The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1882-03-09


of a shipl And Lilias evidently, e1-
pected him to adopt them into his stfec-
tions, and tolerate their various eccen-
tricities, even as she had done, Lilias
was such pretty, dove.eyed, confding
little thingl She should not be tor
mented, at all events he resolved.
If 'SJohn's folks" were to be met and
conquered in single combat, he would
do it alone.
And so he looked down with smile
on her innocent face, and replied plea
sanity to her timidly- y-hazarded observa-
tions, studiously yelling the current
Of bis thoughts for, as they neared the
old home, LiEas was evidently grow
ing nervous.
1t was fine old brick house, as Mr..
Fame could see in the cold December
moonlight, surrounded with alternate
rows of leafess naples and eyergreens,
with lights cleaning in all the windows,
and "Johr's folks" were all assembled
at the door to welcome the new mar
ried couple. First and foremost stood
the "escaped Mormon "a tall, vener-
able gentlemen, with flowing beard
and suit of pepper-and-salt, with red
necktie and turnover collar.
"Welcome, my children, welcome ?"
said this venerable relic of the past,
with an air as patronizing as if the
whole house belonged to him. 81
shall use my every effort to make your
stay at Laural Farm agreeable. You're
a little late"- "-glancing reproachfully
at the clock-"and ! am afraid the
roast fowls will ibe spoiled. 1t always
disagrees with me to eat overdone
poultry; but, of course. this will not
happen again"
ooh, no, indeed, papa! !" said Lilias,
eagerly.
Aunt Grace stood in the background
"a grim, bony female-with her face
tied up in her handkerchief, and a
dress of badly dyed merino stuff made
in most outlandish fashion.
"You'Il have to sleep in the garret
chamber tonight, Lilias," she said,
gloomily. "fve had yours white
washed and cleaned, and it amt dry
yet"
"But it was calcimined only last
fall, Aunt Grace !" said Lilias, piteously.
CT can't help that" said Aunt Grace,
with snif1e. "Cleanliness is next to
godliness, and 1 amt one to live in the
dirt. You wouldn't ask me or your
step-pa to turn out of our rooms, would
you?'
"'Oh, no, nor cried Lilias, eagerly.
Oorcas and Keturah sat knitting on
either side >es the fire, evidently in q
very i'll humor.
"We was invited to tea9Aa Miss Dea,
con Plumbago's tonight" So the
elder sister. SA
But Keturah thought we'd ought
to stay and welcome you fust," said
Dorcas.
"And the trains late, and We shan't
be in time to go there now," moodily
added Keturah.
"But some folks don't care how they
inconvenience other folks" said Doreas,
as she extended a Aabby, mittened
hand to her new cousin-in.law without
looking at him.
"I am very sorry" pleaded Lilias,
with troubled face.
"Well, then, Grace" said the mil
lenium mana stout, rubicund little
fellow, with red nose and hair as
white as silver" let US have supper
served at once. What are we waiting
for p
And Mr.. and Mrs. Fame were COM
relied to seat themselves without loss
Ct. time at the table, without an oppor-
trnity to remove the dust of travel or
to refresh themselves after their jour-
ney. Mr.. Fame had indeed ventured to
say something about towels and fresh
water, but Lilias whispered
Never mind just now, dear. Pa
will be so put out, and Grace and Ke-
turah Ike punctuality. For this once,
do oblige me?
Mr.. Fame looked around in some sur
prise. Here were he and Lilias, the
rightful owners of the house, placed in
the position of second-rate guests of no
great Importance one way o, the other,
while "pa," Aunt Grace, the resentful
sisters and the millennium reigned su.
preme, and Lilias hardly dared to ex-
press an opinion of her own in their
presence.
But he made no comment, to. Lilias'
great relief, and endured everything
with the serenity of an Aristotle.
Early the next morning he descended
into the cellar where Aunt Grace was
skimming milk, and looked sharply
about him.
"My dear Aunt Grace" said he,
cheerfully, "Will it inconvenience you