The Russellville Democrat., 1877-05-03
why xe.,ie ,cas not Popular.

Why Nellie scas not Popular.
 "Well, Nellie, what is the matter 2" asked Miss Percy, as she seated herself in straw rocker on the piazza, where Nellie sat, chin in hand, pouting over a portfolio of prints that lay outspread before her.
 "Pm mad !" was the reply.
 "Mad7 That is distressing. I hope you don't bite,"
 "Oh, of course I don't mean thatl" said Nellie, turning away from the pict- ures with an injured air. "I am vexedY"
 "Then why did you say madf"
 "Oh, you are too particular, Aunt Alice! What do you think Kate Sibley has done ?"
 "I cannot imagine. "
 "Her mother gave her leave to invite three of the girls to go with her to the picnic in Cedar Creek, and she asked the Morrisons and Minnie Du Bose, and left me out, though have worked every one of her examples ever since we have been in Denominate Numbers. It is just the way with them all. I do everything they ask me to do. and they all hate me. I'll be even with them though-Pll hate them toe"
 And the future misanthrope began to sniffie and use her pockethandkerchief.
 "Don't you think it would be wiser plan to make them love you?" asked Miss Percy, gravely.
 "I can't do it /" replied chokey voice from behind the handkerchief.
 "I have tried. but ca-an't. They all like Rosa Guignard, who never does anything for any body, but-but-"
 As Nellie did not seem able to finish what she wished to say, Miss Percy came to her relief by observing quietly:
 "The girls all like Rosa on account of a very rare gift she possesses. "
 "Rose Guignard gifted ]" exclaimed Nellie, surprised into forgetfulness of her wrongs, "Why, Aunt Alice, she is away down in all her classes, and you know she isn't pretty-that is, until you get used to her."
 "But it IS much rarer gift than either intellect or beauty, that which Rosa possesses" returned Miss Percy.
 Nellie's red-rimmed eyes asked ques- tion to which Miss Percy replied with brevity "Tact.
 "lact? What is that?" asked Nellie.
 "I don't know any better difinition of the word than one great novelist has given: THAT is knowing what not to say.'"
 "Don't Iknow what not to say, Aunt Alice?" asked Nellie, after short sil- lence.
 No my dear; I don't think you do. You will take offense, probably, if l give you few examples as proofs of this but as am in your mothers place this summer, shall take the liberty ofspeak. ing plainly. Do you remember who were in the company yesterday when you coolly asserted that certain reli zion was nothing but mummery, and went sn to observe that, for your part you looked upon such 8 religionist as nc better than Mohammedan or & Jew ? J "There was Sc many-such roomfu that cannot 0 Aunt Alice dc remember now Mademoiselle- Durand was here, and she is member of tha' church. am sorry"
 "And Miss Lyons was here also, anc she is a devout Jewess. Did you notic' that she kissed Kate Sibley when sh' went away, and did not kiss you 2"
 !" Yes; and wondered what was tn matter. But mademoiselle kissed me.
 "Yes, mademoiselle kissed you, al though the flush had not died out of he cheeks which your thoughtless words ha called up.
 "Well, Aunt Alice. didn't mea any harm and you know eyerybod makes mistakes once in a while.
 "But you make mistakes great dei oftener than other people do, Shall