The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1874-09-16

It was in the month of September
that the old doctor and Mrs. Darling
made up their minds to invite Miss
Bradbury to tea.
"We will have pound cake and pre-
served blaekberries, " said Mrs. Darling,
who always looked at the material side
of things.
"And if Harry don't come to terms
now, he never will, added her husband,
who didn't.
tsGet out the best china, and the
chased silver tea service, Ursula, said
Mrs. Darling.
"And wear your pink French calico,
child: it's the most becoming dress you
have" said her uncle, with q loving
glance at the bright little brunette.
And Ursula Percy obeyed both their
mandates.
Miss Bradbury oame-a handsome,
showy lady, with smooth "society"
manner that made Ursula feel herself
very countrifed and common indeed.
Delicious preserves these !" said
Miss Bradbury.
"Thay are of Ursula's making" said
Mrs. Darling, And Harry Clifford
/ passed his plate for second supply.
"I remember the day they we're
brewed, or baked, or whatever it is you
call it,9 said he, with an arch glance at
| Ursula.
Suddenly old Mr.. Darling grew pur-
pie in the face, and began to cough VIC.
lently. Every one started up.
ssIIe's swallowed the spoon I" cried
/ Miss Bradbury
! "Ol OIL he got the apoplexy r
screamed Mrs. Darling, hysterically.
/ Uncle dearest uncle r piped up
poor little Ursula, vaguely catching at
q glass OF water,
1 But DIR. Darling recovered without
any more disastrous symptoms.
1T isn't the spoon, and / don't come
OF an apop1ectic family" said he.
"But, upon my word, this is about the
biggest blackberry I ever came peril
ously near swallowingi" And he lheld
out his wife's pearl brooch boiled mp In
4 the bIackberrieg.
There was a momentary silence
around the table; and then IT was bro
ken by Mrs. Darling-one of those
blessed old ladies who never see an
inch beyond their noses.
i My goodness gracious !" said Mrs.
Darling " how could It ever have come
into the preserved blackberries l.
don't--see--"
"But / do r. slid DR.. Darling, look
ing provokingly knowing. !" YES, see
1 a good many things now that / didn't
/ see before.
4 And Harry, eianoing across the table
at Ursula, was somewhat consoled to
perceive that her cheek was shade
more scarlet, If chat were possible, than
his own.
/ He followed the doctor into bis office
when the evening meal was concluded.
Ursula did not know how she ever would
have lived through it were it not for
i Mrs. Darling's delightful obtuseness,
and Sophy Bradbury's surface view Of
the matter.
doctor he began valiantly; but
the old gentleman interrupted him.
There's no need OF any explanation,
@rny boy. y said he. g I know now Why
fyou didn't want to marry Miss Brad
bury. And I don't ssy that blame you
much only / came near choking to
death with Ursula's ckberry jam.
And DIR. Darling laughed again until,
had his Spouse been present. she would
have Thought second attack of apo.
plexv among the inevitablas.
Little Ursula I" he added, "whc
would have thoughti it? Well, you shat
have my blessing.
The pearls were oil discolored, ant
the geld Of the pld-fashioned broocf
tarnishad with the alchemy of cooking
but Ursula keeps that old ornament
vet, more tenderly treasured than 81
q fhe Ynoderu lynick-knacks with which hel
Young husband loads her toilet-table
And every year, when she preserves hel
blackberries, DR.. Darling comes TO tei
and makes ponderous wittcismss pre-
tending 10 search IL the crystal preserv'
dish for ! g boiled brooch Z!
But then jolly old geEtlemen WI
have their jokes,
s=ssssssssssss.--s.ssss.