St. Landry democrat., 1882-09-09

is he?' asked the young man, with a
merry twinkle in his eyes.
Yes. You see, she's twenty-six wear
old | heard her tell mother so, the
other day; an she amt married yet
She expects to catch Mr.. Durstan with
her frizzes, an paints, an geweaws.
She's hired me an Pet to help her
only Pet says that she Won t lie even to
get her off n our hands; an Pet he's it
the hardest of any one. She has to take
her old dresses, an l spose she's got
to be a little girl till Celia'> married, if
'tain't for twenty years. You see Pet
she's sight prettier' n Celia ever was,
an she take the shine all off her, if
she came in for her share O the beaux
There-he's an bblin' at the baitr'
"Well,' said the young man, as
Dick attention became wholly absorbed
in the fish, $50 you are going to have q
wedding soon? Does Mr. Dunstan come
to see your sister often?'
''He amt ever seen her as know
Of" said Dick. Il hope it won't tizzle
out as the other weddin' did, cause
shes 5 promised me lots O nice things if
he marries her. Pm to tell him what
a nice sister she is. She amt half as
good as Pet, though. She boxes my
ears an Pet never did - There he is
again! o! oh! help me pull him inn'
Dick sprang up, clutching his rod
wildly and pulling with all his might.
BE careful, or you Il lose him. said
his new friend, ''Let me show you
how. You must draw the line slowly
and carefully. Theren' as he dropped
! the monstrous fish in the beat Thai
fish will make meal for good-sized
family. You re in luck, Dick
Dick carried his trophy home and
presented it to his mother with pride
sufficient for whole regiment OF victo-
rious soldiers.
Amid the expressions of delight and
extravagant praises heaped upon this
young hero, he described his new ac-
quaintance in glowing terms.
Hes the iolliest fellow that ever
was" he said; san we're goin a-ishin'
real often.''
A few days later. Mr.. HAYWOOD in
formed his family that Mr.. Dunstan had
arrived. and would take tea with them
that evening.
Dick was sent to a distant field for
some blackberries. with which to honor
the occasion, and Pet volunteered to
accompany him When their dish was
about half-f with great. delicious
looking berries, Dick suddenly eZ-
claimed:
"There he is! Hello, Mr. forget
your name, or else | never knew it..'
"My name is Leroy, Dick said he,
smiling, as he advanced toward them.
This is Pet" said Dick, by way of
an introduction. "You know | told
you about Pet"
81 am very happy to meet Miss Pet"
said he, setting himself to work at
picking berries as though he had come
for this express purpose.
By the time the task was completed,
Miss Pets bright eyes and sparkling
face had become sadly entangled in the
meshes of the young stranger heart.
She had always been regarded as a
child, and although nearly seventeen
years of age, was SO child-ike that she
saw no improperly in enjoying his So
ciety while the privilege lasted
I, Il have an engagement to meet your
father this afternoon, Miss Pet said
he, when the dish was filled with ber-
ries, .'and with your consent l will
walk home with YOU" .. ....
''Why, of course you'll walk with
US" answered Dick. "You'd d look nice
a-sittin' by the road, an a-waitin' for
us to get home, an then come toggin'
along behind-now wouldn't you?'
80, Dick, you bad boy" remon-
strated Pet, gently, while Mr.. Leroy
laughed. and said that Dick was a boy
after his own heart.
Arrived at home, they found the
whole family-that is, MIR. and Mrs
Haywood and Miss Celia-assembled in
the parlor, awaiting the arrival of their
distinguished guest.
Pet and Dick had been instructed to
carry the berries around to the kitchen,
and not appear in the family circle un-
til tea time. But Pet decided that it
would be impolite to leave Mr.. Leroy
to enter the house alone; SO she sent
Dick around the back way with the
berries, and she ushered her new ac-
quaintance into the parlor, where Celia,
in her handsome dress, proved marked
contrast to the little sister, with the ber-
ry-stains on her fingers, and suspicious
ly near her rosy mouth.
"Why, Dunstan." exclaimed Mr..
Haywood, before ret had sufficient time
to introduce him, .'where did you come
across the children?'
lin the berry patch" said he, with
the utmost 7sonchaia1ace, while over
Pets face swept look OF CONSERVATION.
Could this pleasant, genial gentleman
be the grand parsonage whom her Sis
ter was to marry?
/ elf that's Mr.. Dunstan, Celia s
weddin' has fizzled again. Dick con-
ided to Pet, on the back porch. after
tea, while Celia was straining every
parva +r> ,-poor n o,rraoa h1a and faScInaE-