The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-08-31
SELECT STORY.
MY FIRST TRANSMISSION.
BY PERCY b. ST. JOHN.
CHAPTER |.

CHAPTER /.
81 do so hate ugly people," l say TO
myself with passionate emphasis, as l
sit on the lawn tearing up the grass
with my small, nervous hands, "and
that is perhaps why l dislike Pauline,
Caroline and Elizabeth SO much. Ugly
people are invariably disagreeable,
judging by my three sisters ugly
people are always jealous of those who
happen to be good looking and have
good compilations. Ugly people like
nothing better than to run down the
beauty they would give anything to
possess. Yes, do dislike my sisters,
and I am not ashamed to own it, for
they are always tattling at me, and
would mako me dress in a dowdy
style and avoid all pretty actions if
they dared
This soliloquy relieves my mind a
little, for l am boiling over with anger
at the injustice l have received from
the heads of my fathers household.
say heads advisedly, because they
manage poor papa's domestic affairs,
and managed him into the bargain.
If papa had his way / should go to
the ball, but he stands 80 much in awe
of Caroline, Pauline and Elizabeth,
that the power is all in their hands.
The excuse is too mean and paltry.
What an opinion they must have of
me to think l should fall in love with
Captain Adderly. after all l have heard
about him. One would think / was q
baby instead of full grown girl of Is,
well able to take care of herself.
"He is bad man, and Nell shall
not be put in the way of temptation
my sister Caroline said this morning,
and when she says anything there is
no appeal against it. Her word is law
in our house, unfortunately,
"Nell !"
/ look up quickly, and see tall form
and merry sunburnt face, and pail
of laughing eyes, which belong to
Freddy Monteith, a neighbor of ours,
and an old playfellow of mine, for he
is only my elder by few years
three, | think.
He is a good fellow and a pleasant
companion, and I like him; it ends
there, for there is no shadow of any
deeper feeling in my heart at least.
"Well,' l jerk out laconically, fol
my i'll temper usually extends to every
body, strangers excepted, who happen
to come near me.
"Why, what is the matter?' he
asks, throwing himself on the grass
and nursing his knees as he looks with
quiet amusement at the tear stains or
my flushed cheek, "what have the
three Graces been doing now, little
one 7"
"Don't be rude" l cry, angrily; al
you don't talk like a gentleman you
can go away. I won't have you make
fun of my sisters"
/ abuse them myself, but won,
have them abused by other people.
His words have aroused a little feeling
of conjunction in my breast. After
all, my halfsisters are not unprepos
sessing, or would not be if they at
tempted less grim and austere style
of dress.
How ugly some women can make
themselves by the fashion of their gar
ments and the way they wear theil
hair. wish my sisters would let me
give them some lessons in the art Of
making themselves attractive.
My angry words only make Freddy
laugh and show his white teeth. No.
body ever puts him out. have never
seen him in rage, and don't sup
pose / ever shall.
"How cross you are" he cries,
putting out a strong right hand to
touch my cheek, liberty which in
stantly resent.
"Leave me alone" l return with
flashing eys; "can't l be allowed tht
privacy Of my own garden9 Have
not had enough to put me out that you
should come here to tease met l wisf
you we're dead"
Freddys smiles fade and his face
saddens. He looks at me 80 reproach
fully that feel horribly guilty, and
long to beg his pardon for my wicded
words but pride steps in and seals my
lips-.pride'or ohstinaoy,
"You will be sorry for that III
says quietly; "perhaps some day you
will regret it with all your heart
And then he rises and goes slowly
across the sunlit lawn, leaving INT
alone.
"Freddy," l cry .impatiently, but h,
does not hear, or surely the next mo
ment would see him at my side, my
frank, pleasant friend and old play
fellow.
Elizabeth appears at the side doc
at this moment, shading her eyes from
the sun with her hand. She is dressed
in a straight garment, which fall
around her in stiff, ungraceful folds,
No argument in the world woult
ever induce Elizabeth to wear a bus
tie.
What a contrast we must make,
think, gazing down at my pretty frill
of delicate lace. How can Elizabetl
dress so?
Presently Elizabeth sees me, am
stalks-that is the worst of it-stalk
across to where am sitting, an angr,
light in her small, gray eyes.
"Are you not tired of wasting tn
precious momeutsi' she asks. "Yo
know what is said about idle hands,
"What is there for me to dof"
inquire defantly. "Would you lik
me to go and help cook and peel tn
potatoes for dinner, or shall ] swee
out the parlor2'
II should like you to find somethin
to do" she returns. "There is nothin
so horrible to me as sloth."
There is a hot rebellious feeling {
my heart, and when we reach the sic
door come to a sudden standstill.
swell, are you coming?' asks Eli
abeth, looking back at me as she ente
the passage.
mo-" is my answer; ~ am N
going to waste this lovely day insit
| the house. Wait until the dull da,
come and then | shall not feel so mut
| like a Gagged bird. want to be out
the fresh air and sunshine, and VI