The Republican journal., 1883-08-16
usual this mornin give had too much to
do to be able to lie in bed. Chris and
Peter of cAurSe w hntel thair hre ak fast at

nal investigations through the house
We always dinfd at 6 o'clock, and it
was nearly that hour before we had sue
ceeded IN reducing the house to anything
like order. Theh Lottie and Sophy had
their quarrel, in the midst of which Chris
and Peter arrived, and we went to our
dinner
Chris folded bis arms and put on Il
dogged and determined look as he took
his place at the table.
~ breakfasted off cold fowl" he said
gloomily-"I lune ehed off cold fowl re-
fuse to dine off ="
My aunt grew fearful again.
This is not Pld fowl she answered
''It is turkey, and you might eat it. Cold
beef will keep a day or two fowls and
turkeys, with sal bee over them, will not.
But, Turning to me resignedly ''ring
for the beef to e brought in, Meg; We
have had enough unpleasantness for one
day"
GLOW is it there is a whole turk ey
left y inquired Chris, somewhat moli-
ned as the beef a appearcd.
"It was Megs fault" replied Aunt
Charlotte. "Shd put it on that dark
shelf behind the cellar door, and ] found
it there this mPrning. quite forgotten.
But | wonder, Meg, you did not notice
that there were only two turkeys at sup
per this would have been eaten if it had
been there"
81 did not ha e any SUPPER" | sad,
''tor | thought t bat there would not be
room"
"This is merely an excuse, interposrd
Lottle: ''you we're spooning with j Ohm
lloWarth in the conservatory all supper
time"
| meant to dok defiant, but may
have looked guilty.
"Did he propose to you p asked Sophy.
staring at me.
81 will put a stop to this nonsense
about John How hrth," said determin-
cdly. "l ON shall all know exactly how
the case stands, and then there will be
no excuse for any further display Of stale
wit at our expense. As Sophy supposes,
Mr., ll0Warth did propose to me last
night"
"Oh, Chris" iI Iterrupted Lettie, chow
could you hit MY eat in such a savage
way Come herf, Tlp-poor pussy
~ on should teach YOU cat not to stick
his claws into ones legs at dinner time,
retorted Chris; then he wouldn't get
hit"
''lle was not tbuching You !" returned
Lottie, warmly. ''l1e was begging quite
inOt1enSively.'
''Iie was stick ing his claws into my
leg" reiterated Chris, with quiet and
most aggraVatina obstinacy,
'NoW, don't yo4 two begin quarrcling,
said Sophy impat1 1ently, 'but let Meg tell
US about John Ilowarth. have often
read about proposE Ells in tales, but | have
never heard OF a real bona tde one de
scribed. DO tell qs every word he said,
Meg
"Did he 90 down upon his knees e.
asked Chris, 'Fof if he did wish had
been there to see him"
II shall not tell you whether he went
down on his knees or not" | answered
calmly; "nor shall tell you what he
said. But" added, with sentimental
meditation, Che s aid some very nice
things indeed to me-nicer than you
could put together, Chris, if you tried
for hundred years."
Il can assure YOU am not going to
try, even for minqte,' answered Chris,
giving me most savage look.
My aunt suddenly burst into tears.
'This is the finishing blow she said
"Meg going to be married will never
give another party as long as live 1t
was against my bet ter judgment that |
yielded this time. did it to please all,
and this is the result furniture ruined.
eatables wasted, Your father i'll, you all
qualrellng like this, and Meg going to be
married! No, nevf fr another party in
this house"
"What-not even when Meg marries
John HoWarth ?" snfered Chris
"No, not even the b." replied aunt, re-
doubling her sobs.
''Well, don't cry, duntie,"I interposed,
''tor am not going t b marry him. gave
him very decided No."
Chris here gave Quick covert glance
IN my direction, atteI which his aSSump-
tion of perfect indifference seemed to me
a tritle overacted,
son. laughed LOttle, "that explains
why the poor fellow bite trit1e instead OF
fowl with his boiled ham, and never
found out the difference, | thought
what curious taste he had"
But aunt refused to be pacitied she
had reached that state of mind when
troubles are positively preferred to bless
ings.
"Saying mo- to Mr.. HoWarth will not
buy a new drawing room carpet" she
said, "or eat up all the tarts and Gus
tards and cakes. hm warming
to her subject-"the waste has been
shameful. When tho confectioner's man
came this morning, had not a single
cake or jelly or bli nc mango to send
back, for every one has been broken
into. And | saw you, Chris, take just 4
spoonful out OF that expensive porcupine
when palmer cake already commenced
was close by you"
Oh, don't blame Chm is for that, auntie =
! exclaimed. at was done for Miss
Jones, no doubt. If lie had the power
Chris would a bit off the koh-i-Nool
itself if she asked HIM !"
81 would" said Chris 'she is worth 4
hundred h-i-Noors.T
'Really :" observed Peter, aroused al
last from the gloomy lethargy that haC
possessed him all din ner time and ad
dressing Chris. "What a pity she does
not regard you in the same light She
told me last night how She hated dancing
with you, saying tn t you were constant
ly getting your feet on her dress"
"Indeed." retorted Chris, "She tol,
me the very same thing about YOU
81 don't believe it, Sd hid Peter
''Do you mean to say am telling lies p
demanded Chris.
"Another quarrel" cried my aunt
"Oh dear, dear, what vi i'll be the end o
it all ?"
"The end of it all might be pleasan
enough" replied with energy, ''if ever,
one of you would display little com
nonsense. | am out Of patience will
you all !"
"Well, Meg" said Lot tie calmly, "yol
generally seem to consid Ter yourself cap
able Of setting the wor d to rights 81
can you set our little worl I'D straight |
seems to me we are all m {serabe. Wha
can you suggest to make ps happy p
common sense" | repeated 'onl,
common sense. Take my advice, ant
| peace VIII be restored at once"
"Let US have it then,' said my aun
querulously.
"Oh, let us have Mdg's advice a