The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-08-18

tIldH size gave neT CIcul1 Aoi tudt SIN
would learn to cook in spite of this dis
couraging prophecy. 1t is just possible
grandma knew who she was talking to
"Then, as to the promise. Pm going
to send you over motto-one of those
painted gimcracks everybody hangs uI
everywhere / don't see why they cal
them illuminated, Pm sure, except by
the rule of contraries, for they need ex.
ira spectacIes and a calcium light to read
them by; but you can read mine; ]
warned off the curlicues; only promise
to read it every morning before break
fast, or can tell you you won't get the
tea-set"
ooh, yes, of course I'll read it, grand
ma-the ideap'
Well, well, if you read it you'll
think about it, I'll warrant. Now |
must go home and send John over with
the things" and, with frosty little ca
ress ON MabePs fair cheek, and a nod to
her mother, the old lady went.
Grandma kisses me just like a clam
shell" said Mabel, in half soliloquy as
she sat down again by the window Her
mother could not help laughing, for the
cool nip of thin lips, that was grandma
substitute for kiss certainly did sug-
gest shells and clamminess. John came
directly back with the parcel, and Ma
bel eagerly united and unfolded it. The
motto was printed in large German text,
easy to read, though gay with gold and
colors, and it ran thus:
Take up the foxes, the little foxes
that spoil the vines, for our vines have
tender grapes"
Mabel stared.
Mother, what on earth does it ?"
Mrs. Lee smiled and sighed both, as
she read the legend over the girls shout
der. :" Look here, Mab," said she, slip
ping fiat gold hoop off her third finger,
and the girl read inside, "Beware of
little foxes!" and looked up, freshly
astonished, into her mothers face.
suppose grandma means to tell you
a story, Mabel, which she told me when
| was first engaged. 1t hurt her bitterly
to tell it. but it did me much good. /
think she could not bring herself to tell
you. You are not her daughter, and
cannot love her as | do, and you have
never had reason TO pity her as l have
You never saw Grandfather Jarvis,
Mabel"
Why, l thought he died before I was
BORN
No, he died ten years ago in Brazil.
| never saw him myself, Nab; he never
knew he had d daughter
Mother"
Mrs. Lees lovely dark eyes filled with
tears as she drew Mabel down beside her
on the sofa.
have been told that grandma was
very beautiful, high-spirited girl at your
age, dear, animated, brilliant, thoroughly
satisfied with herself and her surround
ings, especially when Jonathan Jarvis
fell in love with her. Her father died
when she was three years old, and her
invalid mother adored the child, and
spoiled her even more than | do YOU"
Mabel kissed the soft hand laid on her
shoulder, and gave it willful little bite.
" Don't be horrid, mamma, or I shall
eat you right up. As if / was one bit
spoiled"
eff you were not my child you would
not need grandma's lesson. She was
spoiled, as | said, and Jonathan Jarvis
knew it, but he was bewitched by her
spirit and beauty and thought, as men
are apt to think, that he could control
and cure all that. She loved him, too,
very deeply, after her fashion, and there
was nothing to delay their marriage, but
the day was scarcely fixed when her
mother suddenly sank and died. Grand
mother did not mourn SO hopelessly that
it was thought best to put off her mar
riage, though, out of respect to her moth
er's memory, there was no wedding party,
and the happy pair began their life at
once in the old homestead where grand
ma lives to-day.
"The outlook before these two was very
fair; youth, health, competency, what
seemed to be devoted love, made them
an apparently enviable couple, but no
sooner were these unbroken wills brought
into daily contact than trouble began
I" You may laugh, Mabel, but their first
trouble was about coffee pot Mother
preferred the old-fashioned urn, her hus-
band the newer style of pitcher. Meth
er would yield in a mere matter of taste,
and this was the beginning of evil.
"Silly? Yes, it looks wonderfully silly
to Us, but | think | heard very warm
discussion only yesterday on the proper
style of riding-hats for lady"
Mabel colored to to the waves of her
dark hair and tried to smile.
They come to compromise on this
matter agreeing to drink chocolate in
place of coffee; but other small disputes
followed; they all burnt in on grandma's
mind, but [ forgot most of them, so
slight and trivial were the matters of dis
cussion, though they grew to active
means of torment.
"a child was born, and Jonathan in
his sad and soreheart thought that would
bring peace, and his indignant and
grieved wife hoped it also, for each
blamed each other, as combatants will );
but the baby's eyes never saw their
strife; it died, and the hope died with it.