The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-03-29

aP1oiO VI w Ut IOTC6O TO SIT at q
table with such people as the Hurds
and the Masons, and that Thyrza Green
and her lame brother, and that little
Old Wilmington and his granddaugh-
| ter, and -''
MIR. Mayberry, interrupted her gent
"Old Mr.. Wilmington was a friend
OF mine long before he went to India.
Since he came home with his sons
orphan daughter and lived in such OBJ
securlty-comfortable although plain.
for Winnie earns enough as daily gov
eaness to support them both cheaply-
L regard him as more worthy than
ever. Ernest, my boy, shall depend
upon you to help entertain our guests,
and especially at table, for l shall have
no servants about to scare them out of
their appetites."
And Mr.. Mayberry dismissed the SUBJ
Ject by arising from the table.
"Would like to gop Oh, grandpa,
should! Will we 60, do you think ?''
The little, wizened old man looked
fondly at her over his steel-rimmed
glasses.
$50 you'd like to accept Mr.. Nav
berry's invitation to dinner, eh, Win
ME? You wouldn't be ashamed of your
old-fashioned grandfather, eh, among
the fine folk of the family. Remark
ably fine folk, 1 hear, for all can re-
memember when Joe was a boy to-
gether with myself. Fine folk, Winnie,
and you think we'd better go?'
81 wonld like to 60, grandpa. l
don't have many recreations-I don't
want many, for 1 think contented hon
est labor is the grandest thing in the
world, and the best discipline-but,
somehow, can't tell why, but do
want ogo. I can wear my black cash.
mere, and you'll be so proud of me-"
"froud of you, indeed, my child, no
matter what you wear. Yes, We'll CO."
And thus it happened that among
the ten guests that sat down at Josiah
Mayberry's hospitable, overfowing
board that cold, blue-skied day, Win
ME Wilmington and the little old man
were two-and two to whom Ernest
Mayberry paid more devoted attention
than even his father had asked and de-
sired. ,.-...eg. .... o. ..- s.a
OF course it was a grand SUCCESSFUL
excepting the cold hauteur on Mrs. May
berry's aristocratic face, and that was
a failure, because no one took the least
notice of it, so much more powerful
were the influence of Mr.. Mayberry's
and Ernest's gentlemanly attentions.
(" l only hope you are satisfied, MRS.
Josiah said, with what was meant to
be whitening sarcasm, after the last
guest had gone, and she stood a mo-
ment before the fire; =" only hope you
are satisfied-particularly with the at
tention Ernest paid to that young
woman-very unnecessary attention, in
deed" ~
Mr.. Mayberry rubbed his hands to-
gether, briskly. , p .'' h
Satisfied? Yes, thankful to God I !
had it in my power to make them for
get their poverty, if for only one little |
hour. Did you see little Jimmy Hurd's
eyes glisten when Ernest gave him the
second triangle Of pie? Bless the young
sters' hearts, they won't want any thing
to eat for week." o
81 was speaking of the young wom-
an who-'' -
Mrs. Mayberry was icily severe, but
her husband cut it short.
$50 you were-pretty little thing as
ever l saw. A ladylike, graceful little
girl, with beautiful eyes enough to ex-
cuse the boy for admiring herr
"The boy. You seem to have for
gotten your son is 23-old enough to
fall in love with, and marry-even a
poor, unknown girl you were quixotic
enough to invite to your table,
"Twenty-threeP So he is. And if
be wants to marry beggar, and she is
q good, virtuous girl-why not?' |
A little gasp Of horror and dismay
was the only answer of which Mrs.
was capable.
"Grandpa!''
Winnie's voice was so low that Mr..
Wilmington only just heard it, and
when he looked up he saw the girls
crimson cheeks and her lovely, droop-
ng face.
"Yes, Winnie. You want to tell me
She went up behind him, and leaned
Ter hot cheek caressingly against his,
Ter sweet, low voice whispering her
answer af
Grandpa, want to tell you some
hing. I-Mr. May-we-Ernest has
wants me to-oh, grandpa,
amt you tell what it is?'
He felt her cheek grow hotter against
lis.
He reached up his hand and caressed
he other one. sttr..E
I" Yes, can tell, dear. Ernest has
hown his uncommon good sense by
wanting you for his wife. So this is