St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1881-10-15
II really think she is not SO bad.

They are all shlftless, lazy crea-
lures, who must be discharged
promptly if they neglect their du-
ties"
Uncle Black began to look fright
ened. Ho had kept Betty, Sylvia
| and old John fo1 ten years. Was it
possible that he had scolded them
for ten years, only to have Joscelind
Darkridge outscold him now?
81 wouldn't be too short with 'em,
my dear, if I were you!" he re-
monstrated.
/ linen let them do their duty!"
said Joscelind, with the air of an
empress.
I'VE are all mortal" pleaded
Uncle Black.
II expect every one around me
to live up to their conditions" said
Joscelind.
Uncle Black ate the rest of his
breakfast with but little appetite.
Sylvia, the hcnsemnid, was finish
ing dusting the library as he en-
tered it.
'Not through YETI" growled Un-
! cle Black. the network OF wrinkles
once more coming to his brow.
Sylvia" said Miss Darkridge,
severely, "if this happens again l
shall dispense with your services!
Look at that clock Is this the
time of day to be dawdling about
the rooms with o broom and dust.
er? Remember that MIR. Black does
not pay you exorbitant wages to lie
In bed until noon." s-.-.,
"My dear said Uncle Black,
Sylvia is generally q very good
girl, if"
Dear Uncle" interrupted Josce-
lind, pray permit me to be he
judge Of these matters. You have
ruled your house with slack and
lndulgent hand too long. I shall
now institute reform"
And poor Sylvia had never went
about 50 briskIy as she did that
day.
Old John, the gardener, was not
exempt from his share of the gen.
eral turmoil. Miss Darkridge hap
pened to overhear her Uncle re-
proaching the old man for some
fancied neglect in the fower-beds,
whose diamonds, ovals and cres-
cents of brilliant colors were the
pride of his horticultural heart, and
she came promptly to his aid.
Gardening, indeed Do you
call this gardeuing?" she said. |
"UDcls Black, I'm as.onished that
yol keep such a man as this about
the place"
And tue torrent of taunts and re-
proaches which she showered upon |
the luckiess head of poor old John
was enough. as that individual ob
served, ''bo make ones flesh Creep"
! My niece is yohng lady of
spirit and energy" apologized Mr..
Black, when at last Joscelind had
gone back to the house.
Vera like you, sir-verra like I
you!' said old john, scratching his
head. ..
Like mel" said Mr.. Black, slow
ly. And he stood for full five min
utes, quite speechless aud motion
less, staring down at the messy rim
Of an ancient sun-dial, half sunk in
the velvety grass. Ard at the end
OF the i've minutes he spoke two
words. and two only:
"Like-me!'
"Taeres no KNOWN the masther,
he's that changed" said Biddy, in
the kitchen. week or SO after
Hes as mild as a lamb and as
peaceable as u kitten"
"Sure, isn't that just what the
young lady told US, said Sylvia,
when sic came down into the
kitchen that first morning before
the fire was lighted, aud told us as
she was goin' to try an experiment,
aud we wasn't to mind word that
she said, cause it was all by con-
trslries? He don't know what
his temper has got to be-" she said.
and IN going to show him. And
bless her sweet heart, her plan has
worked like h charm"
1t had, in good truth. Uncle
Black was changed man. And
Joscelind had reiapsed into the
original sunshine Of her temper
and all the domestic wheels of
Black Grange seemed to levolve on
velvet.
But Uncle Black took all the
or. dit tc himself He never knew
that Joscelind had taught him q