The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-07-12

Girl would have acquiesced without
GREAT. deal of fuss. and moreover u
might be considered indiscreet 10 have
no third person present. 80 she made
M her mind 10 make the best Of Il and
do what she could 10 insure silence and
correct c.nduct on the part OF the SEN
rant terrible !.
Mr.. Worthington arrived about nall
past four. His nose certainly was long
one. Speaking within bounds u was
about 80 per cent. longer than noses IN
general, and being very thin besides,
is length was the more prominent and
remarkable. As soon rs he entered the
room. Celestina Maria, as IL fascinated,
fixed her eyes upon the remarkable or
can. Perhaps Mr.. Worthington felt
the gaze, for he raised his handkerchief
three or four times, ostensibly 10 wipe
bis face, but really TO conceal his nose
temporarily, or so Mrs. wilkins
thought.
brat the child" she said TO herself,
al wish she would have the sense to
look somewhere else than at Mr..
Worthington's nose. She is the most
peryerse child"
II 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. Al 8 O'Clock
the widow, feeling solicitous about
the supper, left the room to give direc-
tons about il, fearing the servant might
not quite understand what was re-
ouired. 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 dearr he
asked
.Celestina Maria" was the reply.
"Ard how old are youP"
"Nine years old. How old are your"
"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 that? |
want TO be older so l can be great big
woman, and do as please
Here was a revelation which woHld
, have made the Widows hair stand on
end il 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 20 to schoolP" asked the
, bachelor.
Yes, but don't want to. ! hate
/ studying
You ought not to do that. You
; wouldn't want to grow up ignorant
would youP"
"Couldn't get married if | was ig
r norant?n asked Celestina Maria
"Aheml- coughed the bachelor, '.yol
! are too young to think Of that"
" Are you married." asked the child
> suddenly.
.No,'' said Mr.. worthington, some
I what embarrassed.
swell, that's funny. You're OLD
4 enough to be, anyhow"
81 will wait for you, my dear"
81 wouldn't want to marry you"
q +" Wouldn't you? Why not?r
! /" No, you're too DID,
"Yes, / am too old to marry, m,
DEAR
y II don't know" said Celestina Ma
/ ria, 81 guess mother would marry you.
d .Worthington blushed crimson, AM
! the blood settled ut the end Of his nos
|. which didn improve his appearance.
}. +" You shouldn't talk so, my dear,
4 he said. :. Your mother wouldn't Xix
il to have you"
i ~ didn't Think said Celestina
q i" But you needn't tell, you know"
a No, WON'T
; "How many teeth have you got?" in
r quired the incorrigible child after
3, slight pause
o Il don't know, I never counted
N How many have youP"
It "About 20 or so; but mine don
Of look as nice rs mas"
3 " Your ma has very pretty teeth"
80 Yes. she ought to have"
8. "Why do you say thatP"
a. .Canse she paid enough for 'en
OF Didn't you know she bought 'em fro
be the dentist, and paid an awful lot
he money for 'em. wish they didn't co
err 50 much; for ma said she couldn't bu
ID me new cloak this winter, cause 81
q, had 70 pay 50 much for her teeth"
Id . Really thought Mr.. Worthingto
he in perspiraiion, . this terrible child
Az likely to reveal to me all her mother
Is secrets. I wish her mother'd come i
ke l don't feel right listening to all a
q, says. wouldn't be her father for
r. good deal.-
r. Just then Mrs. wilkins did come !
or smiling and little flushed, having be-
&c in the warm kitchen. She could hard
N. have looked 50 compliment If she h
lie known how much Celestina Maria h'
'se revealed during her short absence fro
". the room.
he II am sorry to have left you so lonI