The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-15

scene OF action, leaving her nelgnDor
in possession of the field. The pre-
dictcd quarrel had come, greatly to
Mrs. Sunderlands modification for to
have it known to the whole town that
she was at variance with her next door
neighbor--as, thanks to Mrs. Cooper's
unscrupulous tongue, it speedily was
was felt by the widow to be a real dis
grace
All that she could do to smooth mat
ters over she did, with no effect, how
ever, except that Mrs. Cooper subsidized
gradually from a ferocious into sulen
mood, but lost no opportunity of ex
hibiting her dislike and ill-will in the
numberless little ways which neigh
Dor can always make available.
The quarrel between the boys was
of much shorter duration. In the
course of few days Charles red
head was again seen bobbing over the
division. fence, and Frank being re-
sponsive, the former intimacy was
soon re-established. When September
came and the schools re. opened the
two lads became school-mates aud
class s-mates.
Charlie was bright boy, and his
parents had kept him steadily at school,
and were very proud of his attain
ments but though he was two years
older than Frank, the latter was more
than his equal in school-standing.
There was no brag about Frank, how
ever, and there would probably have
been no jealousy on Charles side had
it none been excited by home infu-
ence. Mrs. Cooper was bitterly jeal-
Gus and envious, and her sneers and in
nuendoes did much towards making
her son as unreasonable and suspicious
as herself.
A few months after the school open
cd, an examination was held for the
purpose of promoting such of the
scholars as were fitted for the advance
to higher departments in the school,
Frank Sunderland was the only boy in
his class who was successful in passing
the examination, though Charlie
had not been far behind him, and his
heart, and his mothers as well, had
been set upon his obtaining the pro.
motion.
That he failed to do so was, 1 it.
self, a bitter disappointment, bu. lat
Frank should succeed where Charlie
failed was trial much harder to en-
dure. Mrs. Coopers undisciplined
tongue wagged freely, and her opinion
that the school was conducted upon
the rankest principles of favoritism
was widely disseminated. She would
even have been foolish enough TO
withdraw Charlie from the school had
: not his father interposed his rarely ex-
erted authority and put positive veto
upon any such absurd proceeding.
AS usual, Charles wrath soon evap-
J Grated, and as there was now no occa-
, sion for actual rivalry between them,
the two lads got along very harmo.
: niously, and Frank was able to dc
) many kind turn for Charlie, which
I the latter, as general thing, fully ap-
! preciated.
Though very we'll aware of the ru.
NOR of Mrs. Cooper's feelings toward
t her and Frank, Mrs. Sunderland was
r sensible enough to feel rather amused
s than irritated, even when Mrs. Cooper't
q conduct, on their chance meetings
t verged upon actual insolence. The
y widows cheerfulness and politeness
l continued to be quite invincible unit
> the events of certain morning proved
e to her that forbeal ance had at las
a ceased to be virtue.
!. 1t was cold day in January Franz
e had gone to the we'll to draw buckle,
e of water but found the well,bucke
1 half full of ice, so that it would moi
9 sink when lowered into the water
His mother came to his assistance, bu
n succeeded no better than he had done
h Charlie Cooper was at the well IN thei
d own lot, scarcely stones throw dis
:. tant, and he called out:
l "Come fill your bucket here, Frank
!, our well is all right"
Without stopping to ask permission
e Frank scrambled over the fence, ant
= soon the two lads were laughing ant
J. Joking together as Charlie lowered tn,
h bucket. Just then Mrs. Cooper CAM
It out of the house and advanced to
o wards them; she brought anothe
J. bucket to fill, one that was alread,
half full of water, which she was shak
/, ing around in the bucket, preparation.
IS to throwing it out.
:, "What are you doing in my lot, sil
n may ask" she said, as she notices
o the intruder. Frank colored, and tool
up his still empty bucket.
h "Never mind, Charlie" said he
a 1--WE can get the ice out of our ow
# bucket; I'll go back, now"
VI Charlie was provoked at his mother
/ and his temper being as i'll governed a
g her own, he turned towards her an
: grily, crying: whats the use o
3. being 30 hatefulf you ought to b
e ashamed of YOURSELF" at which word
= his mothers anger rose TO the explod
g ing point.
II "Ill thank you to mind your ow
a business, Charlie Cooper !" she said
n and then turning ferociously upon il
offensive Frank, "as for you, yo
70 young haristocrat, / want you to gt
If hoff my premises, and stay hoff en-
:, We don't want no favorites roun
g. here Then, throwing the content
3 of her bucket, not absolutely at Franl
r but with an utter disregard of VIII;
IS she was doing, she dashed the water i
il such a way that the lad was complete
r ly drenched.
d Mrs. Sunderland advanced to ii
r fence to help Frank, shivering an
't crying, to get over it, Her gent
% temper, proof against insults or attach
N directed upon herself, was at la
At aroused. Frank was very delica
70 child, and the effects of such sho we
W bath upon such morning might |
y serious. With flashing eyes and ia,
" flushed with indignation, she turnt
,e upon her enemy, who did have I'll
grace to look little ashamed Of he
is self
y "You are a wicked, cruel woman
m Mrs. Cooper, and henceforth / W
n, have nothing to do with YOU Tb'
r. she hurried Frank to the house, al