The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-11-08

OfoiJ "hOiO. UOH kEOW why Guoy
call them illuminated, I'm sure, except
by the rule of contraries, for they need
extra spectacles and calcium light to
read them by; but you can read mine
rubbed off the curlcues only promise
to read it every morning before break
fast, or I can tell you you won't get the
tea-set"
go yes, of course I'll read it, grand
ma-the idea p
"Well, well, if you read it, you'll
think about it, I'll warrant. Now I
must go home and send Johnny over
with the things )" and, with frosty lit
tie caress on Mabels fair cheek, and
nod to her mother, the old lady
went
"Grandma kisses me just like clam
shell, !" said Mabel, in half-soliloqny as
she sat down again by the window Her
mother--could not help laughing, for the
cool nip of thin lips, that was
grandma's substitute for a kiss, GER
tainly didsuggest shells and clamminess
John came directly back with the pack
age, and Mabel eagerly united and un-
folded 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 started.
Mother, what on earth does it
mean?"
Mrs. Lee smiled and sighed, both, as
she read the legend over the girls
shoulder. "Look here, Nab" said she,
slipping fiat gold loop over her third
finger, and the girl read inside, "Be-
ware of little foxes p and looked up,
freshly astonished, into her mothers
face.
Sc suppose grandma means me to tell
you story, Mabel, which she told me
when was first engaged. 1t hurt her
bitterly to tell it, but it did me much
good. I think she could not bring her
self to tell you. You are not her daugh-
ter, and cannot love her as [ do, and you
never have had reason to pity her as I
have. You never saw Grandfather Jar
Wis, Mabel
"Why, thought he died before was
born"
No, he died ten years ago in Brazil.
I never saw him myself, Nab; he never
knew he had daughter.
"Mother p
Mrs. Lees lovely dark eyes filed with
tears as she drew Mabel down beside her
on the sofa.
"I have been told that grandma was
very beautiful, high spirited girl at your
age, dear, animated, brilliant, thorough
| ly satisfied with herself and her sur
roundings, 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 I was one bit
spoiled !"
elf you were not my child you would
not need grandma's lesson. She was
spoiled, as 1 said, and Jonathan Jarvis
knew il, 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
mothers memory there was no wedding
party, and the happy pair began their
| life at once in the old homestead where
grandma lives to-day.
"The outlook before those 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.
"You may laugh, Mabel, but their
first dispute was about a coffee-pot.
Mother preferred the old-fashioned urn,
her husband the newer style of pitcher.
Neither would yield in mere matter of
taste, and this was the beginning of evil.
"Silly? Yes, it locks wonderfully
silly to US; but I think / heard a very
warm discussion only yesterday on the
proper style of riding-hats for a lady.
Mabel colored to the waves of her
dark hair and tried to smile.
"They came to a compromise on this
matter, agreeing to drink chocolate in
place of coffee; but other small disputes
followed; they all burnt in on grand
mas mind; but forget most of them,
so slight and trivial were the matters OF
discussion, though they grew to active
means of torment.
ga child was born, and Jonathan, III
his sad and sore heart, thought that
would bring peace, and his indignant
and grieved wife hoped it also, for each
blamed the other, as combatants viii, but
the baby's eyes never saw their strife, il
died, and the hope died with it. Little
frets are what wear away love and life
!. Mabel. My poor father and my poor
mother! There was no kindly friend te
| cau q iudicinus word To either TheJ