The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1883-12-27

a Story of New Years's Day.

NtSl oSSo"h, AZ iAtS OWl uOuSS, l5 NaS
inst father" Mrs. Bell coluely, stout
blonde matron, had let her whole sou
overflow on the little bald head of hel
first baby. Successive babies brought
more outpouring of inexhaustible aztec
ton and indulgence. She was content
as a broodins dove to be only mother"
and thai Mr.. Bell could ask greater
glory or honor than to be "father" why
the idea was absurd. So absurd that il
never came into his mind. On tptoe he
obeyed his wite's injunction and looked
in at the library door.
"What are they doingf' he asked in 8
whisper.
Directing envelopes for the New
Years cards-the invitations to call,
Yen know"
They were certainly pretty, hose
three girls, with their slender forms
thrown into graceful unrestrained atti-
tudes, as they sat about the library Ia
BILE eagerly talking and busily writing.
They were respectively ninete en-, eigh-
teen and sixteen years Old; and called
respectively 10 or Josie for josephine,
Sissy for Cecilia, and Tiny for Christina
These were their home pet names, to be
sure, but following custom that obtains
sowadays, they chose to be known by
these diminutives outside in the FASH
Dnable world. The great society paper
describes them as "three Graces shad-
jig in styles Of beauty from Miss Josie's
brunette brllliancy, through Miss Sissy's
brown haired, blue-eyed bewilderment,
TO Miss riny's moonlight blondeness."
The description was considered accurate
as we'll as extremely Poetcal, and Mrs.
Bell had asked the reporter to lunch.
Josie read of names from list. the
othertWo sisters wrote, and fourth
mite called Poppet-neatly piled up en-
velopes.
Lets see," cried Josie-'the AS,
B'S, Cs-a!l done down TO the Ms.
Morse, Morris. Mcintyre, Mumford-"
Sissy, who WIS biting her pen-handle
in deep reflection. and had turned up
her blue eyes to the ceiling until she
looked ike the saint whose name she
bore, interrupted Just here with,
'Jo. didn't We meet Montgomery
somewhere
Montgomery? No. Yes; there was
somebody of that name. IT seems to me,
AZ Saratoga
Il remember exclaimed Tiny, getting
upon her knees in the chair like child,
and stretching we'll across the table,
somebody, I've forgotten who, brought
him up TO Us one day on the piazza, and
said he was an agreeable man who
lounged about the office and seemed TO
have no friends
ooh, ve-s," said Josie, with uncer-
taintv: and l think lie spoke of being
attic Windsor. in New York. Direct him
an envelope, Sissy
"But, Josie, asked Tiny, do We know
hiuA!"
Nonsense. child; people aren't so ex-
act at New Years. And we must have
Il lot of calls. Three girls OF rs. why,
less than two or three hundred calls
would be dis race"
"Of course" said Sissy, with sense
Of the grayest responsibility; land to Sc
cure that number we must send out at
least twice as many invitations. There,
Mr.. Montgomery. Windsor Hotel 1t
may not ind him, but there's a chance,
and every one counts" she threw the
directed envelope among the others
that were ready to be stamped and
mailed.
well, NY pets" Mr. Bell asked, as
ne came in and looked down at the
pretty group N fond pride, where are
all these cards TO be sent"'
'Oa, papa" exclaimed 10, NOW just
run away-We're so busy
Now, papa, and Susie Jumped up
and kissed him-'do be docile parent,
there's dear"
Yes, and don't disturb u.s." added
Miss Tiny ;clapping her hand over pile
of envelopes to protect them from scru-
tinv.
Mr.. Bell looked amused. patted their
heads.al around, and observed, in
mildly speculative way, as he saw about
one-quarter or the number to be sent,
1T seems to me there are a great
many"
Its all right, papa; We know the
customs of society" came the reassuring
chorus.
I'VE know the cuthtomth of thothiety
perfec'ly," echoed in shrill solo from
Poppet, who a. present lisps, being mi
nus one milk tooth in front. but VINO
will be shortly known to the newspa.
pers as the ''piquant Miss Poppett Bell"
Then all the girls jump up AID make
dash at papa, aud IN q few moments a
handsome cid gentleman, very merry
AID very proud Of his handsome and
merry girls make feint OF having been
eje ted with great vi ,lence from the Ii
brary and the door is closed aud Licked
Cd the inside.
Mr.. Bell can hardly stop laughing to
say TO lis wife. ~ suppose you know
all about the cards sent oIt?'
son. no." she answers placidly; 81
leave social matters to the girls. They're
great favorites, father, and very attrac-
tive. The number of friends they have
is astonishing. It's all right"
BY force of example, Mr.. Bell echoes,
cheeriu ly, "Oh, yes, it's a right"
On New Years day there was very
room, Such filmy, dainty-hued dresses,
such bright cheeks and eyes, such a
bewildering tangle of glossy hair never
before shimmered arou prospero
beamisg Old father. Mr.. Bell was so
apt to be late down town, or deeply alb
sorbed in business schemes, or IS eng
a man" in the librar. during the even
ing, that he had seldom met his daugh-
tiers in grand toilet, and had never real
lied what radiant creatures they were,
and that uptown he was chiefly known
as the Bell cir s father" He himself,
IN full dress and light overcoat, was
complimented by his Ell lest daughter
as lust TOO sweet for anythip ." Then
iIC pcd inLO tile consumed a
formidable list, and began the days
work.
The first caller at the house was old
MIR. Crump-" nobody at all, you know;
just friend of mammals ages ago,
when she was young" as Sissy Re-
marked.
"Ah," exclaimed Mrs. Bell, with rap
ture, as she was entertaining him, "my
dear girls are quite leaders of society,"
eyes, madame" answered the ride
ulous old party; ''and we live in the
only country in the world where moth
er can make such boast Of children IN
their teens"
II know it," responded the mothe.
with sigh of pious contentment, land
I'm devoutly grateful Tor our free insti-
tutio1s."
Free and easy institutions" Mr..
,Crump suggested, then pinching Pop
pets cheek, he asked: "Well small
child. and what do YOU do on New