The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-04-29
THE GRUMBLER'S BOOK.

The GkU III BLEk'S BOOk.
For several days Anna Parker had
been cross. Nothing seemed to be as
it should be. The sun shone too bright
~, or not brightly enough; the grass
should have been blue, instead of green,
and the sky green, instead of blue. At
church she observed that the minister s
necktie was awry, the singing bad, the
organ out of tune, and ''the old church
never looked so shabby and old-fash-
Toned before" At home, they s.never
had things as other folks had them"
The parlor carpet was old-fashioned
and worn, every room in the house was
too small, and she was "tired to death
Of those everlasting old stoves, when
everybody else in town has CRATES"
The same spirit of complaint went with
her to school, where she found cross
teachers, lessons longer than had ever
before been given, and "no sense in
them anyway"
"What sense can there be in that in
tolerable n,ensa, n,ens9, meaasa, men
sam, naeaasa, aae1ssa, / should like to
know"
s. Anna. Asaaag, Aaang, Annana! What
has come over the spirit of your dreams
latelyP 1t seems to me you've been an
accusative case long enough. Can't
something be done to remove the blue
glasses from your eyes, so you may see
things as they really arep' This from
Brother Fred.
That girl must be miserable in order
to be happy" remarked Uncle John, as
Anna left the room.
Fred resumed his reading. He was
following Captain Burnaby on his ..Ride
to Khiva," and had just finished the
Captains account of riding "a camel in
love-" when he overheard his petulant
sister severely reprimanding a certain
geranium, which had obstinately refused
to blossom.
"See here, SIS" he called, "you've
found some fault with everything that
has crossed your path for a week past;
and I'll acknowledge I've worn blue
glasses part of the time myself. 1t
relieves one Immensely to say Just what
he thinks once in while, and must
confess I rather enjoy it. However, l
am aware that mater familias is not at
all pleased with some of the outspoken-
ness INDUCED in by her children, and
I've been casting about for some plan
which would enable you and to sputter
TO our hearts content, and still not
offend the mother; and I've hit ON lust
such plan. Want to hear itp''
The serio-comic air with which Fred
delivered this speech brought smile to
Annals face, in spite of her efforts to
keep on frown; and curiosity to learn
his "plan'' prompted her to give an
affirmative reply.
"Wel," said Fred, turning back a
few pages in his ride to Khiva,''
" listen to this. Captain Burnaby.
describing the station-houses along the
road which he travelled in Russia, saws.
among other things: "A book in which
to inscribe complaints was kept. and
any traveller who felt himself aegrieyed
would write down his grievance. which
would be subsequently investioat ed nv
an inspector, whose duty it was to per-
form this task once month Now. r
propose that you and I keep a grum-
bler's book, and, instead of spittino ont
our grievances as fast as they come tn
US, causing the mother a sore heart and
everybody else great deal of annov-
ance. we will write them in this book.
linen we will constitute Uncle John in
spector, and it shall be his duty to in
vestigate the contents of the erumbler's
book every Saturday night, in the pres
ence OF the entire family. What do
you say to writing a book in this wayp,'
Fred was obliged to wait a moment
Tor reply to his question. The fact
was, Anna did not feel at all inclined to
favor this project, for she realized that.
IN q measure, the so-called satisfaction
arising from speaking ones complaints
would be lost in an attempt to write
them; for really there was more truth
tnan there seemed to be in Uncle
johns remark that she 81 must be mis-
cradle in order to be happy.'' All
grumblers will understand this More
over, the idea that all her COMPLAINS
Tor week were to be BROUGHT before
the family every Saturday night did NOT
seem 70 her quite a pleasant one. Stil.
!. a1Is. moment or two, she remarked |
70 FRED that If he was willing to do his |
grumbllng in this way she would under |
take 1t, too; and the matter was settled.
On the following Monday morning a |
Diank book was given to Fred by his |
uncle, and placed Fred and Anna onlv |
knew where. Mrs. Parker was not in |
the secret" and, as day after dav |
passed and no word of complaint was
heard from either Fred or Anna. her
surprise almost equaled her delioht
only q mother placed in exactly the
same situation can realize what a veal
that was for Mrs. Parker. ~
Saturday night came in dine t;n,o An
were gathered Ground the evening
lamp" busted in various ways. Mrs
rarker, Uncle John and Fred absorbed
u their occupations. Anna, however
appeared restless as leaf, taking mn
now TINS, now that piece of work, turn
ing the leaves of several books. but too
uneasy to undertake to read; and final.
y she was forced to inquire:
Fred. will the inspector attend to
ais duty to-night?''
Mrs. Parker glanced at Anna with a
look, evidently bewildered