Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-08-07
THE SCTSSORS-GRINDER.

els he really so handsome?'' said
Eleanor May incredulously.
"The handsomest man you ever
saw in your lifel" cried Olive Sat-
terly.
She was sitting on the back door
step, shelling peas, with great cln-
namon rose bush showering it's pink
petals down on her brown braids of
hair, and her hazel eyes sparkled be-
meath their long lashes, while Maude,
the beauty of the family, leaned out
of the window, her pretty tresses
screwed up in crimping papers, and
the gingham wrapper buttoned care
lessly at the throat, with no ornamen-
tai accessories in the way Of collars,
frills, or ribbon bows for Maude had
been to a party the night before, and
had slept late, scolded her mother
! because the coffee was cold, and alb
selutely declined any interference
with the household affairs that morn
ing.
EXACTLY like a corsair!" said
Maude, suppressing a yawn. 'Tall
and dark, with such great diamond
on his little finger, and eyes like
cherry wine. And he was so sur
prised to think that [ recognized him
through his disguise!''
"What costume did he assu:ne?"
asked Eleanor May, who, not having
received an invitation to the fancy
dress ball at Mrs. Pipington's, was
naturally exceedingly inquisitiye on
the subject.
GA pirate" said Maude, "with a
black velvet cap, you know, and scar
let sash and cutlass. And he declar-
ed that he would disguise himself so
completely the next time that l
couldn't possibly identify him, and
he wagered box of kid gloves on
the question "
81 suppose he means at Lizzie
Hooker's birthday party?'' said
Olive.
"Of course" said Maude.
- wish | could CO." said Olive,
working diligently away at the peas,
that dropped like emerald rain into
the shining tin pan.
"Well, you can't" replied Maude,
shortly. ''Mamma says she cannot
a.tord two fancy dresses, and I'm the
Oldest
"Yes, / know" said Olive, meek
ly.
And Mr.. Medllcote danced only
once with you last night" added
Maude, unable to repress her exulta-
ton, land he waltzed with me three
times, besides the Germani"
Little Olive looked slyly up ut her
sister, and secretly wished that Proyi-
dence had seen fit to make her also a
beauty.
81 suppose" said Miss May, Curl
ously, THAT he is very rich?"
"Oh, yery!" nodded Maude.
And Olives thoughts jumped at
= idea of how beautiful her
onee 10 lh1 = ia the regulation
sister would loon ~t,;ts tuIle.
orange blossoms and \, g,s mar
II wonder if ever shall >nss
rled :: pondered Olive, shelGne
faster than ever.
who's that coming round the
corner Of the house?'' cried Maude. |
with some asperity, zone of those
everlasting peddlers again? Oh, it's
only g scissors-grinder.
And very fortunate, too.'' said
Mrs. Satterly, pale, over worked
little woman, with light hair and IA
ded complexion; "for my shears are
so bad can't cut with 'em. And
there's the embroidery scissors, and
pair that belongs to the mendino
basket, and
GLOW much do you ask a pair?"
demanded Maude, sailing out upon
the garden path, with her pretty feet
thrust into sllpshod slippers, soiled
wrapper torn down one side, and her
hair yet in the loose, tangled curIs
which had hung like coiled gold down
her neck the night before.
The mana swart-browed, stoop-
ing foreigner-set his wheel upon the
grass, bowed low, with a smile which
disclosed teeth cleaning whitley
through his thick, bushy beard, and
held up six fingers in pantomimic ges-
ture.
That's too much" said Maude. a.,
''Hc can't understand you," said !
Eleanor, laughing.
Miss Satterly shook her head,
the little untidy foot, held
up six pairs of scissors in various !
stages of dilapidation, and displayed ;
a silver quarter of dollar. ..
The scissor grinder smiled again, ,
and made an obeisance nearly to the :,
ground, and assented to the bargain !
With numerous mods and signs. ,
''Isn't he funny?' said Eleanor. I
"Horrid velveteen coated fellowr' s
said Maude. "To think he belongs ,
70 the same humanity with my divine '
Algernon!" s
HE looks tired and thirsty" said I
gentle-hearted Olive. "I've a great s
mind to offer him a cool drink" 6
you'll do no such thing" said q
Maude, imperiously. "I'Il have no t
sister of mine running to wait on r
scissors grinders! Mamma, is that
chocolate ready yet?''
Chocolate ?" repeated poor Mrs.
Satterly, with q conscience stricken y
air. ~ declare, Maude, 1 forgot all 1
about it. But I'll run directly and t
'et it boiling"
Maude Satterly crimsoned to the Fl
7ery temples. C
"Forgot!" repeated she. "You're a
always forgetting! 1 never saw any n
,ne like you in my life! No. I b
won't have it now. If you can't pre- r
pare my chocolate when ! want it, "
1ou sham prepare it at all. Ishould b
hink you might have thought of it, b
Dive" "
81 am very sorry, Maude," began "
Olive, apoiogetically; "for all that, 1 n
hink you ought not to speak so cross fl
y to mamma" il
"Hold your tongue!'' said Maude, tt
stamping her foot again. "Do you tt
suppose am going to be tutored by g
,nup T sball Sneak 90 I plaasa and q,