Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-08-14
SAVED By HIS SISTER.

"Ahem, Lysander,' said Miss Cath
crime Southernwood, one morning, as she
poured out her brothers third cup of
coffee, while he drenched his last buck
wheat cake with sea Of maple syrup.
Il was a-thinking, Lysander, since you
have set your heart on marrying tha,
Jones girl" Lysander, fguratively, at
this announcement pricked up his ears,
for Miss Catherine had been bitterly op-
posed to the idea Of her good looking
bachelor brother consigning his heart and
fortune to the tender mercies of the
''Jones girl, Il was a-thinking," she
went on deliberately, "that mebbe, see
ing they're so kinder pinched fur means,
that might get Olympia to come and
stay awhile this fall, and help me about
the housework. They'll be heap to
do, with the apple-bdtter to make, and
the like; and, besides, | need some help
in the kitchen. Cookin' is gettin' to be
hard work for me now. But there's one
thing about it. Lysander." she continued
as her brother signifed his willing con-
sent and gra,itude-"you must promise
me tha. you won, ask her to marry you
while she is s,ayin' here. 1, would be very
Improper, you know"
Lysander promised. and wen. out to
harness the mare, as Miss Catherine had
decided to drive over a. once, and bring
Miss Jones back with her
She smiled grimly as her brother strobe
away. whistlin9.
"The shortest cut amt allus the near
es, road home" she said, complacen,ly.
"And there's more ways Of killing cat
than feeding Il to death with beefsteak.
There's Hulda Rush ia worth dozen Of
,ha, girl But. la I.ysander ia blind
as q bat. Never could zee On inch before
his nose"
Astonishing how sister Catherine has
come around at last !" thought Mr..
Southernwood to himself. "At first she
couldn't bear the idee Of me a-marrying
Olympia Jones, and now she's actually
a-going to have her in the house. But
that's JUS. like woman Let EN- zee
you will have your own way. aud not be
led around by the nose, and they'll give
righ. up and be as mellow &C fall ap-
pie. But am glad Catherine thought
of getting Olympia here this fall. It'll
be help to 'em both, for the Joneses
are poor. But don't care rush for
that I'd rather have poor girl. any
how, than a fine lady. that didn't know
how to make up feather.bed or fry
slap-iack. I like woman that can
hustle around and see to things, even il
she don't have to do 'em herself-one
that can make pat Of butter, or pick a
goose. or spin hank Of yarn, IT need be.
And like to see woman look neat" he
went on, as he curried the dappled mare
and rubbed her down with wisp Of hay.
And Olympia always looks as neat as
new pin whenever l call there. Any
how, l do hope she'll come!" he added,
anxiously.
Of course, Olympia would go And
she ran quickly up stairs to pack up hei
clothes.
"It's a mighty good chance for me,
she thought, as she brushed her curls be-
fore the little looking glass; "and l will
improve it, too! But l will not help
with the housework very long," she add
ed. "Wait until get to be mistress
up there, and see who'll do housework
them"
Lysander's heart gave a jump as the
wagon hove in sight with its two occu-
pants, and visions of the blissful weeks
to come danced through his mind. He
was so embarrassed and overcome with
delight at the coquettish smile Olympia
bestowed on him that he hardly had pres
ence of mind enough to let down the bars
for them to pass through.