The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-10-04
COrinne's Mistake.

Three merry girls entered the cars at
the terminus Of city road. They were
bright-eyed, intelligent, and full of fun.
ooh, do hope" said Annie Welsh,
arranging her skirt and her books COM
forta6ly, tive shan't have a single pas
seneer from here to Haight street. lust
want to talk and laugh, and act exactly
as I please, without the presence of
critical fourth"
.'Unless it should happen to be very
nice young gentleman, laughingly sup
plemented Corinne Baker.
"Anything but that" cried the first
speaker, with a grimace, adjusting veil
and curls, however. "I'm brimful of
mischief, and in such case l know
should do something detestable."
81 do hope we shall be alone, though"
said little Lottie Deering, the youngest of
the three, as she placed her books on the
cushion at her side. "It's so much better
fun to have the car all to ones self, or
selves"
"I'm afraid the fun must go by the
board, then" exclaimed Anne, "for |
see the funniest, plainest, homeliest old
woman coming right straight this way.
oh. misery she will surely spoil every
thing"
sand look at that Anticipated hand
bag-a century old, at the very least, !"
Corinpa or;ed- Did yon ever see such
relic of Noah's ark? And how ridicu-
lously she is dressed, I'm not so sure
but that we can have our fun after ALL
Meantime, bowed down by some in
trinity, dusty with day s ride, and really
Anticipated in garb and manner, the old
lady drew nearer and nearer to the car.
When she had gained it, her face bright
ened visibly at the sight of fresh young
girls. and in the kindness of her heart she
nodded as much as to say, MY dears,
you are all strangers to me, but am glad
to see you"
They did not, however, return the nod
but one by one they smiled, looked in
each others faces, and at last Uttered
audibly.
The poor old woman seemed shocked
at this incivility, and drew herself as far
from their vicinity as possible, while she
turned her keen eyes, that almost dis
proved her years-so large and black they
were-from their faces to other objects
outside.
Suddenly, Corinne, possessed as she
had said before, with the spirit of mischief
took up one of her school books, and
with q wink at Anne, began to read in a
low tone:
"She was the scrawniest, wierdest-
looking object, with wart on the bridge
of her nose, and crinkle-crankle bonnet
of an uncertain age, like its owner. All
she needed was broomstick and black
l. - s<nk
Here the mirth Of the thoughtless girls
became so audible that the reader was
forced to put some restraint upon her
fun-loving proclivities, and lay the book
aside.
"Here's Haight street," said Anne
ssCorinne, l never thought to tell you,
Uncle Hal brought US two Spitz dogs
YESTERDAY, white as wool, and as cunning
"a thew can be. Come home with me and
see them. 1t won't take five minutes
more, and perhaps I'll give you one of
them"
'sBut mamma expects company, and"
"Oh. bother! l tell you it won't take
five minutes longer. Come, there's q
darlinQ!r and the old lady sat looking
after them, as the girls tripped away in
high spirits, q sad expression On her care
worn face.
"Corinne," she murmured, Il thought
/ knew the face. / hope it was only
thoughtlessness," she added, and her lips
trembled. "But perhaps looked for too
much from Corry's child. And young
folks can't be expected to enter into the
feelings of the aged. But it is hard to be
90 disappointed" and she shook her head
dejectedly.
Meanwhile CorinnG had seen and ad-
mired the dogs, and the girls were about
parting. .,
"Come over to our house soon," said
Corinpe to Anne, ~ they stood on the
steps. 81 want to introduce you to one
of the Rrandsst old ladies-my mothers
auntI ] have never seen her myself, but
know / shall love her, for she saved
mamnas life at the risk of her own.