The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-02-07

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agreement to tell each other of mis-
takes in grammar and pronunciation,
whenever any member of the party
should detect such on the part of any
other member. Her proposition was
warmly indorse1 by all present, with
one exception. Miss Gray was silent
"Why don't you speak, Eugenia?"
said Mrs Russell, observing this.
''Surely you wouldn't mind beng told
if you should make a mistake-which
isn't likelyr'
81 hope not, certainly" replied Miss
Gray; 'but do you know, Minnie, l
hardly think this happy thought of
yours I've seen it tried before, and
the result was not pleasant. 1t has been
my experience that people will sooner
forgive you for finding them guilty of
a serious moral transgression than for
proving them at fault in grammar or
pronunciation. | have scarcely known
any one who could take that sort of
thing well, and it is hardly to be ex-
pected that six shining exceptions to
the general rule can have been brought
together under one roof"
FLet US prove it, said Minnie, look
ing eagerly around the table. "Why,
it would be a contemplate weakness to
be offended by such a thing as that.
Don't you all agree with me in thinking
we could stand the test?"
Certainly" replied Mr. Martin.
''And besides, it is not to be expected
that our delinquencieS will be very
great"
Speak for yourself, Mr.. Martin, :"
said Miss Gray. at is rather a dan
gerous thing to put that sort of accura-
cy to the proof. But what do others
say?"
A hearty concurrence in Mr.. Russells
plan being expressed by all, the resolu-
ton was according passed.
"Of course, no one is going to catch
You, Eugenia," said her friend. "You
were a swell at this kind of thing at
school, and you've been developing it
ever since. Neither can we hope to
catch Mr. Martin nOdding. His ex-
qUisite pronunciation has been the de-
light and despair of my life, ever since
Eve known him. Where the most of
us say d0n'tchu, for example, he says
don't yOu, pure and simple-or where
we say something near akin to didge
yOu, with him it is distinct did and a
distinct qOu And when he has occa-
sion to mention his own name it is a
clear-cut Martin, and not Martin, as
our slovenly habit is. So also with
LGtin, satin, etc. We can expect no
triumph in that quarter. ;"
''Purists are not impregnable,
said Eugenia, smiling. Il have known
them to slip"
Undoubtedly; but don't consider
myself purist," said Mr.. Martin, with
direct mendacity. You will have your
chance at me, Miss Gray, L don't
doubt. You shall see how meekly l
will bear my reproof."
YES" said Eugenia, smiling de-
murely; 1--WE shall see."
"For my part, am delighted, said
Mrs. Russell. "You have given us
just the impetus we needed, Eugenia.
meant to have begun this long ago"
"MeGnt to begjn. my dear" said her
husband. "There is number one in the
list of corrections. Sure you don't
mind?"
"Of course not. said Mrs. Russell,
with gay good-humor that was per-
haps a trife Overdone, IF it is perfectly
certain that you are right"
A short discussion of the point en-
sued, which resulted, of course, in Mrs
Russell's conviction.
Poor little MINI said Mr. Russell;
"Tm afraid she s likely to have a hard
time of it, not being UP in these kind of
"Thcsc kind, Mr.. Russell?" said Eu-
genia. Number twor'
ANY one who had been looking would
have observed CLEAN of triumph in
Mrs. Russelrs ewes at this.
These kind of things? Certainly"
said Mr. Ru sell. why not?"
Because bjnd is singular" said Miss
Gray. You can no more use these
kind than YOU can say theSe apple"
''Of course" said Minnie, eagerly
chair. or tReSn $o0oR.'
"Why. Minnie. have Won turned
against me. to-? said her husband
Certainly. i2iin't You tnrn against
me, I'd Ike t. hnDH."
Dear me- said Carrie Temple. Il
begin to shake in my slippers l wish
l had plead guilty at first and kept out
of it. y
"Pleaded, if you please, Carrie"
said Miss Gray. plead is a regular
verb"
Goodness" said Miss Temple. I'll
stop talking altogether"
Il don't know but what I'll follow
your example" Mr.. Turner was be-
ginning. when he was promptly
pounced on by the others.
''But aCbat, my dear fellow! Impos-
siblem said Mr.. Martin. Il am rather
surprised to see that our mistakes are
more of grammar than pronunciation.
''PrO-nun-&he-a-shun, if you please,
Mr.. Martin" said Miss Gray; your
of the word is very distinct
and refined, in effect. but, unfortunately,
not correct, according to the diction-
aries."*
Thank you very much for telling
me, said Mr.. Martin, in his suaveSt
tone.
There was something portentous. in.
this seXtreme civility, as Eugenia
shrewdly suspected, and she fancied
that, in his heart, he disbelieved her.
So she proposed an adjournment to the
sitting room and an appeal to the die
tionary.
When the party entered this pretty
little room, which was Mrs. RuSSell's
most successful effort in the way of fur
nishing and decoration, probably more
than one of them felt that this thing
had gone far enough. 1t would not do
to say so, however, so they all waited
respectfully while the dictionary was
consulted and Miss Gray indicated.
This done, Mrs. Russell, perhaps with
some idea of leading the conversation