The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-10-26
GRACIE'S MEMORIAL.

GRACIE'S MEMORIAL.
1t was raining, and Oracle didn't like
that; she was looking very sober about
that and some other things. There was
company at Mr.. Gilmore's this evening
and she was invited, but her sensible
mother thought it. rained too hard tC
venture on a half-mile walk, and be-
sides didn't quite believe in parties fol
Woodworking school girls. Besides il
was Saturday evening; who ever hearC
of a worse evening on which to 90 to 6
party? The Sabbath-school lesson was
being studied, for Oracle always tool
care to be ready with that, but She sci
dom brought such Il frowning face tC
the work. She ratified over the words
very fast, 80 And these stones shall be
memorial to the children of Israe
forever oh dearr' These last two
words don't belong to the verse, but
Oracle spoke them as if they did. The
truth is she heard the clock strike eight
just then, and it reminded her that the
girls were going to start for Mr. Gil
more's at that hour.
"What a long face" said Harvey,
sit scares me-" Harvey was her col
lege brother, full of vacation and mis-
chief; he had pencil and paper before
him, but he did not seem to be very
busy. Oracle made no answer to his
remark, but went on with her studying
"Just hear how trains," her mother
said; ." it would have been a lovely
evening for you to have walked away
up to Mr.. Gilmore's, Oracle"
Miss Grace shifted scornfully Il am
not made of sugar" she said in any
thing but a respectful tone. Aftei
that she seemed shocked, and meekly
added that it was raining very hard.
Busy with thoughts of the party, there
presently came to her such memory
of the pleasant things that We're to have
been done that she mixed lesson and
word in very queer manner again.
So And Joshua set up twelve stones in
the midst of Jordan Do keep still!
What little nuisance YOU are!n
This meant Fanny, the four-year-old
sister, who was trying to slip through
very small space and reach her moth
er. Mr.. Thomas was reading the even
ing paper; he thought it Was time to
speak.
"Grace," he said severely, 81 am
astonished at you. What q name to
call your little sister! Don't let me
hear it again"
Horace left his books and went to the
window. g 1t is as dark as possible, y
he said. Mother, it is almost Won
der YOU consented to Lucy's GOING out
this evening""
This made Gracie's lip curl. "Lucy
can do anything she wants to-" she
said sharply, "because she is engaged.
| suppose the rain doesn't hurt a girl
after that"
For some reason Mrs. Thomas saw
fit not to notice her daughter Grace
this evening.
Il did almost enter a protest." she
said, "only there seemed to be good
deal depending on being there; it wasn't
mere matter of pleasure"
but, mother, she will get just as wet
as though it was a party" This was
Grace of course; she couldn't keep
still.
Grace" her father said again, {"
should be sorry to have to send a
young lady of your sense to her room
for rudeness, but you make it almost
necessary for me to do it. What can
be the matter?"
Grace got out her handkerchief and
wiped two great tears from her eyes.
"My head aches" she said, feeling
ashamed of herself, "and Pm all out of
sorts anyway"
Horace laughed, rather provokingly,
it must be confessed.
"No need to tell us that" he said;
"your face and words and manner all
proclaim it."
Now, people who are in i'll humor
don't like to be told of it, and Horace
was a minister and ought to have
known better. Grace gave him glance
that ought to have rebuked him, as she
muttered in a very undertone, mo
body asked for your opinion"
There were five long wrinkles on her
face after that by actual count, and
she went on with her memorial stones
in silence. She only spoke once, and
that was to say, Mother, I'm going
to bed"
Harvey had been busy with his pen
Gil and very much amused for some
time; he got up and made profound
bow, as he handed Oracle a card.
Give been engaged in making me-
mortal of this evening for your special
comfort and help" he said solemnly;
cit is intended to hang at the foot of
your bed and be studied at your leis-
ure." Now, what could Oracle do but
accept an innocent little card thus civil
ly offered9
"You will observe that it is also an
acrostic on your charming name,' ~
Harvey said as she left the room. Sc
curiosity prompted her to look at it as
soon as she reached her room, and here
is copy of it;
MEMORIAL OF AN HOUR.
o clock and 3 m. G runty.
s d" " 10m. II ude to mother.
8 " d" 10 m. A trifle milder
8 d" d" 20m. 9 ross as sixty.
$, " % m. Indignant at father.
Is &" " som. L nvious of Lucy.
Is d" " 35 m. T earful.
Is " d" 40m H eadachy.
lS &" " As m. q ut of sorts.