St. Landry democrat., 1882-09-09

a-gOln' to make a cOntdant O me. Now
she needn't think Pm a-goin' to jine
the church, for shan do it. The min
lister baptized six confidents last Sunday;
but 'twould take more n one pint o pea
nuts to get me into the water with my
best breeches on. They'd never be fit
to be seen after that, an dom t get new
duds so often that I can afford to spile
EN- just to please herr
"Mother," remarked Miss Celia, Sc
riously, after Dick exit, Il am going
to engage both the children to 8ssist me
this time. They have been tie means
of spelling my matrimonial PROSPECTS
several times in the past. / think, if
they understand matters at the start
they will be more careful this time.
They will be only too glad to have me
| married and settled in a home of my
own
YES sighed Mrs. Haywood, faint
ly, as her daughter paused and seemed
to expect a reply.
You may make arrangements to get
the dress for me,' she added, as she
arose to keep the appointment under the
maple-tree. ''Pet will be glad enough
she understands the state of affairs
Dick and Pet were under the maple
as Celia approached, and that young
lady could not help admiring the fresh,
piquant face of her Little sister, as
she had always called her, but somehow
the little sister seemed uncommonly tall
and womanly on this especial afternoon.
She was seated in careless grace un-
der the maple-tree, weaving chain of
blossoms with which to ornament Dick S
hat.
"What is it, Celia9" cried Pet, as her
sister drew near. "Are you really 60
ing to get married at last? and will you
let me make the wedding -cake?"
"Yes, if you'll both promise to help
me" Celia began. Il might have
been married long ago, if it hadn't been
for you two. You remember Doctor
Landon, who
"Yes, know faltered Pet, with a
conscious blush; ''but / was little
thing then, and didn't understand how
to use deception.''
"And | remember Fred Jones. how
he took his hat an shot out OF the parlor
like rocket when l told him that you
painted, an powdered, an squeezed
your waist, and wore false hair, an -"
"Stop, Dick"' cried Celia, severely.
"Now. [ suppose YOU d both be glad if
I'd get married?'
"Crackey! wouldn't we, though? I'd
be willin' to let you have my circus
money, if 'twould help any; but it might
be another tizzle. Guess | won't
"No, l don't want the money: but
I want you both, when Mr.. Dunstan
comes, to speak Of me as though | was
the best of sisters. You understand
what I mean, Pet, and you can instruct
Dick better than | can. Don't allude
to my hair, or if you do, why, speak of
it as though it was my own. fyou can
carry the impression that am about
twenty years old, do so'
"In fact.' cried Pet, Indignantly,
after she had departed, ''she wants us
to tell falsehoods; and I tell you, Dick.
wouldn't do it to get her married
fifty times! Though, to tell the truth,
our home would be much happier if she
was in one Of her own
"Td lie like whitehead to get her
married." said Dick, emphatically.
One day, short time after the above
conversation, Dick Haywood was sitting
on the bank of the river that flowed
| past his home, atno great distance from
the house.
He was occupied in a favorite pas
time, that of fishing, and it seems al
| most wonderful what an amount of pa
| tience and perseverance the most rest
less of boys possess when engaged in
| watching and waiting for bites, which
only attack the face and hands by in
Vulnerable mosquitoes, and never seem
to interfere with the bait which floats
idly in the water under the very noses
of the fishes who pass and repass it in
utter disdain.
Suddenly a loud splash short dis
tance down the river attracted his at
tention, and he glanced in that direc-
ton just in time to behold young man
| draw in large bass, which seemed to
| his excited Imagination as though it
might weigh dozen pounds out of the
| water.
"Crackeyr' he exclaimed, using his
| favorite expression, ''he's got the boss
place for fishing. just wish he' d take
me in the boat with him"
And as if divining the boy $ thoughts,
| the young man turned at that moment
and caught the wistful expression on
| Dicks face.
'.The fishing is better out here" he
called. "Would you like to come in
the boat?"
.sI guess / would, answered Dick,
drawing in his line and preparing to
join his new acquaintance.
The Young man rowed to the shore.
and when they were waiting for '.bites, =
Dick, allowing his curiosity to get the
better of him, asked:
"Do you live about here anywhere:
I don't knows I've seen you afore. =