Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-06
A UNLUCKY DAY.

Nell had come down to breakfast with
her "grlef muscles" in full play. Per-
haps you do not happen to know what
the grief muscles" are, though. They
are, on the authority of Mr.. Darwin, those
muscles which, in some faces, act upon
the inner corners of the eyebrows, draw
ing them up in a pathetic little curve,
and giving to the whole face all express
sion OF pathos which nothing else can i'm
part. | have never seen face in which
these same muscles act as perfectly as in
Nell's; and as know the signs of the
times, ask what is the matter, as an
affectionate brother should.
"This is going to be an unlucky day."
says Nell, with deep sigh, and a more
rueful expression than ever upon her pref
ty face.
1t is very pretty little face, round and
fair, rose-tinted, and dimpled ravir,
lighted up by two deep blue innocent
eyes, and crowned by crisp waves of
bright brown hair-a very pretty little
face, and generally bright and cheerful
one. When Nell makes her little speech
about. the ''unlucky day." know what has
brought the cloud upon it.
my dear" say, sagely, "you are too
old for such follies. Have your repeated
youthful perusals Of R0somond instilled
no wisdom into your mind9 Do you not
know that whether day is lucky or I'M
lucky depends upon ourselves9"
II wish you wouldn't be- so deadly
WISE" says Nell with deep sigh. That
is the last and bitterest drop in the cup
otadversity. None Of my ill luck this
morning was of my own making-so,
now!"
That $50, now' is delivered so vicious
ly, and reminds me so forcibly of our
childish days, that laugh.
suppose you tell me what these dread:
full tribulations wcre?" say, soothingly,
for pathos is extremely unbecoming TO
Nell's style, and am proud enough of nv
little sister to like to see her always at
her best.
"Well," says Nell slowly, Gin the first
place, LETT my pet begonia on the win
dow-sill as often do. 1t is broad sill,
you know, and thought it safe; but the
wind came up in the night and blew it
down, and broke the pot''
''Shall I go and see about it," I asked,
half rising.
''No," said Nell, shaking her head; 81
did it myself. But don't you think, Cyril,
there was great earth-worm in the pot
OF all things on earth, I hate earth worms
and there was the great Shiny thing wrig-
Cling about on the floor of my room. l
had to take it up myself on the dust-pan,
and throw it out of the window. Ugh!'
eli the begonla was not seriously in
,jured," say, as Nell pauses for little
shudder, sit was very good thing that
the pot did break. The worm would
have killed the plant, sooner or later if it
had stayed there. Then just think how
uncomfortable the poor thing must have
been, all cranlpcd up in that little place.
AS tar as can see, your first piece of ill
luck was very good for all three of you
the begonia, the worm, and YOU
"Oo, he worm!" says Nell, scornfully
"But that is only the beginning. I
thought never should be ready for
breakfast, for every thing went wrong.
In the first place, l dropped one of my
jet earrings, spent quarter of an hour
in hunting for it, and only found it at
last by setting my foot on it and smash
lngit. And only think Cyril, cries Nell,
IN brisker tone, 'while I was looking
tor it found my pearl ring that thought
l had lost while We were out boating last
week. 1t was under corner of the carpet
where 1t might ave stald until we clean
hause again, if | hadn't just happened to
see it,
"Good luck out of ill again." say
"Besides, as this is furnished house. it
might haze lain there forever, if we leave
it next spring. What else?'
(Thc ring is worth ten times as much
as the broken earring, and 1 know that
Nell values it still more on other grounds
but of that say nothing1
"Then l could not get my hair up
right, do what 1 would, . says Nell. 81
took it down six times, and at last had to
let it go as it would"
(which happens to be the most be-
coming way IN which I ever saw YOU
wear it," say. "Take advantage of the
accident, and never wear it otherwise"
Nell's face dimples little-a very lit
tie. at that; but the look of care comes
down as she goes or.
II told boy yesterday to come this
morning to do a little wedding" she
says. "He came earlier than expected
and began on his own account. When /
went down to look after him, I found
that he had pulled up about half nv
mignonette.'
"Admirable!" say. sYou never have
the heart to thin out your flowers suffi-
GENTLY yourself. You will see that the
mignonettc he left will be the finest YOU
ever had"
81 wish you'd hush" walls Nell. dis
consolately. "Can't you let me be miser-
able If want to- There is nothing more
maddening than to have people persist in
being cheerful ov your misfortunes. It's
my ill luck and don't see why YOU need
meddle with it,"
lit will be my i'll luck if you don't
give me my breakfast pretty soon, say,
laughing, for Nell's eyes are twinkling
in spite of her savage words.
Nell pours out tie coffee while 1 carve
our favorlte dish-beefsteak and mushs
rooms. Nell just tastes hers, and law
down her knife and fork
''That is the cllmax!" she saws, with
the calmness Of despair.
I taste, and toen lay down my knife
and FORK also.
"What is it," ask.