Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-01-16
How it Was Kept.


phatic response. "We will live to-
gether all our days, and be just the
happiest old maid and old bachelor
that ever existed y
This was the compact entered into
by Jessie and her brother Tom, not
long after the death of their father;
and certainly none was ever made in
more sincerity aud good faith. Tom
had always considered Jessie as just
the best and dearest sister in the
world, and Jessie was equally sure
that there was no one quite like
brother Tom; and in the sorrow and
| loneliness of their common bereave-
ment, their hearts turned toward each
other with redoubled tenderness and
affection.
Mr.. Juniper had been in affluent
circumstances, leaving his property,
by will, to his two children, to be di-
vided by them in any way to suit
themselves. And here arose the
nearest approach to quarrel that
| the two had ever had Jessie declar-
ing that Tom, who had all the trou-
BILE of its management, ought to have
the largest portion; and Tom insist
ing, just as strenuously, that Jessie,
who was less able to care for herself,
ought to have more than he. 1t was
finally settled that Jessie was to take
the money and personal property,
and Tom the business and real estate
and that they were to live together in
the old homestead, just as they al
ways had done.
Tom, certainly, had no reason to
be dissatisfied with this arrangement.
Jessie was not only thorough house
keeper, but took genuine pride and
pleasure in her work. The house was
orderly, and his meals nicely cooked
and served, and Jessie always ready
in the evening to talk to or play or
sing for him.
Jessie had no cause for discomfort,
either, Tom was a model brother, al
ways merry and good-tempered, and
rarely coming home without bringing
her new book or magazine, or some
thing that he thought would interest
and please her. Neither of them
went much into society, but when
they did it was always together; it
being often remarked how attentive
Tom was to his sister, at such times,
and how happy and contented Jessie
was with her brothers escort and So
ciety. This arrangement was not so
satisfactory, however, to many of
their mutual friends and acquaintanc-
es, and there was good deal of muir
muring, especially among the sterner
sex, some of whom did not hesitate
to declare ''that it was downright
selfish in Tom Juniper thus to monop-
olize his pretty sister, especially when
there were plenty of other people, S
sisters around unappropriated.'
y Tom visited New York every three
t months for the purpose of buying
goods. One day he returned from
0 the city in high spirits even for him.
r ''I met John Hammond in New
u York, Jessie. He's head clerk in q
large wholesale house there. And
such a glorious time as we had talk
ing over old affairs He's just the
It same frank, pleasant, agreeable fel.
IS low! You remember my introducing
e him to you at the state fair a yeal
II ago last fall?''
t'Yes. Did he mention his sister
u Julia? We were schoolmates, yor
= know, and fast friends
d II saw her, Nothing would sui
1t John but must go home with him tt
le dinner. Ispent two evenings there
besides; and very pleasant evenings
they were. John is just as outspok
: en- and full of fun as ever. What dt
. . you think he said to me as we wen
IN out for stroll after dinner?''
i, "'Tom, old fellow says he, swh,
don't you get married? A steady
n sensible, good-looking man like yo1
~ ought to have wife
- II told him that I had the best sis
II ter and housekeeper in the world, AM
Z? didn't need any. Then you ought t
u have heard him lecture me ON my sci
fshness.
Il Not content, he said, with re
~ ~ fusing to make some woman happy
ID you must 60 deliberately to work t
I'd make some poor man wretched fo
e. life.'
ut 81 declare, sis, begin to be afrai
that it was little selfish and miserl
lg to keep so much sweetness and beau
= l' ty under lock and key
Is "Nonsense, Tom'' retorted Jes
1g sic, coloring. aAs though j woul
n exchange my brother for the bes
IL, man living. And l think it very in
pertinent in Mr.. Hammond to-t
LII make Sucn uncalled Tor remarks abOl
ed me.
ar- ssYou're entirely in the wrong