The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-11-24
A SPLENDID TIME.

when a patter of small feet was heard
upon the piazza, and then a small talk
at the open front door.
Shall we ring the bell, Pattie?''
"Itn 'sturb Aunt Mary"
"Well, that's what bells are form
going to ring"
But Just as Master Frank was about
to awake a peal long and loud, Aunt
Mary called: Come in, children" and
Frank and Pattie ran into the library,
and, without any greeting, Frank ex-
claimed:
"We're come to stay all day, Aunt
Mary, cause mammals gone to Cousin
Bettie's. She's sick, so We couldn' t
60" ....
"And, Aunt Mary" put in little
Pattie, I'm to wear my apron till aft
ernoon. Mamma said 1 must tell you,
for | might forget and take it off
wish you'd forget, too, for l hate to
wear aprons"
Aunt Mary laughed, and said she was
glad to see them, but Pattie must wear
her apron if mamma said so.
There was no little children at Aunt
Marys house; Cousin Mamie was a
young lady. Frank and Pattie were
very fond of her, and sometimes she
played games with them; but she was
busy this morning in her own room, so
Aunt Mary told the children they could
90 out of doors to play
They stood for some time on the lawn
wondering Whist they should play Then
Frank said:
Tell you what, Pattie, lets go fish
ing down in the run"
I'VE haven't got any fish-hooks, :"
said Pattie.
GIVE got one. I'll lend it to YOU
some, or can bend a pin for you, and
we can find some poles"
"Well," assented Pattie, delightedly,
land may be-may be Wen catch some
fish for dinner, or to take to mamma. :"
So the two children ran off to the run,
very small stream in view of the
house. But to reach it they had to pass
over a newly -plowed field, and their
shoes were plentifully covered with
fresh earth by the time they stood be-
side the run.
Frank arranged the fishing-poles and
lines, first catching his hook in Pattie's
apron and tearing it, but at last they
were settled, and sat quietly on the
bank, Pattie jerking up her bent pin
every other second to see if she had
bite.
"Why don't we catch somethine?n
she said at last, as she began to tire of
sitting still.
81 don't know; 'spect it amt good
day for fishing. Father says some days
you can't catch fish"
81 guess this is one of those days."
said Pattie. anyway, I'm tired of
sitting here"
$50 am l." said Frank. LETS go
into the peach orchard and get some
peaches"
"But we must ask Aunt Mary" said
Patie.
So they stumbled over the rough field
again. climbed fence on which Pattie
tore her apron again, not much to her
regret. Then they reached the orchard;
Pattie ran to the house and received
permission from Aunt Mary They
tried TO shake the trees, as the hired
boy did at home. but somehow the trees
would not shake for them. Then Frank
said he would climb up and shake the
branches.
And IN hold my apron right under
and catch the peaches,' said Pattie..
She took her stand close to the tree,
and Frank began to climb up. First he
tore one OF the knees of his pants against
a still twig. then his hat fell off and
Pattle stepped on it; but be got up after
"Now, Pattie! hold out your apron,
I'm going to shake.'' >''
Frank gave vigorous shake. and
came near shaking himself down; but
two big peaches fell; one rolled down a
bank, the other hit Pattie on the sboul-
der. And something else hit Pattie
too, and she screamed Eand jumped and
clapped her hands against her neck. I'M
TIL Frank began to think she was crazy
and he got down from the tree in a GREAT
hurry. Aunt Mary heard the cries. and
came running to the gate to find ont
what was the matter. A yellow-iacket
wasp had been snugly dining on one
side OF the peach which struck Pattie