Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-06

heVed by his whispered explanation o
the true state OF the case, profusely illus
trated by frantic and cautious grabs a
the cause of his woes. Now, 1 ask
could any mortal maiden resist this, es
pecially in place where to laugh was t
feel herself forever disgracedP The very
sense of horror which she felt at the ide;
of her own uutimely leyity only hastene(
the explosion. A little half-smothereC
riyulet of laughter trickied ont; sham,
and fright only made matters worse
the laughter became uncomfortable, hy
sterical. until the welcome sound OF lie
us pray ~ enabled her 10 hide her blush
ing, sgonized face.
Now l had again and again explained
the circumstances to my mother, but il
was all in vsin.
"lf she had had proper sense OF the
Solemuity OF the place, she never would
have been tempted TO laugh" was al
that she would say, adding, as her ulti'
matum, "If ever You fad me gambling,
dancing, and laughing in church, l will
give my consent; but, until then, it is
quite useless to ask me-
And SO saying, my mother terminated
the argument by sweeping from the room,
leaving me to chew the cud OF sweet and
bitter reflections. How my mothers OBJ
iectious were TO be answered, | confess
that l could not see that she would eyel
change her mind OF her own accord,
knew her too well to imagine. Could
inveigle her into a iaro-bank under pre-
text of q prayer-meeting, engage her al
tention, and then bet in her name, per-
suading her aiterward that The act was
the effect of her own yolilion ? Hardly
feasible; and. even il practicable, how
were the other miracles TO be accom-
plished? Ny mother dancing my mother
laughing in church! Unless she joined
the Shakers. could not see how the first
was to be effected. As for the last,
monkeys might perch on sounding
boards and angle for clergymeu's wigs,
stray dogs might run amuck up and
down tue aisles, with sexton and Sunday
school children in full cry after them,
bats might flap and ciergymen blunder,
but | was quite sure that never n muscle
Of my mothers face would move.
With a sigh gave up the problem at
last. ami sailed forth, all unconscious
that fate was working for me in Il case
where l was utterly helpless.
IL.
Il had rained Tor u week-a driving,
easterly storm, with occasional interludeS
OF heavy, ioggy weather, low gray skies,
aud damp, raw air. My mothers chest
being weak, she was debarred from al
outdoor exercise during lis continuance,
and. soo.h 20 say, the time began to
hang very heavily upon her hands.
Reading IS al very well Tor a time, but
when you have all your lie been a
busting notable housekeeper, finding
your highest pleasure in new and recon
dite recipes, in scrupulous aud frequent
cleAnsiugs aud purltyings OF your doml-
Gle from cellar 10 gayret, your literary
tastes are apt to rust. la city bohd-
ing-house there il lit out ct for energy
in any housewiiely direction. Therefore
it was no wonder that ny mother soon
began TO stray about the parlors with u
ior.oru aud hopeless expression, visit
fully watching the yarious groups, each
deep in the mysteries oi cassiuo, Sancho
Pedro, or sucn ike unwho.esome diver
sion for cards just then happened to be
a mania with all ot US,
Suddenly, as | watched her on that
especial evening. saw her whole face
lish. up as she paused beside group OF
four who were collected around small
stand. Naturally strained my eyes and
ears TO learn what could have produced
thst look OF placid and profound salts
faction; but my observations were IN
vain, until one OF this group, rising with
an apology TO the rest, politely offered
his chair to my mother. Tie, being a
comparative stranger among US, knew
nothing OF her peculiar ideas, which
were no secret to the rest OF the house
saw thc look Of laughing dlsmay eX-
changed among these who were LETT
then, TO my uuboun1ed amazament, !
saw INV mother subside into the offered
chair. In another instant understood
il.
"Dominoes !" heard her say in a tone
of satisfaction. 81 have never played
them since | was a child, but was very
fond OF them then. You seem to be
playing some new game of which | dc
not know the rules; but il you will beal
with my ignorance for while, make NJ
doubt that | shall Learn them soon."
The others, with, l fancied, Sigh
hesitancy, began to instruct her in the
laws of the game. Soon l heard terms
flying freely-terms curiously familiar
but strange and uncanny as proceeding
from my mothers lips.
a flush" pair" a straight hush''
what could il all mean?