The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-12-28
WHAT SHALL III BE ?

to imagine an old hall in an old
tumble-down country house. 4
brisk wood fire is burning on tn
dogs" of the hearth, and It's blaz'
lights up the large apartment.
There are six persons in this room
The sofa near the fire is occupied by
young Mrs. Christopher William:
Bunnett, WHO'S an object of Interest
Just at present. She was Jane Brad
ley, and has been married TO young
Williams Bunnett something under
a year. Mrs Bradley is seated al
the end of the sofa, near her daugh'
ter's feet, which she has with great
propriety, covered with her shawl
Mr.. Bradley is located at the table
with old Mr.. Williams bunnett, who
took the name of Bunnett on his
marriage with the superb old lady
at the ether side of the fire. for Miss
Bunnett was an heiress.
Mr.. Bradley is a little punchy
man of eight and forty, with white
teeth and a red face. Somebody
once told him that he was like Ma
poleon, and he used to stand in at
titudes accordingly but now he is
obliged to give that up, as his obesi-
ty will neither allow him to cross
his hands behind his back nor over
his face. He is now drinking some
whisky and water, and looking with
a thoughtful air at the fire, as if the
logs made an enigma that he wished
to penetrate.
Mrs. Bradley is a comely lady,
about half a dozen years younger
than her husband. She is chiefly
remarkable for her fidgety tempera-
ment, which manifests itself contin-
ually in the muscles of her face and
her fingers. If those are both al
rest, then her feet shake.
Her daughter Jane is pretty
person of nineteen. She is very
lively and good-tempered doats
upon her husband with all the
Changing ffection of the first matri-
monial year !; can play few mild
quatIrilles and waltzes on the piano,
and sings Moore's melodies when
she is alone, but never otherwise
As we have hinted, at present the
lady is an object of great and deli
cate family solicitude.
Mrs. Williams Bunnett, formerly
Miss Constantine Burnett, is the
grandest old lady one would meet
anywhere in the country. She is
always dressed after ancient models,
and of great severity of demeanor.
At country balls, evil young men
have christened her Agamemron
and Henry VIII; and some have
even gone so far as to call her, when
in feathers, the king of the Cannibal
Islands, all of which will give an
idea of her imposing presence. She
paints her face and takes snuff, be-
cause she once saw the wife of The
great Mr.. Fox do so. When she
does the latter she lets much of II
fall upon her old point lace collar
upon which her husband says
Jacks alivel" which means thai
she is to brush it away /; and this
private communication often puzzles
society.
These, then, are the six person
ages assembled round the Fireplace
of Coulter Court at the end OF Jan
uary drinking respectively eide
wine and spirits and water. Th'
cause of their meeting will now b'
told.
I'VE don't get any further" re
marked Mr.. Bradley, after pause
"Come-what shall the little stran
gers name be? | wonder if it viii
be girl?" a
"Wonder! of course, Mr.. Bradley,
replied the wife. Three games O
Patience running all give the sam'
answer"
IL think as / am the first god
mother, it should be called Constan
tia" said Mrs. Williams-Bunnett.
.'And Antonia, because | am th'
godfather" added the gentleman.
"Oh-certainlv," hesitated Mrs
Bradley; but we want an every da,
name first, l think, something IA
miliar-like and pretty"
II think Constantia is familia
enough" resumed Mrs. Bunnett; a
least it is so with the aristocracy.
The Bradleys look nt each other
and Mr.. Bunnett exclaimed, Jack
aliveln which had the desired effect
What do You say Jane?' aske'
M (shviefonheY-