The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-08-08

speaking terms, for they were nagging
each other all the time, and finished
just before dinner with a downright
spiteful quarrel; and Aunt Charlotte
cried. Their grievance was about two
brothers, Tom and Harry Nowill; for
Lottie liked Harry best and Sophy
liked Tom; and with the usual contra
riness Of mankind, Harry was des-
perately in love with Sophy and Tom
with Lottie; so it was usual, after
every merrymaking we might have,
for Lottie and Sophy to fall out about
them. / felt vexed with everybody;
but ] think 1 was quite justified in
being SO, for they would all persist in
believing-or saying that they believed
that was in love with ridiculous
John Howsrth, just because he hap
pened to be in love with me, and took
care that every one should know he
was, too. did think some of them at
least might have had more sense. And
now this fine city belle had appeared on
the scene--oh, felt tempted to break
another best china plate and all the
remaining glasses as L thought about
it. And, if aunt had only known the
state of mind / was in, she would
never have trusted me to wash them
up and put them away. Even our
Newfoundland dog seemed to share the
general dissatisfaction, and kept COM
ing from his kennel as far as his chain
would permit, and uttering long and
dismal howls. The cook said that it
was the sign of death; but the house
maid persisted that it foretold a we'd
ding. l did not feel as if / cared much
which it was or what happened--only
l think felt more inclined for fune-
raj than wedding, especially if the
wedding entailed breakfast and--an-
other party.
My aunt and l had been up as early
as usual this morning-we had too
much to do to be able to lie in bed.
Chris and Peter of course wanted their
breakfast at the usual hour, and their
luncheons-which they always took
with them and ate in a little back room
at the ollice-put up; and then, when
they had started for business, we COM
menced our dismal Investigations
through the house. We always dined
at 6 o'clock, and it was nearly that
hour before we lIad succeeded in re-
ducing the house to anything like
order. Then Lottie and Sophy had
their quarrel, in the midst of which
Chris and Peter arrived, and we went
TO dinner.
Chris folded his arms and put on a
dogged and determined look as he took
his place at the table.
81 breakfasted off cold fowl" he said
gloomily--" lunched off cold fowl
refuse to dine off it,"
My aunt grew fearful again.
This is not cold fowl" she an
swered. at is turkey, and you might
eat it, Cold beef will keep day or
two-fowls and turkeys, with sauce
over them, will not. But turning
to me resignedly--" ring for the beef
to be brought in, Meg we have had
enough unpleasantness for one day."
"How is it there is a whole turkey
left ?" inquired Chris, somewhat molli-
fed as the beef appeared.
"It was Meg's fault" replied Aunt
Charlotte. "She put it on that dark
shelf behind the cellar door, and l
found it there this morning quite for
gotten. But L wonder, Meg, you did
not notice that there were only two
turkeys at supper; this would have
been eaten if it had been there"
Il did not have any supper" 1
said, "for thought there would not
be ROOM"
"That is merely an excuse" inter
posed Lottie; "you were spooning
with John Howarth in the conserva-
tory all supper-time."
1 meant to look defiant, but l may
have looked guilty.
"Did he propose to you?" asked
Sophy, staring at me.
81 will put stop to this nonsense
about John HowaTth," l said deter
minedly. "You shall all know exactly
how the case stands, and then there
will be no excuse for any further dis
play of stale wit at our expense. AS
Sophy suppcses, Mr.. Howarth did pro-
pose to me last night"
"Oh, Chris" interrupted Lottie,
show could you hit my cat in such a
savage way? Come here, Tip-poor
pussy r
"You should teach your cat not to
stick his claws into ones leg at dinner
time" retorted Chris; "then he
wouldn't get hit"
"He was not touching you p re-
turned Lottie, warmly. "He was beg
ging quite inoffensively."
"He was sticking his claws into my
leg" reiterated Chris, with quiet and
most aggraYating obstinacy.
"Now don't you two begin quarrel
ing" said Sophy, impatiently, "but let
Meg tell us about John Howarth. l
have often read about proposals in
tales but have never heard of a real
bona fide one described. Do tell us