The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-10-14
Selert Stnry.
THE SCISSORS GRINDER.

"ls he really handsome r" SAID Flea
nor May incredulously.
"The haudsomest man you ever saw
10 your lile!" cried Olive Sstterly.s
She was sitting on the back door step.
shelling peas, with great cinnamon
bush shiYerlng it's pink petals down on
her brown head OF hair, and her hazel
eyes sparkled beneath their long lashes,
while Maude, the beauty Of the family,
leaning out of the window. her pretty
tresses screwed up in crimping papers,
and a gingham wrspper buttoned care
lessly at the throat, with no ornamental
accessories in the way of collars, frills
or ribbons; for Maude had been to a
party the night before, and had slept late,
scolded her mother because the coffee
was cold, and absolutely declined any
interference with the household affairs
that morning.
"Exactly like Colsair," said Maude,
suppressing a yawn. "Tall and dark,
with such a great diamond on his little
finger, and eyes like cherry wine. And
be was so surprised to think recogniz-
ed him through his disguised -
"What costume did he assume p
asked Eleanor May, who, not having re-
ceived an invitation to the fancy dress
ball at Mrs. Pipington's was naturally
exceedingly inquisitive on the subject.
"a pirate" said Maude, "with velvet
cap, you know, and scarlet sash and a
cutlass. And he declared that be would
disguise himself SO completely the next
time that | could not possibly identity
him, and be, wagered q box of kid gloves
on the question"
II suppose he means at Lizzie Hook
er's birthday partyp" said Olive.
s.Of course" said Maude. =. g
II wish could CO." said Olive, work
ing diligently away at the peas, that
dropped like'emerald rain into the shin
ing tin pan. g l'sl..s - ~
"well, you can't" replied Maude,
shortly. "Mamma says she can't afford
two fancy dresses. and am the oldest"
"Yes. / know said Olive, meekly.
"And Mr.. .Medlicote danced only once
with you last night" added Maude, una
BILE to express the exultation, "and be
waltzed with me three times, besides the
German !" ..s
Little Olive. looking shyly at her sis
ter, wishing that Providence had seen fit
to make her q beauty.
81 suppose" said Miss May curiously,
''that he is rich p
aOh, very," nodded Maude. -
And Olives thoughts jumped OF once
at the idea of how beautiful her sister
would look in the regulation orange
blossoms and white tuIle.
81 wonder il ever I shall be married ?
pondered Olive, shelling peas faster than
ever. =.
"Who's that coming round the corner
of the house 90 cried Maude, with some
asperity. "One OF those everlasting
peddlers again. Oh, it's only scissors
grinder"
Sand very fortunate, too," said Mrs
Satterly, q pale, overworked little wo-
man, with light hair and faded complex
ion, ssfor my shears are so bad can't
cut with 'em. And there's the embroid-
cry shears, and the shears that belong to
the mending basket, and"
"How much do you ask pair ?" de-
manded Maude, sailing out upon the gar
den path, with her pretty feet thrust into
slipshod slippers, soiIed wrapper torn on
one side, and her hair yet in the loose,
tangled curls which had hung down her
neck the night before. 9e
The mana swart-bro wed, STOPPING
foreigner-set bis wheel upon the grass,
bowed low, with smile, which disclos-
ed teeth cleaning Whitley through his
bushy beard, and held up six fingers in
pant6mimic gestures. ''hsd i' siea
"That's too much," said Maude. g
ale can't understand you," said Ele-
amor laughing.
Miss Satterly shook her head stamped
the little untidy foot, held up six pairs of
scissors in various stages of dilapidation,
and displayed quarter of dollar.
The scissors grinder smiled again, and
made an obeisance nearly to the ground,
and assented to the bargain with various
mods and signs.
.sIsn't he tunnv2" said Eleanor.
"Horrid, velveteen-coated fellow"
said Maude. 'To think he belongs to
the same humanity as my divine Alger-
non!'
ale looks tired and thirsty" said gen.
tle-hearted Olive. "Pve great mind to
offer him a cool drink"
"You'll do no such thing" said
Maude, imperiously. "I'll have no sis
ter of mine running to wait on scissors
grinders! Mamma, is that chocolate
ready yetr'