Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-05-09

Larkirs-that no thought he could
have endured-but five substantial be.
quests fastened to the old farm like
limpets to rock, barnacles to the hull
Of shipl And Lilias evidently OF.
pected him to adopt them into his affeo-
tions, and tolerate their various eccen-
tricities, even as she had done. Lilias
was such pretty, dove eyed, confiding
little thing She should not be tor
mented, at all events, he resolved.
II Johns 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- hazarded observa-
tions, studiously yelling the current
of his thoughts for, as they neared the
old home, Lilias 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 aud evergreens,
with lights cleaning in all tho windows,
and Johns folks were all assembled
at the door to welcome the new mar
ried couple. First and foremost stood
the escaped Mormon "a tall, veneer
able gentlemen, with lowing beard
and suit of pepper-and-salt, with red
necktie and turnover collar.
Welcome, my children, welcomeT
said this venerable relic OF the past,
with an air as patronizing as if the
whole house belonged to him. II
shall use my every effort to m Ike your
stay at Lsural Farm agreeable. You're
little "-glancing reproachiully
at the clock-"and 1 ara afraid the
roast fowls will be spoiled. II always
disagrees with me to eat overdone
poultry but, OF course, this will not
happen again
"Oh, 10, indeed, papa r. said Liiias,
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 stu Il made
in a most outlaniish fashion.
you'll have to sleep in the garnet
chamber tonight, Lilias," she said,
gloomily. 1--WE had yours white.
washed and cleaned. and it amt dry
yet"
"But it was calcimined only lsst
fall, Aunt Grace T. said Lilias, piteously.
81 can't help that" said Aunt Grace,
with sn;flle. Cleanliness is next TO
godliness, and amt one to live in the
dirt. You wouldn't ask me or your
step pa to turn out OF our rooms, would
you?'
ooh, no, nor cried Lilias, eagerly.
Oorcas and Keturah Sat knitting on
either side Of the fire, evidently in a
very i'll humor.
"We was invited to tea to Miss Dea.
con Plumbaso's tonight" said the
elder sister.
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 60 there now" moodily
added Keturah.
"But some folks don't care how they
inconvenience other folks" said Dorcas,
as she extended a fabby, mittened
hand to her new cousin in. law without
looking at him.
81 am very sorry rleaded Lilias.
with troubled face.
"Well. then, Grace" said the mil.
leniurl mana stout, rubicund little
fellow, with a red nose and hair as
white as silver" let US have supper
served at oIce. What a. We waiting
for p
And Mr.. and Mrs. Fame were COM
PEELED to seat themselves without loss
Ct time at the table, without an oppor-
tunity to remove the dust CT travel OF
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. Ps
will be so put out and Grace and Re.
turah like punctuality. For this once,
do oblige mea"
Mr.. Fame looked around in some sur
prise. Here were he and Lilias, the
fiehtful owners OF the house, placed in
the position Of second-rate guests OF nc
great importance one way OF the other,
while "pa." Aunt Grace, the resentful
sisters and the millennium reigned 81
preme, and Lilias hardly dared to ex
press an opinion Of her own in theii
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 wa,
skimming milk, and looked sharply
about him.
"My dear Aunt Grace" said he.
cheerfully, "will it inconvenience you
il use some Of these shelves for my
chemicals p
Your-what p said Aunt Grace,