Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-11-27


grimace which made Polly laugh in
spite of herself, II wish the race Of
missionaries were extinct"
The country parson looked mildly up
from the second paragraph of his
Thirdly" as Lisbeth came in, smelling
of wild grapes, with an aureole Of yell
low hair about her face.
Papa" said she, "theres gentle
man in the parlor to see you, with n
carpet-bag and white neck-tie"
"Ah!" said the clergyman. ga WIS.,
itor, 1 suppose. He is most welcome.
But am Just at present deep in the
thread of a complicated po)emic theory.
Make my compliments to the gentle
man, Lisbeth, and beg his indulgence
for quarter of an hour or So" And
the parson dipped his pen resolutely
into the time-stained wooden standish,
as if he was determined to settle the
subject at once.
"But, papal" Lisbeth had caught at
his coat cuff to reclaim him temporarily
from the abysses of theological argu-
ment.
Eyes, my dears," looking absently at
her.
'Do you think he'll stay to din
ner?"
81 shall invite him, my dear, most as
surcdly."
Lisbeths countenance fell. "But,
papa," faltered she, there's nothing
but barley soup"
1--WE will serve it with the good old
fashioned sauce of welcome, my DEAR"
said the Reverend Mr.. Fem, with a
grave, sweet smile, "and | doubt not it
will SUFFICE"
Lisbeth hounced out of the room
with heightened color and quick, i'm
patient breath. "Papa's an angel" SAID
she to herself, ''but angels never were
adapted to get along in this work-a-day
world" She put her golden head into
the parlor door for an instant. Papa
is very busy with his Thirdly said she,
with rcgulsh twinkle in the deep hazel
eyes, :."and he begs you'll be good
enough to wait until he's through"
The stranger bowed, and looked more
embarrassed than ever, rs she answered:
"Oh, certainly, certainly. ! am in no
haste whatever"
And Lisbeth went back to her sister
Polly" said she, "what shall we do ?
Company to dinner, and nothing to give
them"
But we must have something" said
Polly. Put on your things, Lisbeth.
Go out and buy fowl, and quart of
potatoes, and a loaf of bread. And stop
at Mr.. Darkin's for a ounce of his best
tea and quarter of pound of but
ter"
Lisbeth opened her eyes very wide at
this extravaganza order.
ooh, you reckless Polly said she;
"and where are all the funds to come
from?'
Polly sighed softly. 81 shall have to
take the dried-cherry money" said she,
that was saving up for my fall hat
and gloves. But it isn't much matter.
dare say can manage very well with
the old ones for little while longer"
''It's shame" cried Lisbeth, vehem-
emily. And think how you toiled all
those hot summer days to pick and dry
those black ox-hearts."
There's no help for it, DEAR" said
Polly, gently. Get your hat on quick
there's no time to lose."
"But it isn't fair" protested Lisbeth.
"Why should all the travelling preachers
and book agents and mission collectors
come here and eat us out of house and
home? Why don't they they 60 to Mr..
Crocus?
Polly smiled. Because Mr.. Crocus
doesn't make them welcome, and papa
does," said she.
II do WONDER" cried Lisbeth, i'm
petuously, "if there is any other race
of men imposed upon as country min
listers are? Mark my words, Polly, I
neper, will mary "a"
But by this time Polly had tied on
her sisters straw hat, and twisted a
muslin scarf across her shoulders.
"Do make haste, DEAR" said she, in
accents of gentle entreaty, as she point
ed upward to the clock.
Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed
when Lisbeth came flying back, with
yellow tresses streaming behind, and
market-basket in her hand.
"There, Polly" cried she, in the clear
light voice of girlhood, as she deposited
plump chicken on the table, there's
your new hat; and there" as she laid
down a packet of groceries, "are your
gloves; and here" rafting out the po
tatoes, els my last chance for new
blue neck-tie! And l do hope, Polly
that they'll give the missionary the worst
kind of dyspepsia.
Lisbeth."
"Well, but ! d." saucily retorted the
girl, as she turned to put away her hat
And Oh, Polly"
Polly turned around with a start, a,
the changed tenor Of her sisters voice
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