The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-03-29

promise never to be jealous again."
Aunt Jemima heaved sigh.
al suppose ii was his nature" she
continued. "The leopard's spots and
the Ethiopian's skin are hard to change,
and so was his jealousy.
He'd been just as good as pie, never
finding fault with me about glancing at
any one else, or taking me to task for
speaking to any of the beaux, for nearly
a month, when one day Rejoicing Peters,
an old maid, whe made dresses for most
of the families in our place, and who was
a fat, clumsy, queer-looking old soul,
came to our house to do up a weeks sew
ing.
"She was dreadfully lively critter,
considering her age and figure, and we
used to have good deal of rollicking
when she was round.
" Mother was always ready to laugh at
Rejoicing's capers, and never minded how
much she cut up in the evening, after
sewing hours were over.
Gone night father was away and Re.
joicing said to me:
"'Mima, I've mind to dress up in
the deacon's clothes, and pretend to your
mother that I'm stranger, come over
from Bungtown on particular business,
and see if she asks me to say all night
eco ahead says l. Pm in for any
fun
"And so I was, little thinking how it
would turn out for me.
81 wish you could have seen Rejoicing
Peters in my fathers Sunday suit He
was rather short and middling stout
man, but Rejoicing looked like wad.
ding old lubber in his clothes.
"She came to the front door, and,
would you believe it ? mother never knew
her, but took her tale for gospel truth,
and invited her in, and asked her to stop
all night.
"She called me down to entertain
her, while she went to fix some supper
and see that the spare room was in order.
"'This is brother Shocks, of Bung.
town, friend of your fathers, NINA,
she says. TRY and make him welcome
while I see to things
81 was looking for Cuthbert every min.
ute, and thought to myself how he'd
laugh to see Rejoicing's figure, when into
the room he walks and makes bow to
her, never suspecting that she was dressed
up.
81 was just going to laugh and tell
him, when that mischievous old maid
ups and makes him bow in return, and
says she:
"'Since Miss Jemima doesn't seem to
want to introduce me, I'll do it myself
Your servant, sir, Isaac Shocks. of Bung.
town, deacon and store-keeper, and q
great admirer Of this young lady here,
who ] hope to win for my bride"
. "With that she pumps herself down
beside me, puts one of her short fat arms
around my waist, and gave me such a
hug and sounding smack on my cheek
that poor Cuthbert fairly turned green.
"T have been deceived! he STAN
mered. IL have been basely deceived
"Of course you have, if you thought
you had any chance of winning this lady.
She's bespoke, sir-she's mine' cried
Rejoicing, smuggling up closer, and hug
ging me tighter than ever.
81 never saw anything like Cuthbert's
face! From green it turned deadly
white, and he tried to speak, but couldn't.
"Stopp cried /, getting alarmed. 4
can explain this all. 1t is only
'There is no need of explanation"
Numbered Cuthbert. ACTIONS are strong
er than words"
"And he pointed to that mischievous
critters arms, which were like wise
round me.
"Then he tore from the house as if he
was mad, and Rejoicing Peters rolled
over on the floor, laughing, ready to
choke herself.
"I've done you good turn, Nina,
she cried. Il have cured Cuthbert Jones
Of jealousy; for, when he hears that q
little, ugly, fat old maid reused the
green,eyed monster in him this time, he
will be so mortal ashamed of his folly