The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-07-25

Miss Graves, and, fixing her sharp eyes
upon her, said in very audible voice.
Miss Graves, what makes that big
thing grow on your back? Don't it
hurt you any?"
OF course Celestina Maria was sent
from the room in disgrace, and there
was painful and embarrassing silence
the face OF poor Miss Graves being dyed
with crimson.
Now the Widow was afraid that after
she had successfully angled for Mr..
Worthington, and brought him to the
house, her daughter might, by some
malapropos remark, spoil all her plans,
and send him away, never to return.
She would very willingly have dispensed
with the child's society. Indeed she
thoug hit of having her confined to her
chamber by some imaginary indisposi-
ton, but then it is doubtful if the little
girl would have acquiesced without a
great deal of fuss, and moreover it
might be considered indiscreet to have
no third person present. So she made
up her mind to make the best of it and
do what she could to insure silence and
correct conduct on the part of the .sen-
tant TERRIBLE"
Mr.. Worthington arrived about half
past four. His nose certainly was long
one. Speaking within bounds it was
about 80 per cent. longer than noses in
general, and being very thin besides,
its length was the more prominent and
remarkable. As soon as he entered the
room, Celestina Maria, as if fascinated,
fixed her eyes upon the remarkable or
gan. Perhaps Mr.. Worthington felt
the gaze, for he raised his handkerchief
three or four times, ostensibly to wipe
his face, but really to conceal his nose
temporarily, or SO Mrs. Wilkins
thought.
"Drat the child" she said to herself,
81 wish she would have the sense to
look somewhere else than at Mr..
Worthington's nose. She is the most
perverse child"
1t would not be interesting to narrate
the conversation, commencing with the
state of the weather, which passed be-
tween the widow and her guest during
the first half hour. At 5 O'Clock
the widow, feeling solicitous about
the supper, left the room to give direc-
tions about it, fearing the servant might
not quite understand what was re-
quired. With some misgivings she left
Celestina Maria to entertain her visitor.
That young lady, not being bashful,
edged up to the bachelor, who, feeling
less diffident with lady of nine than Of
thirty mine, invited her to place on
his knee. This she readily took.
"What is your name, my dear?'' he
asked
"Celestina Maria,'' was the reply.
"And how old are you?''
"Nine years old How old are you?"
"Ahem!" coughed the bachelor.
"Why do you ask?''
"'Cause | wanted to know whether
you are as old as my ma. She's forty
three, but she tells people she's thirty
three. What makes her do thatp l
want to be older so can be great big
woman, and do as l please"
Here was a revelation which would
have made the Widows hair stand on
end if she had only heard it. But for
tunately for her peace of mind she was
engaged with hospitable duties, and
unconscious of Celestina's remarks.
"Do you go to school?' asked the
bachelor.
"Yes, but 1 don't want to. 1 hate
studying
"You ought not to do that. You
wouldn't want to grow up Ignorant,
would you?"
"Couldn't get married if I was ig-
norant?" asked Celestina Maria.
"Ahem!' coughed the bachelor, 'you
are too young to think of that
Are you married?" asked the child
suddenly.
"No." said Mr.. Worthington, some
what embarrassed.
"Well, that's funny. You're old
enough to be, anyhow"
"I will wait for you, my DEAR
81 wouldn't want to marry you.''
Wouldn't youp Why notp"
"No, you're too old"
eyes, I am too old to marry, my
dear"
81 don't know" said Celestina Ma
ria, 81 guess mother would marry you. -
Mr.. Worthington blushed crimson, and
the blood settled at the end of his nose
which didn't improve his appearance.
I" You shouldn't talk so, my dear, !"
he said. "Your mother wouldn't like
to have you."
ST didn't Think said Celestina.
81 But you needn't tell, you know
"No, won't"
"How many teeth have you got?" in
quired the incorrigible child after a