The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-16
OLD JANET.

Old Janet! 1t was an old nick
name that l had given her, though
we were children together, and she
six weeks my junior. She was ten
der, proud, humble, ull at once, and
more than all, she was rigidly just.
"Mind now, Teddy, I will tel
grandpapal" she said one day, when
coming unexpectedly to the stables
she surprised me leading out Bess
the bay mare, preparatory to q ride
into town. Bess was our grandfath
res pet mare, and no person was al
lowed to mount her except by per
mission, as a gracious favor.
By this time I was mounted anc
riding out Of the gate. But as
swept past her 1 looked back, and
pursing up my lips, sung out insult
ingly: "TelI-lale! tell-tale! Tel
tales, if you dare!" and so canteree
off. She did tell. I think that wher
I was punished, she suffered more
than I did. For two days would
not speak to her, and she moped
about the house with red eyes and
unkcmpt head. On the evening o.
the third day I was sitting in the
dining-room window waiting for tea
when Janet stole up to me with Q
shy, hesitating air.
"Won't you forgive me, Teddy
dear?" she whispered. I made nc
answer, but sat resolutcly gazing out
of the window at the red and bronzed
foliage tossed by the autumn winds.
IL am so sorry" A pair of quiver,
ing, wet lips were laid ou my hand
a slender brown arm stole about my
neck. "Please forgive me, TedI"
"What are you sorry abont?" !
asked, shortly.
80, Ted! | am~so sorry because
because you are so angry; and l was
80 sorry to SEQ you punished and
grandpapa SO angry. | would a
thousand times rather have been
punished in, your stead. Please
please forgive me, Tcddy-do!" !"
Tears were flowing plentifully, and
she was wiping them with her ruffled
muslin apron all in o mess.
"Well, them" I answered, notified
eff you arc really sorry, you just &C
without your supper tonight, as !
did that night, and then I'll make ii
all up with you" g
"Ol will you. truly?, Dear Ted
how good you are! I am so glad !
wish you had asked something hard
er of me. But-won't you kiss me-
Teddy-just once 2" ...r -. .
"To-morrow,"" 1 answered, turning
shortly away. "After it's all over
III kiss you, if you want. But moi
tonight" -. ... ....
avery well; tomorrow, then =
She took her little, wistful, tear-stain
ed face off to the other side of the
room, and sat penitently down by
the fire. She sat there quietly while
the bell rung and MY grandfather
and l took our places at the table. !
had pictured her, in my mind, with q
disgraced air going early, supperless
to bed, and I was not prepared fol
this. Grandfather missed her. She
always sat his right hand, feeding
out of his cup or plate, as the wilfu
fancy moved her, and he now pc
remptorily ordered her to her usua
scat by his side. :,
"Not tonight, please, dear dada!
she pleaded, without stirring; anc
when he asked her what was the
matter, went hurricdly on: ~ an
not To have any tea tonight. l dom
really mind it. It's nothing-ant
Teddy's going to forgive me-and-
he will kiss me in the morning-an(
wo are always going to be goot
friends after this-always, forever
Then her voice broke, and, with
rush of tears, she was away from tn
room, upstairs, to hide them out o
sight. ;.
$50, so! Master Theodore, that's it
is it?" Ny grandfather's sharp
needle-gun eyes seemed to shoot M
through and through. aLittle Jane
! is to be punished because she wa
honest enough to show you up il
fyour faithlessncss to me z" a.lys
Z mnttered something in reply no
tuuitc iatelligibie. q