The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-06

| On ANYBODY uOeS.
Hush, my dear Henry!" expostulated
his wife, putting her handkerchief to her
mouth as if much distressed, and then
apologetically continued:
Henry is spoilt, you know; our rector is
SO very clever, and says so much in only
twenty minutes"
"Superfcial," remarked Aunt Maria. vi
olently cutting away at the wing of turkey
on her plate. II hope, Tom, you have not
forgotten Mr.. Gowny; pray come there on
Sunday-he appeals SO to the feelings"
Nothing appeals to my feelings like
brevity, Aunt Maria," rejoined Tom
thoughtlessly..
''Then we shall see you" said Aunt Jane
briskly; land to lunch after church, I
hoR ?cS,mn.o,. ~. ,,,n ." ;non;rea n..a
| wiser in his generation 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, thong h." and as the flames arose
and made the sprig of holly crackle, 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 a move for the drawing
room, followed by aunt Jane. Having stood
attention. with their table napkins in their
hands while the two elderly women filed out
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, sound Of female voices in
angry discussion was Enthusiastically heard.
"You Co." said Mr.. Pringle, neryously
appealing to Mr.. Mace.
mo, no, you go!" responded that gentle
man, with a concerned face.
''I'u go!' announced Mr.. Blossom, and
his hand firmly undid the door, and the
others followed him, old Mead bringing up
the rear.
II was prepared for peace, but you have
broken it!''
by no means; it is your uncharitable
"sister!' cried Mr.. Blossom, and his
voice was full of dignifed reproof, lis
this your religion?"
1T is impossible that you can understand
our position, BROTHER" said Mrs. Mace, her
face crimson with mingled feelings; s'you
have meant we'll, 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
mistake in asking you here, but I 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 angrily
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
Der, and you both remember, 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 hass wrought the change? Religion?
Heaven Forbid" and the honest old face
grew earnest and powerful in its look ofap-
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 usas 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, heart" cried Mr.. Mace, enthusiast
tically.
"E can preach and practice too,' mutter-
ed the butler.
| And the Aunts? There was long silence,
and then-O goodly sight!-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-
blaced each other in the spirit of their
girlhood's days.
More punch, sir?" inquired Mead brisk
", finding it necessary to account for his
presence at the drawing-roo door.
Certainly, lots more, and small glasses
| for the ladies'. Come, Mace, Pringle, Tom!
Wake up; We won't part tonight till IL
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.
cts done, sir, and it's we'll done! I never
expected it. Family quarrels is bad, sir,
| but bless you, them religious onesis wuss."
A Partisan Female Agitator.
| Paris letter to New York Times.
T.Onisa Michel is q danger to society.