Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-10
MISS POP.IN.
BYM. NJ. PARKER.

WE. that IS. father, mother, sister Car
RE and myself, had lived in Weston only
little more than a year. 1t was, Ike
MANY other New England villages, very
pleasant in the summer, with It's broad
shady streets, and equally gay IN the WIN
ter
By the death of distant relative,
mother had come into possession or a
large house in the village, with several
acres of fruit growing land two or three
miles from the dwelling. Fathers health
at the time necessitated his giving up his
manufacturing business in the city, and
going where he would be freed from near
" ali labor, unless indeed it was pleasant
-of-door exercise SO to Weston we
came, merry family, and found the
town so pleasant, the society SO good,
barring one or two eccentrlclties, that we
were already on familiar footing with
the majority.
Brother Ned was in college, but had
been spending the holidays with US,
bringing with him his particular friend
and college chUm, Burt Newberry. Then
too, we had 'small regiment" as father
termed it, visiting us from the city.
Carrie, Of course, had her intimate
friends, some half dozen, who must be
invited with their Accomplishments of
brothers or cousins. | had three especial
pets, from the ages of seven to twelve
years, for [ found most Of my warm
friends among the children, and one very
dear friend of my own age. Mother, too,
had entertained sister and family, con-
sisting of four, making in all sixteen, aside
from Ned and his friend.
Some were only with Us during the hol-
iday week, but auntie and cousins had
heightened their visit to six weeks, and
Immediately after they left new relay
of cousins came, who were warmly wei
coined; but we had tired of company and
were longing for home quiet once more,
when they left, one morning in early
March.
Ned's friend Newberry having been
obliged to come to q neighboring town
on business for his father, had easily
been persuaded to spend the Sabbath
with US. Now, however, they had all
left, the house had been put in order, and
as we gathered after dinner in the pleas
ant family room, after little chat / ex-
claimed:
"Well, I shall no longer be kept from
my books; but oh haven't [ some glori-
Gus materials in the rough, for magazine
sketches!"
When Carrie interposed, Don't write
up our friends too real, Fanny Your
last take-of on cousin Bessie was ridicu-
lous."
Greatly, Carrie, you had too much pen
etration, only the faintest shadow of
cousin Bessie was worked upon in that
article. | must write a short letter to
little Annie Dawes this afternoon. Poor
child! I DON'T doubt but she already
FEELS neglected. Then | wish to weave a
few OF Nellie's sharp sayings into child s
story"
Mother kindly said Well, Fanny, you
have had so little time for writing, and
have been SO patient, I think you deserve
the next few weeks uninterrupted"
at that moment I espied a near neigh
Dor, one of our eccentricities, coming
down the street. and exclaimed, There
is Miss Pop-in carefully guiding her steps
over the ice"
Mother" queried Carrie, "it is 100 bad
for Fannie to nickname people SO con
stantly. Why do you allow it 2"
Before mother had time to enforce Car
rie's remarks, | asked, Did Ned tell
you the story about his Introduction to
her? It was in this wise. A day or two
! before he returned to college, we were
walking up from the post-otfice together,
when Miss Pop-in appeared before US. I
tried to escape with simple bow, but
failed. She stopped me, saying, "Well,
Miss Frances, | haven't seen you lately"
"No," Irephed, II have been quite busy
at home"
''Do you realize the sin O fiutterin'
away your days in folly and youthful
spirits?" was her next question.
why" exclaimed, do you call it
folly to entertain ones friends?" and hop
! ing to change the subject l said, 'You
have not met my brother, l believe;
brother Ned, Miss Perkins"
Ned made his lowest bow over her
hand as he said, II am delighted to form
your acquaintance; my sisters have so
often both written and spoken of you
that | already feel acquainted, Miss Pop
| in"
'sMy name is Perkins," she interrupted.
Ned stammered forth an apology, while
I said, excuse my brother, he is some
times little hard of hearing" and gave
| Ned's arm an outrageous pinch. We
/ left her meditating. Ned knew better,
| for l had told him that her name was
| Patsy O. Perkins-M;ss Pop-in, partly
from her initials, and partly because she
was always where she wasn't wanted.
"Good enough for you," Carrie ex-
claimed, 'you really need a few lessons"
Mother, she is at our gate, please
! don't make me sec her. Carrie, | pity
you," said, hastily leaving the room for
my own domicile, for Carries skillful fin
gers were fast tranforming a muslin
apron into an indescribable heap of ruff
| f1es and lace. If there was one thing in
the world that Carrie delighted in, it was
ruffies. Ruffles Of every width and va
riety decorated all her clothing, and I
| knew that Miss Perkins would read her a
| lecture on frivolities.
! had hardly commenced my letter to
| little Annie before the servant summon
| ed me to g below. ] saw no. help and
| yielded, mentally promising myself to re-
taliate on Carrie the first convenient op-
| portunity.
AS | entered the room, with crocheting
in my hand, Miss Perkins exclaimed,
well, Frances, | came over to spend the
rest O the day, and wanted to see the hui
family. Your mother said you was
writin', but Car'line sent for you. told
her that young folks did'n' min settin'
up late when they was d writin' love let
| ters."
Don't they?" I queried; "well, am
usually pretty fond of my sleep"
'You be? guess, though, you did'n'
! hev' much this winter. Great carryin's
on up here, warn't they?"
| Il don't know as there was" and wish
| ing to turn some Of the talk upon Carrie,
l asked, "Wouldn't you like some of my
| Ill L. IL