Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-06-16
8emuttatit: Northwest.
LITTLE JACK HoRNER.

AoulIlt was AOllH sluCe ucCehseu. Oul
bis eldest son, Paul, -reigned at Forest
Walks in his stead. Pauls mother
was stately, handsome old dowager,
who wore her magnificent diamonds
with great becomingness.
After Paul, the eldest son, came
Philip. Then daughter, Gwendolen.
Then Jack. After Jack another
daughter, Ethel
But Jack hardly seemed to belong
to the Horners. To be sure he had
the beauty in subdued style, but he
was not ambitious he was not snowy
--in fact, as the other said with DIS
satisfied air, he would be satisfied to
live in corner And Jack never dis
puted it, if he might carry into his
corner his integrity and peace of mind
also his beloved books. When the
domestic atmosphere became troubled
by the jar and fret Of worldly strife,
Jack always retreated with Rassallas,
and was seen and heard no more in
the family conclave until the storm
had passed. Not that he was without
opinion or capacity, but his brothers
and sisters with their aims and energies
often seemed to him beings of another
kind. He never thought the object
of their exertions worth while; he had
actually no sympathy with their pur-
poses in life, and would really have
objected to aid in attaining them. But
nobody expected that Of Jack. He
was the odd one of the family, they
declared, and utterly inexplicable.-
Though three-and-twenty, he had not
yet chosen profession. OF course
nobody understood his high ideals and
his scruples. They thought him i'm,
practical, dreamy, bookish, They
chaffed him when in high spirits, and
poohed at him Yet they each and all
dearly loved him in their different
ways. Paul discussed politics with
him and laughed at his expectations
of men with secret determination that
Jack should be looked after, for he
would be sure to need his big brother
if he ever came to mingle with the
world. Philip, who was preparing for
the church, sought Jack in theological
dispute, and was always astonished and
pleased by the talent revealed. why
the dickens didn't Jack take to the
church?-but the latter blushed at the
mere thought. Gwendolen went to
him for artistic directions or rather
suggestions in dress; Gwendolen was
the beauty. And little Ethel hung on
Jack to be petted, and never was so
delighted as when she could tease him.
In person Jack was of medium
height slight, and with q quiet grace
of his own. 1t was one of his pecu-
liarities that though smaller than his
brothers he never looked inferior. In
stead, Paul appeared little coarser
mould, and Philip angular and lank
beside him, though, as | have said the
family all possessed a characteristic
comliness. He had fair hair and dark
eyes Ike Gwendolen, and the fair hair
shaded the white forehead in curls
loose and shadowing. Ethel declared
that Jacks hair was good enough to
eat, q remark for which you must look
to her for explanation. And now |
go on and tell you just how he came
to make himself my hero.
One day Gwendolen danced into the
long drawing room, with q letter.
Rose is coming, she cried.
Rose? everybody exclaimed.
Yes; she is coming to spend Christ
mas. The General and his wife are
going to Washington, and Rose is COM
ing to u.s.
Good cried Paul.
Strange girl remarked Philip mus
ingly.
i am sure if l were Rose / wouldn't
Lose o chance to go to Washington,
and come into the country Christmas,
said Ethel, knitting her fine black
brows and pouting her coral lips, in
bu CttSy Cuttll DClOIC UllC uIG.
I'm sure it is pleasant at any time
Of the year, remarked Mrs. Horner,
putting down her embroidery and wait
ing to take the letter from Gwendolen,
'and Rose Raleigh is girl who can
afford to do as she pleases, if ever wo.
man can
'Ot course we shall be delighted to
see her mamma
If Rose is coming, we'll invite the
Brompton's and the Harte's and have
charades in the evening, said Gwen
dolen. ...'
'TableauX!' said Ethel.
No private theatricals,' said Paul.
While the discussion grew warm
over this matter, Jack found Philip
reaching from his seat to lean on the
arm of his chair.
Jack, he whispered, do you think
Rose is too handsome for minister's
wife,?
Jack smiled slightly.
NO
Rather odd she should make us a
visit this season of the year. l think
she rather likes the clergy.
Philip rose and began walking the
floor in restless, pre-occupied way.
2retty soon Paul dropped into his
,'acant seat.
Jack, do you think Rose is too