Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-19
RecGliections Of a Highland Ccmsg,.

The Misses McFarlane are three maiden
ladies-sisters 1t seems the one would not
trust the other to see the census paper filed
up, so they agreed to bring 1T to me to I'LL it
''Would you kindly fill In this census paper
for u.s." said Miss McFarlane. ''My sisters
VIII look over. and give you their particulars
Now, Miss McFarlane Is very nice lady;
though Mrs. Cameron tells me she has been
calling very often at the manse since the min
lister lost his wife. Be that as 1t may, said to
her that l would be happy to I'LL up the paper
aud asked her In the meantime to give me her
own particulars. When it came to the age
column she played with her boot on the carpet,
and drew the black ribbons OF her silk bag
through her fingers and whispered: You can
say four-and- thirty, Mr.. AIciauChlfD.'' "Au
and-thirty at any rate. Then Miss Susan came
over-thats the second Sister-really hand
some young creature. with fine ringletS ana
curls, though she is little tender-eyed and
wears Speclacles. Well, when we came &c the
age column Miss Susan played with one OF her
ringlets and looked in my face sweety and
sail: INF. MCLAUGHLIN, what did Miss MCFar-
lane say? My sister, you know, is considerably
older than l am-there was brother De-
tween u.s.
"Quite so, my dear Miss Susan" said I; 'abut
you see the bargain was that each OF you was
TO state yOurOWn age"
Well, said Miss Susan, still playing with
her riDgletS. "you can savage, thirty four
| years, Mr.. MCLAUGHLIN"
La little While the youngest sister came In.
Miss McFarlane," said she, sent me over for
"oh, no. my dear, saysI; 81 can rot part
| with the paper"
SO Wen, then said She, "llst enter my name
quite so. But tell me, Miss Roana, why
| did Miss McFarlane not fill up the paper her
| self?' for Miss RObina anG. l were always on
| very confidential terms.
"Oh she replied, ''tnere was a dispute over
| par ticulars. and Miss lEcFarlanS would not let
| my other sister see now old she was; and Miss
RI I lr
| lane; and so, to end tae quarrel. we agreed to
ask you to be so kind as fill IL the paper
| Yes, yes, Miss Ro5ina," said /; that's quite
satisfactory; and SO I'll I'LL In your name now,
| ii you please
Yes" she said. with sigh. When we came
| to tie age colglnn-"IS tt absolutely necsS-
sary." she said. ito I'LL in the age? Don't you
think 1t most tmpertinent question 10 ask,
| Mr.. McLauchlia?'
| .Tuts. 1t may be SO to some folks; but to a
sweet young creature Axe you it can net mat
| ter button
"Well," said Miss RobIna, "but now, Mr. Nc
| LaucEiln, Pm TO tell you great secret and
she bluShed as she slowly continued: "Fne
minister comes sometimes TO see as
| 81 have noticed him rather more attentive In
his yIsitations in your quarter of late than
| usual, Miss Robina.'
very well, Mr.. MCLAUGHLIN; but you must
| not tease ne just now. You know Miss Nc
| Farlane is Of opinion that he IS In love with
her; while Miss Susan thinks her taste for
litei allure ana her knowledge OF geology, espe-
| ciallJ- her pamphlet on the 0id Red Sandstone
aud It's fossils as confirming the Mosaic record,
are all matters or great interest 30 MI Fraser,
aud she fancteS that he comes SO frequently for
the privilege OF conyer5ing with her. But
exclaims Miss Rohna. with q look Of triumph,
'look at that and she held In her hand a
beautiful gold ring. IL have got that from the
minister this very day. y
Congratulated her. She had been a tavorite
pupil OF mine, and | was rather pleased With
what happened. But what" asked her, has
all this 10 do with the census?"
| 8" Oh, just this" continued MISS Rob!na Il
| had no reason TO conceal my age, as Mr.. Fraser
knows 1t exactly, since he bapJized me. He was
young creature then, only three and twenty
so that's just the difference between u.s."
{" Nothing at all, Miss Robina," said moth
ing at all; not worth Mentioning"
" In this changeful and passing world" said
Miss Robina, three and twenty years are moi
much after all, Mr.. MCLAUGHLIN"
Much said l. ''Tuts, my dear, it's moth
1ng-just indeed what should be-
" ! was Just thirty-four last birthday Nc
Lauchlin," said Miss Roblna; 'and the minister
said the last time he called that no young LADY
should take The cares and responsibilities OF
household upon herself till she Was-weli, eigh
and twenty; and he added that thirty four wa
late enough"
''The minister, my DEAR" said I, SIS man
sense"
SO thus were the Miss McFarlanes' censu!
schedules filled up; and IL ever some one IL
search Of the curlOSltieS OF the census snoulC
come across 1t, he may think 1t strange enough
for ne viii find that the three sisters McFarlan
| are all ae year bairnS.-Chdnl5e7S Journal,