Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-10-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
.Father.Knew Rest, ii seems.


!" Oh, dear!" said Emma, and she
looked Disguised.
e 1 think as much,'' said Laura,
and she pouted. 1t was all because
in lovely wood they had come miles
to find there was great picnic party,
filling the boats on the little river, fill
ing the swings, using the croquet-
grounds, using all the nice cosy sit
ting-places under spreading trees,
using the tables and benches, swarm
ing everywhere. Now, the fact was
that Emma and Laura wanted that
grove for their picnic, and the people
who were to attend it were mother and
father, and baby Joe, and their two
selves.
1t was quite an event to the Law
renee family, for father rarely had a
day to spare.
trying to smile away the trown on her
daughters faces. "Our party is so
small, we can find pleasant place
elsewhere.
But the girls didn't believe it, and
they spoiled two miles of that ride in
fretting. They found lovely old
tree, and smaller ones near it, and a
stream of clear water trickling down
from somewhere.
'.Oh, OH they both said. 'sFather,
do please stop here. Mamma, only
see what lovely pIace!"
But the father had been locking at
thesky for some minutes, andhe shook
his head.
SIT wouldn't be safe, girls. There
is heavy storm coming this way,
think. We must drive on, and reach
a place of shelter. It wouldn't he
good for little Joe to get wetting. y
Then you should have heard Emma
and Laura, they grew so wise! They
were sure it wasn't going to rain q
drop to-day; and when their argu-
ments failed to convince their father,
and when he further said that they
must try to reach the village, and eat
their lunch at a hotel, then the misery
of these unhappy girls was great
''The idea, they said, = OF waiting al
summer to have picnic, and Their
eat their dinner.Out OF basket id ;
miserable little country hotelI They
were not going to do it," Then l re.
greet to tell you that they sulkcd ans
refused to do more than to glance
stittly at certain pretty sights which
mother pointed out on the way. Ar
rived at the hotel they wanted no din
ner, not they; and they tossed the;l
heads and looked injured.
They would go for a walk; and il
was by their fathers command thai
they took an umbrella. However, il
was just Il dash of rain lasting just
long enough to wet the girls.
81 If we had been under the big tree
where we wanted to stop" they said
"there couldn't Il drop have touched
u.s.
Much more of this kind they said
and when the horse was rested, they
started homeward father, sorry f6I
his daughters disappointment, re.
marked that, if the woods we're moi
too wet they would stop awhile.
Too wet!'' said Emma, q Why il
hasn't rained twenty drops. y
. Noindeed," said Laura But as
they rode along, the way grew mud
der, and muddier, and it was evident
that in this direction the shower had
been heavy.
At last they came to the great old
tree; but what do you think had hap,
pened? Why, the lightning mad been
there, and torn the branches, and up,
rooted part of the heavy trunk, and
ruined the beautiful tree.
"Oh, my!'' said the mother.
"That would haze been certain
death to any one under its branches, -
said the father; while the girls look.
ed at each other, and said not word
That evening, while they were max,
ing ready for the night, Emma said,
Father knew best, it seems.
" Yes, indeed!" said Laura.
What a pity that they spoiled muc!
of their day by not remembering tina,
before THE Ponsy.