The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-04-22
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HOW MEG LEARNED TO BE con.
TENT. sssa

HOW MEG LEARNED TO BE con
TENT.
She was Margaret at school, whel
the roll was called: and when the min
lister talked to her, with q grave, kim
interest, which pleased while 1t fright
ened her; but ssMeg' from her fathe
and mother, and the four brothers, a
once her torment and pride. She wa
thirteen years old, plump and pretty
with brown hair and blue eyes; ''happ.
as bird" most of the time. g Blu
lately something is the matter witt
Meg" said her mother, with an anxiou
look ON her dear face; 81 can hardly
get her to practice, her books are neg
lected. and yesterday when suggested
that she spend the afternoon with TIL
Blake girls, she said, mournfully, trt'
nothing fit to wear there This morn
ing when / asked her to put the boys
room in order she went upstairs, say
ing something about wasting her time
on them,' and afterward my reques
that she make a pudding for dinner wa.
met with a flood of tears. What car
be the matterp' All this to Meg's ia.
Their while he rested in the shady sit
ting-room, before going down town fol
the afternoon. saH 4~a h.
Il should say the Giant Discomfort
had taken possession of her." replied
Mr.. French; "Those Blake girls are
pretty wealthy and stylish. aren't they;
Possibly Meg thinks she is having 9
hard time in contrast" t.f
II should not wonder if you were
right answered Mrs. French. al
hope 1t won't last long, she has usually
been SO sensible and helpful" and she
went on sorting stockings from the bas-
ket by her side.
MARY and Ella Blake have no
mother" said Mr.. French, as he bent
to kiss his wife. Meg ought to let that
more than balance their fine clothes
and fashionable way of living. But
don't worry, dear, she will wake up
some day." and he passed out through
the sunny yard into the street.
"Meg, DEAR" called Mrs. French
from the hall, half an hour after,
" will you come DOWN."
the stairs came Meg, $50 pretty" you
would have said in her light muslin,
and her brown hair tied back with blue
ribbons; but she looked very sober, as
she entered the sitting room and asked
in listless way, ''What do you wish,
:
"Only your help about this great
pile of stockings, DEAR" answered her
mother. II have hard headache and
can hardly see the holes"
~ shouldn't think you'd have any
trouble in seeing them.'' laughed Meg,
[aintly; how can those boys wear out
stockings SOP" the smile diving away
IS she threaded her needle.
After few moments silence, during
which Meg sighed as she measured the
hole in Ned's stocking, Mrs. French
aid down her work and said. wearilv.
;. cannot sit up q moment longer.
Can you finish them, Megp' 80
What naughty spirit kept Meg from
'prlnging to her mothers side to help
1er to her room, and from assuring her
hat she would finish them cheerfullyP
Jan any of my girl friends tenp She
'nly answered coldly, Eyes, ma'am,
suppose so, and let her mother pass
'lowly out of the room. She did not
zee her uncertain steps, for she was too
intent on her own selfish thoughts.
which found relief in words as soon as
he was alone. If this isn't too bad!
Why couldn't mamma wait till to-mor-
ow to mend thesep did want to 90
Q the park this afternoon. Mary and
ella are to be there. think nv dress
as pretty as theirs if it isn't covered
With lace. Oh, those horrid bovsr' as
mother dive into the basket brought
lp second much-worn pair of stock
ngs, and Meg frowned and pouted till
ou would hardly have known her
weet face.
just then, with merry shout, a tall.
right boy dashed into the room. and
nth glance at Meg exclaimed:
Gracious! it's going to storm! 1
ee the thunder-cloud. Where shall /
y for safetyp" and, perching on the
ack OF the sofa, he asked, Miss Mar
aret French, why is your lovely face
sadP Confide in me! Can't YOU do
our hair a la Blake, or what's the
rouble?"
Ned, l should think you'd be
shamed to talk So" replied MEG,
especially when I'm working for
ou'" holding up the offending stock
,g.
II admit that's a big hole" assented
ed, tossing his cap in the air, "but I |
resume made it trotting round for |
gu and your young lady friends. Saw. |
leg, ! made some poetry this morn |
e, hsten," and he " struck an atti-
lde." with his cap under his arm, and
egan:
My dear Miss Blake
My heart you break