Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-31
A GIRLS GOOD SENSE.

minnie Minnie is my chocolate
near ready?
1t was scrupulously neat and dainty
in all its appointments, the little parlor
where Mrs Brighton sat, although the
carpet was tissue of darns, the furni-
ture faded, and the hearth rug skill
fully eked out by a piece Of quite an
other fabric inserted in the spot most
worn. A few flowers, III slender
throated vase, stood on the antique,
claw-legsed table, the fender-irons gilt
tered like gold, and the thin muslin
curtains, artistically mended here and
there, were white as snow; and Mrs.
Brighton herself looked like Cinderil-
las god-mother, in her dress of ancient
brocade, best yellow lace, and the rings
glittering on her small, shriveled hands.
Eighty years old, and lady to the
asst !! That was something to be proud
Of What though paralysis had robbed
her Of all use of those daintily slipper
ed feet-what though the grand house
she had entered as a bride was now mar
rowed down to this one room in sec
'ond rate building, where two other
families also set up their household
altars-she was lady still, and she
could boast that she never had de-
graded herself to commonplace toll.
'tOur means are limited said old
Mrs. Brighton, with the lofty air of a
duchess; 'sbut the pension of my son,
the colonel-who, as you probably re-
member. was killed on the Florida
frontier-is sufficient to maintain myself
and my two granddaughters-and we
are ladies'
Minnie Brighton presently came in
with her little chocolataire on a napkin
covered tray, and slices of toast, exqu1s-
ltely Drowned and cut as thin as
wafer.
Il hope you haven't been kept wait
ng. grandma?'' she said.
My DEAR with an air OF mild
resignation-''I am accustomed to
wait"
"Oh, Tn SO sorry! But our fire is
out, and I had to run and borrow the
use OF Mrs. fuckers stove to boil the
chocolate, and
Mrs. Creighton contracted her sllvery
brow.
"The Breightons are not a borrowing
race, Minnie. .
"Shall get you an egg, grandmam
map
''No, if the fire is out, my dear.
And Grandmam ma Brighton went or
with her breakfast, wearing an injured
air, while Minnie went back to the othel
room, where she sat with her twin sister
eogitating.
Anna Creighton was as pretty as Min
ME, but IN different style. She was
dark, with melting, almond shaped eyes
and olive skin, and lips like a pome
granite flower, so perfectly shaped, sc
richly red; while Minnie was tall ano
slender, and fair as daisy.
Anna laid down slip OF greasy paper
as Minnie entered.
It's the grocer's bill again, sister
What shall we do 2"
Minnie sank into chair.
And the gas yesterday, and the land
lord not paid, and the nursery Is empt,
as-Mother Hubbard's cupboard. VIVA
shall we do?
That's the question" sad Anna, re
hectively arching her jetty brows. 81
we can only keep it from grandmamma.
: We must, . retorted Minnie, with
decisive nod. cit would Kill her. L
We were mel, now, Nanny, we could gt
'ouf ana get job Of wood-sawing, OF
shouse-painting, Or"
And why can't we now?"
" why? Because Pat O'Neil has got
al Mrs. Barker's wood to saw, and be
cause We can't climb ladders with paint
pots over our shoulders
But we can do something else, ]
suppose. Listen, Minnie-money We
must haye." - 81