The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-08-14
6" Take in, you mean," I suggest, by

y
way of revenge"
"Not at all, !" answers the ready little
mink; "she means take up. Men cant
arrive at any elevated position unless we
do take 'em up" ..
"Oh, Aunt Billy" screamed Tom
rushing into the room, followed by Muff
our old terrier, a sleepy, superannuated
pet, of which the children were very
fond.
"Tom, don't call your aunt Billy
says my wife.
/" Yes, he shall. My name is VIII
helmina, or William, and Billy is gooC
for short. Go on, Tom
"Aunt Billy, McAllister is coming
from the station, and he's got his arms
full of re-works-Roman candles, ano
rockets, and pin-wheels, and eUerS
thing" says the excited Tom.
"Bravo!" cries Nina.
"And Mr.. Worth is with him, ant
amt got so much as cracker" add
Tom, with proper disgust.
Humph! [ never did like Mr.
WORTH" says Nina, alphabetically.
He likes you, bet, Aunt Billy; but
you won't marry him, will you, Aun
BillyP" asks Tom, who was at that ten
der age when the small boy is quite
jealous of the affections of pretty
aunt.
"Marry! Nonsense, child, 1 WOULDN'T
marry 0ny man," answers Nina, with
very marked italics. CT have to make
a career.''
"What's thatp' says Tom.
"Why, it's a-a-it's writing great
book, or painting picture, or going or
the stage, Or Well, it's showing a
woman is just as clever as man."
"But woman amt" says the un.
gallant Tom.
You think so because you're only g
child, and ignorant.
81 amt ignorant neither" answers
my eldest hope, whose grammar weak.
ems as his zeal strengthens. 81 say q
woman can't lift barrel of flour, and a
man can. So"
"Like your father, Master Tom, you
confound muscle with brains. A WON.
an can do much better than lift barrel
of -FOUR -.
"Ho! women git scared" says Tom
"But never mind; you're a brick, Aunt
Billy, and you sha'n't marry any body
not McAllister neither"
"Ah, now, Tom, / might marry Nc.
Allister." t'tH
"Gus McAllisteris fortune hunter, 81
1 remarked, gravely.
"He's very handsome says my per.
verse sister-in-law, sand has very ju.
dicious views on the Woman Question
hasn't he, Muffp" At this she pulls old
Muff's ear, but having gone to sleep, he
makes no sign.
Humbug!" l exclaim. ssHe's try
ing to please you by humoring your fol,
lies. Now Worth is a man that"
"That undertakes to make all the
world accept his opinions
"He is very moderate and reasona-
ble," | say, warmly.
"He ISN'T" Miss Italics contradicts,
fatty; "he stares solemn disapproval
of what he doesn't like.' aI
"That was when you remarked you'd
like to put on boys clothes and run
away to sea, wasn't it?''
"Never mind when it was" and
Nina fushes slightly, for Worth did
subdue her that time by looking gravely
straight into her blue eyes. ''But /
wouldn't marry a man who hasn't prop
er views on the Woman Question:
man like John Worth-if-if-'
elf he gave you the chance" I sug-
gest, maliciously.
"How do you know he hasn't given
me the chancep" '-.
because he's man of sense"
answer, knowing Nina will retort, and
l shall get at the truth.
"Then the man of sense has conde.
scended to nonsense" says Nina, in
scornful mockery.
"NonsenseP Oh, that's yourself, ]
suppose"
She noticed the slur by a look of in.
effable contempt, and went on, helping
her speech by dramatic shake of ban.
giles and bare arm: "And nonsense
refused him. .et.
"Mina," exclaims her sister, "you
ought to love a man like Worth. He'd
make sensible girl of you"
"Thanks for the implied compliment
to the present state of my wits, Mrs.
Mary. AS to love, Arthur Helps lays
down, as the first rule of advancing q
career of distinguished public useful.
ness, avoid engrossing affections. :"
"McAllister's brought lots o. pin
Wheels" screams Tom from the win.
dow, and calls out through the glass,
" Hello!"
Muff banks, then goes to sleep within
the same second. Nina jerks down the
brown jacket snugly over her trim
shoulders and waist, feels the little up
right collar to make sure it's not askew,
then lets her hand wander lightly over
the earrings and the short fair curls,
and, satisfied she is all right, turns to
the door.
In comes McAllister ahead. sob,
Mr. McAllister, I'm so glad to see you!''
cries Miss Italics, with effusion; sand
how good you are to bring fireworks
love to hold a Roman candle while it
fixes off," . -4 fIt
ga woman's dress is hardly safe near
Roman Candles" remarks Worth, as
he bows and puts out his hand.
"Oh, are yo~ hereP" says Nina, by
way of welcome; and in a minute she is
lost in the embrasure of window, I'M
packing endless varieties of rockets and
'pieces." McAllister stoops over her
shoulder, and the excited children, with