The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-09-01

OTaclOuS HeJer! You aNermlnJ Ell
you don't deserve to be pinched Now,
that old woman will stay to tea, whether
| ask her or not ~
When Lou and Nell were summoned
to supper, they found waiting, in the
ample dining-room, George, Will, and
Marin Sykes, in addition TO the farm
er's family.
"PrOvoking," muttered Nell, yet
flashing coquettish glance at the young
gentlemen, who were now eaborately
presented to her by farmer Smollet in
these terms:
"Allow me to introduce Mr.. William
Landseer, and his brother, George, my
nephews, both studying law at Har-
ward, and fust-rate fellers, whO've come
purpose to see you. Miss Louisa
Leighton, the celebrated author, young
gentlemen"
Nell stified a giggle, and, after that,
managed with dignity to assure the
youths of her pleasure in meeting them.
"HOw graceful and courteous ~
thought George.
"pll be hanged if she doesn't beat
every other girl of my acquaintance v'
thought Will.
AS for Lou, she was very serene un-
der the far less careful manner of their
introduction to her. But then she was
nobody, we must remember.
"YOuT sarvant, ma'am," said Marin
Sykes to Lou, ignoring the formality of
an introduction. "Ive took this 'ere
long walk purpus to git you to write a
couple of varses for my tombstone,
which Pve kept behind my head-board
for nigh upon twenty years. l never
wanted to forgit that in the midst of
e.. 81 rNf a
'em to be teching, and tell of all my
vartOos. Mrs. SmOllet will tell you
what I've been from my youth up.n
"You must apply to my friend" said
Lou, coldly.
ia, me! I thought farmer Smollet
was mistaken, l did! You don't mean
ter say that 'ere pink butterfly, with
the yaller hair a-fyin' all over her head,
is the writer, do ye ?" said Marin Sykes,
bending her spectacles upon Nell, who
tried to look wise and dignified. oval"
turning to Lou again, "ef she can write
the varses she may. But you look
powerful more sensible. Did you ever
try to write? Now, it's my 'pinion
you'd do a heap better'n that line than
she can"
And the old woman sighed, as she
turned from Lou to take IA second look
at Nell, who, good promised
to consider the epitaph.
al declare eff 1 wouldn't like yer pic
turu' broke out the delighted old lady,
soon after, completely captivated.
"Hou shall have it and welcome" an
swered Nell, bestOwing a cOmical glance
at Lou, who was calm as a saint.
"Here comes the boquet and the au-
tOgraph book ~ shouted jim, at which
the SmOllet family sighed in concert.
And soon beside NelPs plate lay the bo-
quet and the autograph book, while two
stiff females proceeded to watch her
critically.
Filled with pity, George and Will
devoted themselves to the business of
making themselves agreeable to Nell,
who, glorying in firtations, managed to
bewitch not only them, but Jim, who
kept fitting about, behind or before, as
there happened to be the best chance,
and signing dolorously, while wishing
he knew how to talk as well as his
really brilliant and attractive cousins
AS for Betsy Jane, short, thick,
freckled, red-haired girl, she mentally
declared, with Marin Sykes, that Lou
| looked far more sensible than Nell,
though it might have been because the
latter received all the attention.
/. While Nell, with a beau on each side,
and Jim in the rear, rOamed in the fra
grant fields, by twilight and moonlight,
talking of everything but literature,
! from which she wilfully kept clear, Lou
sat writing unmolested in her cham ber
| Marin Sykes, disgusted at having been
deserted, left for home soon after sup
per. So, also, did the other females.
"Ah ! how do you prosper ?' asked
Nell, bursting into the chamber about
eleven o'clock.
"Finely, thanks to you, my darling
Now own up, how many cOnquests have
you made? ?"
"Three, Lou; maybe four, if can in
clude the farmer himself, who just
treated me to Strawberries and cream
Oh! what goose to sit writing when
you might have so much sport ~
81 knew you'd get pleasure enough
out of the matter" said Lou, compla-
Gently, resuming her writing.
Come, aren't you about ready to
think of sleep?"
Hardly. 1 shall write an hour
longer"
"Indeed. You don't expect me to sit
up for you?"
"No, indeed, Nell. Let the beautiful
little authoress recruit herself for the
work on the promised yer ses. Ha! ha
You didn't think you'd be employed SC
soon ~
"Now, Lou, all such jobs that come
to me you are to perform, remember. ]
shouldn't twonder if L broughtyou plenty
of work"
mo matter, if you only keep me
from company! Now go to bed, there's
a dear, SOS to gather rosy cheeks for the
morrow"
"One word-how do you like the
youths ?p
Every well, 1 think, on the whole"
THAT George is quite bOyish, you
must know. Oh didn't l have tough
) work to stear clear of literature ~ And
Nellie laughed at the recollection
"What sort Of a poet was Byron, Lou
George asked me how 1 liked him, anC
J [ said at hap-hazard, He might have
been great deal better than he was,
. and he agreed with me, and went into
an analysis that saved ma from talking
about what didn't understand, which
was very kind in him, 1 think"
Lou laughed as she said, "If you are
always as non-committal, you will ge
, along famously."
The next morning Marin Sykes wa'
IN hand for. her verses, which Mel
passed her with becoming gravity. The
old lady donned her glasses and pro
ceeded to read. Nell retreated to a cor
. ner out of sight of George and Will
who, mindful of what was progressing
! | - Al