Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-11-10
A DINNER OF PEAS.


Jetty westart said, impressively; "iust
think of that"
"I never really had as many green
peas as wanted in my whole life, "
added her sister Kate.
1--WE never had enough of anything
to eat" grovled Jack, shying his cap Of
the cat. "or of anything else for that
matter"
"We have plenty of you, at any rate, =
retorted Clare the third sister, rushing
to the rescue OF puss.
"Well all 60 over after supper.
Jetty CONTINUED, too absorbed in think
ing OF the peas to notice the threatened
squabble between Jack and Glare, "and
pick them. Mr.. Gardner said to take
just as macy as We could eat, for the
family will be gone q week aud the peas
will only spoil on the vines"
"I could eat bushel, know" re-
marked Jack.
"You won't pick half pint" put in
Glare. who felt the snubbing of Jack to
be her especial duty; "though there's
no doubt you'll eat plenty when We get
them"
"There, children" inteyposed Jetty,
with the motherly air which abe
assumed as the head of the family.
"don't be always sparring. Jack, 20
and get me q pail of water, and you,
Glare, set the table. Jim, you toast the
bread"
Itwas one Of the peculiarities of the
family that the two older girls called
each other Jim"
When Mrs. Westart, the pale, high.
brod little widow, who had kept poverty
from the door by dat of killing herself
with toll at her pen, at las. succumbed
and left her four children alone in the
world, the neighbors Immediately fell
to speculating whether their Uncle
John, who had cast off his sister when
che dared to marry against his wishes,
would come to their aid, or whether the
poor things would be eforced TO go to the
poOrhouse. Neither of these things
happened. When Farmer Gardner,
with kipdfest intent, offered Jack a
place in his family to grow mp rs his
own son, he was, perhaps, as much sur
prised as he was disappointed when
Jetiy answered him. very simply. but in
sway that left no doubt that her deci-
sion was fnal:
hi"Of course we thank you, Mr.. Gard
ner, and I know how good an offer II
In for Jack /; but i promised mamma I'd
keep the family together. and of course
We couldn't let him 60"
Keep the family together The good
townsPeople we're shocked and sur.
Prifed, and expressed their as.onish-
mont and disapproval frankly enough
to each other. To voice them 10 Miss
Jetty WeSiaIt was, however, = very
different thing, for the pale little girl
woman had dignity enough to silence
The most impudent of the gossips and
however the talk buzzed behind her
hack, IL came seldom 70 her ears. She
taught the village school and kept the
family together, and it was not long be-
foIe public opinion came 10 lake sides
with her TO condemn rich John Frenant,
that he stood aloft, and continued the
unkindness, which had gone fsrt bTes K
his sisters heart, to her unonendine
children.
Life in The little WestaTt cotiaxe, a.
may be easily understood, was not very
Injurious, and jacks statement, that
shey never had enough of anything,
was not so inexact. On the pre- sent
occasion when Mr.. Gardner had offered
The spoil of his pea vines to Jetty. the
determination expressed By al the
family. not even excepting the s'little
mother" herself, as some Of The neigh
Eors called Jetty, was to have al the
pea they could possibly eat. After
supper she whole family, even to The
szl Who tagged along At The heels Of
Clare. proceeded in body 70 Mr. Gard
nef's garden, and such stripping -
they rsctised that night The vines Ger
iainIy never had before o. aitervard.
SHOW, Jim," Kate faid the mex
mOsnipg. az they I'll - h ling he
nns, s'f0f once sell - sxEzavagans,