Litchfield enquirer., 1876-02-10
From Blackwood's Magazine.l
 BEE OR gEATRIx.

Rude boy.
 l Will the day ever dawn when brothers will be heard 10 speak as befts their hum- ble station? Will sisters succeed in ex- tracing from those chubby lips anything approaching to respectful language? Will Beatrix ever prevail with Tom?
 We should say not Et.. 1 To begin with, Bee is half hearted about it. When there is no one else present, no spectator to see. no auditor to hear, she is ready to be Bet, Betty, Bee, anything and everything the boys choose to call her. She assists in their projects, overlooks their shortcomings, stands in the breach when the schoolroom revolts from the drawing-room, and is a useful, humble efficient companion.
 But down stairs the scene changes. l Beatrix expects to be Beatrix.
 She would. when there, fair. exact from Jack, Tom, and Charlie degree of sub servience, and likewise an amount or reti- | cence, which the poor lads do not under stand, and ore not disposed to submit to. l She thinks it mean of Charley to tell | aloud that she has been galloping bare- back on tho pony all the afternoon, and frowns him down accordingly; whereas poor Charlie regards it as feat worthy of l mention, and wonders what his sister would be at!
 Or Jack is delinquent. He complains, in no undertones certainly, that Betty has forgotten to send his macintosh to- be dried. He did not mind her taking the macintosh, but she ought to have sent it to the kitchen when she came in. .....
 Jack has generous 'nature, and his complaint is just. It is therefore incom- prehensible to him that Bee should crim- son up to the eyes, as she gracefully lounges over her embroidery by Lady Ad- elas side, and that she should seize the moment hen they meet alone in the gal lery afterwards. to reproach him for his rudeness and stupidity.
 Had he grudged her the use of his coat? had he net gone without himself, and got drenched, and never said word about it? It is tco bad to find fault with him for on- ly wishing to have it dried; she knew they were going out in the boat after dinner, and that was why he cared. and if she d1d the same thing again, he would just hide the macintosh, and that was all about it.
 Beatrix cannot make them compre- bend. .. ...-. .... ..,a -. .
 She has only been emancipated from schoolroom bondage few months ago, and it seems to her that she has overleapt great barrier. =. 2 --..g ...... r.e.s..-. In her inmost soul she loves her old ways as dearly as ever, but she regards them in something the same light as smuggler turned to coast guardsman may be supposed to view his former occupa- tiors.
 They go against hls conscience, but they are dear to his heart.
 To tie flies, manufacture nets, and cow l. lI Io l. oe A-H back reglons, is still delightful to our lit tie Bee; and she has no intention of fore- going her haunts, though the coast-guards- man must perforce ahjure his. .... .'..
 Such doings need not be ayerted to in polite circles. No one would ever suspect this graceful young model of fashion, if it were not for these boys, these dreadfully candid and superfuously communicative associates of hers.
 Has she no means of keeping them quiet?
 Many time Miss Oraeme sits on thorns in her pink embroidered muslin and pearls hearing what she dares not confute, and js' powerless to turn aside .
 Afterwards comes an encounter, of course, even while her outraged feelings warn her that it is unavailing.
 What con she mean? What have they done? What goose she is to think of such rubbish! -.... :..-....
 And this happens so often that the boys are growing weary of it, and Beatrix too.
 They are beginning to experience con- tempt for their sister, and she disgust at them.
 How will it end?
 Betty is gorgeous! Isn't she? Rath- er!' -s - V
 It is Tom who says it, Tom who opens his round eyes and his wide mouth, and emits the impassioned sentiment.
 They had been having most delight ful afternoon in their great, comfortable, untidy den at the back of the house; and Beatrix, bedaubed with paste, adhered to by many curly shaving. the very heart and soul of the proceedings, had betaken herself off at the sound of the dressing bell, more than half an hour before her brothers.
 Five minutes sufflced for their toilet.
 With shining, soapy faces, and unfas- tened sleeve links, they had torn down in the widest haste at the sharp summons of the second gong; but Bee has not appear ed.
 Dinner is announced, off they all file in procession, and as they pass, behold! the staircase is illuminated by radiant wis., lon. a picture. ... Beatrix, all in white, with silver stars that shiver and quiver in the lamp-light; great fuchsla bells hanging over her fair neck; locket, bracelets, sparkling buckles peeping out on liit tie white satin slippers. -Beatrix takes them all by storm, and Tom confesses it. afx7sFa Old Sir Charles gives grunt, and pass es forward. He had almost forgotten who was coming that evening, but for nobody will he alter his own peculiar costume, his ancient, quaintlY-cut swallow-tail, black 1 watered silk waistcoat, and light morning trousers, so out of all keeping that tkey nearly break Lady Graem's heart every time that the incongruity strikes her afresh. --- For no one will he change the huge. black satin stock wound twice round hls high. stiff. slightly frayed-oat shirt col lar
 She says he looks perfect guy, but he l does nots-he looks very dear, kind. clean. ! funnily dressed old gentleman. e. -s-', | But Lady Graem disapproves still more of her daughters appearance. Rich and sober is hergown attire. and the two extremes are unsuitable in her eyes. @ Ts--t 5a@ a@a aaafg~s Bee. my dear!" a s.,-afr s,f4--e. "Yes. mammal" ''This is too much, dear child A fam l fly party, your brother and one other gentleman: indeed, you look over-dressed, l my love- es +..<a.s,...,. t.,..l : You forget Miss Williams, mamma; we are not quite alone. And Arthur is SO particular, thought you would be sorry if he complainedfas 5,aoi 5 11n5a1 e1.a'Y White satin slipperslp murmnrs Lady Graeme, in a low reproachf1l aside, ,.,. Arthur alway looks at my shoes the first thing. You know. mamma, he used l to speakEto you about them.. ,5..au5 la,f,-