say, 10 give you
a good big piece of my mind
why. what for Kate? What great
crime am guilty OF"
The crime OF destroying your own
happiness, and the happiness OF those
dearest TO YOU
What do you mean? What can you
mean ?'
Ithink, Charley, you spoke very harsh
ly to poor Matte tonight. could al
most have cried with her,
Perhaps | was rather cross; but Kate,
that woman tries my patience dreadIully.
She goes moping around, looking as for
lorn and dsconsolate as though she had
not friend in the world
There must be cause Tor it,
Yes, suppose; but think it would
puzzle Il lawyer to find out the cause
Don't you remember when she was
olberwlsc?"
Don't remember? / think | do
There wasn't as pretty girl for miles
around as Matte Standish was. ! was
proud OF her in my courting.days.'
Yes; | well remember what devot
ed lover you were. Our garden was rob