The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-10-14


briskly; "and to lunch after church,
hope"
champagne, maam!' inquired Mead,
wiser in his genentiOn than his betters,
and just saving Mrs. Pringle from going
off
Don't be afraid of it, Maria; know it's
safe and sound" cried the hospitable host;
and Jane, my dear, your glass is empty!
Look after her, Tom"
"All right. father. Let me keep this pud-
ding alight, though; and as the flames arose
and made the sprig Of holly cnckle. he
thought how much nicer it would have been
if he and his father had been alone, for his
aunts faces reminded him Of snapdragon.
How comfortable the husbands were!
They really liked each other, and for one
evening their Christian wives allowed them to
show it. They had gotas far back as the time
when they played foot ball together, when
aunt Maria made move fOrthe drawing
room, followed byaunt Jane. Having stood
attention, with their table napkins in their
hands while the two elderly women filed ont,
they returned to hot punch and early re-
miniscences, which would have made them
happy for hours, but look of anxiety on
| the CHEEKY face of their host checked them
Hank! Yes, a sound of female voices in
angry discussion was Enthusiastically heard.
"You 60" said Mr.. Pringle, nervously
appealing to Mr.. Mace.
mo, no, you go! responded that gentle
man, with a concerned face.
'Tll go! announced Mr.. Blossom, and
his hand firmly undid the door, and the
others followed him, old Mead bringing up
the rear.
e! was prepared for peace, but you have
broken it,
by no means; it is Your uncharitable
spirit
SISTER cried Mr.. Blossom, and his
voice was full of dignified reproof, lis
this your religion"
1T il impossible that you can understand
our position, brother" said Mrs. Mace, her
face crimson with mingled feelings; you
have meant well, but really, Mr.. Mace, you
had better send for cab"
Mr.. Mace was slowly moving TO obey
when the hosts voice claimed attention.
Hold. You may think ! have made a
mistake in asking you here, but l don't
think did: and having good will towards
you, do not mean that we shall part with
out, at any rate, an effort on my part to
promote your happiness
Aunt Maria leant back in her chair and
looked sullenly at the fire; and Jane re-
manned standing tapping her foot angily
on the hearth rug. Mr.. Pringle tied knots
in his pocket handkerchief, and wished he
had half his worthy hosts courage; and
Mr.. Mace leant against the door post, look
ing helplessly from Tom (whO regarded
nothing but his boots to old Mead, whose
| eyes rested admirably on his master.
Maria and Jane, whatever bitterness of
| feeling there is between you now, remem-
Der, and you both remember, q time when
You shared every grief and every JOY, when
your lives were full of pure unselfsh
pleasure they have long ceased to know.
What has wrought the change? Religion?
Heaven forbid" and the honest old face
grew earnest and powerful in its look of APP
peal. 1T is the fighting under first one
mans banner, then another, that has soured
you; and You, in your party quarrels, have
| deserted the ranks where our mother enroll
ed us rs children. BY the memory of our
childhood, and the day of rejoicing We now
celebrate, entreat you to return to the nat
ural affection of our early years; and if you
can not agree in all things, remember that
| the true watchword of religion is-Love!"
Hear, hear cried Mr.. Mace, enthusiasts
tically.
"'E can preach aud practice too" mutter-
ell the butler.
And the Aunts? There was long silence,
and then-O goOdly ght!-Maria rose
| from her chair and was met on rising by
Jane, and wholesome healing tears washed
| away the cold barriers of Years as they EN-
bnced each other in the spirit of their
girlhood's days.
More punch, sir?" inquired Mead brisk
| ly, finding it necessary to account for his
presence at the drwing-roo door.
Certainly, lots more, and small glasses
for the ladies'. Come, Mace, Pringle, Tom
Wake up; we won't part tonight till II
o'clock, and then we'll drink to our next
merry meeting.
| And when the cheerful party ended, and
the old butler had speeded the parting
guests, he congratulated his master.
ats done, sir, and it's well done! never
expected it. Family quarrels is bad, sir,
but bless you, them religious ones is wuss. "