Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-03-06
Sister Salli..'s Scheme.

Harrison Day was an old bachelor
Not so very old either-only little
way into the thirties But why be was
bachelor at all the Lord only knows
I don't sure for he was one of the most
domestic men living, and loved nothing
better than cosy home fireside, with q
friend or two to help him enjoy it.
He was not eXcessivel1 bashful, and
he was quite able to afford the expense
of a home Though, for that matter,
many young man has found that it
costs less TO keep two than it does to
keep one sometimes. He was quite
popular in society, and he might have
suited himself if he chose but he didn't
choose.
Perhaps the main reason was that he
had such comfortable home with his
bro' her; for ever since George Day
married pretty Sallie Snow. Harrison
had boarded with them And Sallie
took such good care of him and his
traps, that he never felt the want of q
home.
That the way with man-if every :
thing keeps tight and tidy. he can do
very well himself; but once let things
get at skies and sevens generally at
about sixties and seventies under mas
culiDe rule) and straightway he looks
around for a woman to straighten them
up.
However, be the reason what it may.
Harrison Day was bachelor, and 30 he
might have been to this day, if the fates
had no, sent Mrs Sallie q visitor one
summer in the shape of plump, sweet,
lntle schoolma'am with cheeks round
aud rosy as June apple, and lovely
brown hair, which was neither bang
ed" nor burned with hot irons into a
state of nasty mustiuess. nor yet worn
in horrible "lunatic fringe" but SIM
ply rolled back to soft, smooth loops
and braids such as many a New York
belle would give half her diamonds to
have by natural right on her own head
| This pretty little schoolma'am was
called Laura Wilson, and it fell out that
Mrs Sallie- George being away from
home-asked Der brother inlaw to meet
Miss Wilson at the depot on the day
| when she was expected TO arrive.
Harrison did not altogether fancy this
task. But he could not be dlsdbiigiDg
to his good little sister, so lie marched
to The railway station like hero
When the train came in there were
only three lady pas engers One was a
large. benevolent looking old woman
with a basket cou!Ln'r be She The
next was pretty school girl i'll brown
couldn't be she either. But the next
was a tail, angular female, with glasses
aud mcst terrific pull back"
| 1.-THE beau ideal of a schOolma'am
Couldn't sh- flourish birch rod in su
perb st5 len' mentally observed Harri-
son
| Upon that he walked out on the plat
form and addressed the lady with the
grandesI bow:
II presume I address Miss Wilson ?''
| The lady drew hack and said, rigidly.
| Sir, you presume too far. l have
not the honor of your acquaintance
She passed on, aud Harrison drew
back somewhat abashed, when the pref
ty school girl touched his arm
! 81 am Miss Wilson. DID Cousin Sal
| lie send you to meet me, sir ?" she said,
| in clear voice.
Harrison assured her he was sent,
most ayreeably surprised to find this
dear little thing was his sisters guest,
and took her checks to get her baggage.
They were soon on their way to Georges
in carriage, and Harrison used his
eyes so well as to discover that Miss
Laura had the finest eyes and the
softest white hand he had ever seen, in
addition to her other beauties.
| In short, he made up his mind at
once to like her. And before she bad
been Sal'ie's guest three weeks, he bad
taken the steps from liking to some
thing little higher, and was more
than half 10 love with her.
Sallie and George saw the turn things
were taking and were quite delighted
at the idea of having Laura tor sir9f
! But they did not interferaIt, and Mrs.
son seemed so eli TO help him q bit.
Anc'e- afternoon Laura had gone ont for
. wn e alone. Mrs. s .llie thought if
sne got away too. and left Harrison to
Laura on her return, the tete.n I teto so
which must naturally follow. might
nlnhg about good results Any wav.
sae resolved to try. Putting babv
Cpariey TO sleep for his afternoon nan
W Whlch was usually long one, Mrs. Sal
ii' hastily dressed for walk, and going