The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-06-07
TED'S APOLOGY.

Her name is really Ellcn-hcr first |
namc-but mothers name is Ellen, too;
so when she came to spend the winter
Mt our house, father said we better call
her Cousin Babbctt, SO SO not to get her
mixed up with mother.
1T was April Fools Day, and that
year it came in vacation; not real va
cation; but the teacher had to 90 homo
to comfort her mother, because the
brother that they had heard was
drowned at sea wasn't really drowned,
but had come home alive and well. So
there was no school April Fools Day,
which we fellows IN thought was pity,
because you can always get such good
chances to play tricks on the girls at
school.
We'll, Nat WinSlow and Iwcrc snow.
balling, out in the side yard. There
was plenty of snow, and it was just
moist enough to make good balls, ard
VIC were making up a lot to stock ouI
fort with. We were just beginning to
build the fort when mother came to the
door in her little rcd shawl, and called
INC up to the steps.
u want YOU TO go down to Miss
Parker's, Tcd,n said She, "and tell the
minister that the teachers meeting will
be here at three o'clock tomorrow aft
crnoOn, instead of at Mrs. Dunlap'si
her baby has the measles"
"All right, ma 'am,' said !; "can
Nate 60, too?'
"Ycs, of course, only don't forget the
Crrand,' said mother; and then she
went in, but III Just Il minute Cousin
Babbctt came and put her head out,
with purple woolcn hood w.
"Thcodorc," said she, ''your mother
says if the minister isn't homo, leave
Pa I'll
mind you don't 90 and forget it,"
just rs she started to 90 in she hap.
pcncd to sec little bundle that was on
the steps. 1t was only an April Fool
parcel that we had been leaving about
on the sidewalk TO fool the girls with-a
square block of wood tied up in brown
paper, and a card inside with April Fool
written on it.
"Thcodorc." said Cousin Babbctt.
puckcring up her mouth and looking
solemn, ''Thcodore Davis, what II boy
you AR! Don't You let me know OF
your taking that foolish bundle to the
minister, now! wonder what under
the canopy you'll think of ncxt.'
Now there's something very queer
about Cousin Babbett, and somehow.
even II she Is my own second cousin, |
don't like her very we'll
1t isn't that she wears felt slippers
and you never can hear her coIninr;
nor because her hands are always cold;
nor because she calls me Theodore; nor
because she thinks mincc-pic is I'M
wholesome for boys, and always srowls
when l have piece; and don't think
IL Is because she has carachc and ALWAYS
wears II hood.
In fact l don't know what it is. but
when Cousin Babbctt tells fellow not
10 DO thing, it does Just pvcrlastingly
make him want 20 90 and do il!
ii must be something in the way she
says things; for never feel that way a
bit about mother; or father, and when |
visit Aunt Sophia and she says: Il
wouldn,t t if | were you, Tcd''--whv, l
Wouldn't 60 and do anything, not for a
hundred dollars!
But Cousin Babbctt is different fit
hadn t been for her, never would have
taken that package to the minister; of
course not; never would have thought
o1 such thing. But when Cousin Bah
bctt went and said ''dont," that put it.
INTO my head, and | wanted to do it
night away.
She went in and shut the door, and
p,rk'd up the package and put it in my
Jackct-p0ckct.
=, you daSsrn't give it to him." said
Nate. gigging.
''H' i u" 'aN> To, sand !; "COmC
along and see if DON'T
felt brave enough then. for il yv,s ,
good long way to Miss Parkcr'S, where
the minister boarded, but when we
reached the house and had knocked. I'd
nave given good deal if hadn't told
Nate I'd do il.
MISS Maria came to the door; she
was the youngest and the crosscst of
the two Miss Parkcrs When she
opened the door and saw who was
mere; she capped it TO again, all but
ll'tlc crack, as if she was afraid we
w. To"lu LuSl1 III pell-mcll in spite OF all
eno colllo uo Don't come in" said
Shc; your feet are muddy. What do
you want?"
'ls the minister in?" said I.
mo, he isn't" said she, very snop-
1shIy, indeed. 'Ilc's gone TO Durham
CcntcI to funeral, ana won't be back
till two"
"Wip you please give him ,his
bundic?' said |, "and tell him that
teachers meeting will be at our house
tomorrow, because Mrs. Dunlap's
baby's got the measles"
"Of course it has," said Miss Maria,
speaking very sharp and quick. Il
amt mite surprised. They're always
havin' somcthin'. They only do it. tn
oe aggfaVatln Shut the gate and
latch it.
/ was sorry had done it even then,
and by the time / got home I'd have
given my skates and my "Swiss Family
Robinson" to have that package safe in
my hand again.
1 almost made up my mind to go back
and tell Miss Parker il was n mistake
about the package, and ask for it back;
but of course didn't really dal to do
that; and to make thinks worse, Nate
kept saying: "Oh, my, Ted! I'm glad
didn't do it. Won't you catch it
when your father knows! / wouldn't
be in your shoes for a good dealp
till I just wanted to shake him till
his teeth chartered.
At dinner it was Just as bad. / didn't
care about the chicken and rice, and /
almost didn' twant any pudding, though