The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-02-09

clal OBJECT OF their thoughts. MISS
Gray, all in white, was stretched at ease
in hammock, and Mr. Martin sat
near by in garden-chair and gently
manipulated the Misunderstanding. At
little distance the forms of Mr.. Tur-
ner and Miss Temple could be seen
strolling about the garden-paths, and
Mrs. Russell, observing all this, felt
within her a supreme content.
At breakfast, next morning, when the
delicious country cream and butter and
fruit had received their full share of at
tention, and every one was in his or her
best humor, the little hostess solemnly
proposed that they should, that morn
ing, begin their schemes of self-im-
provement, by entering into a resolute
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 Endorsed 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 mstake-w which
isn't likelyn'
81 hope not, certainly" replied Miss
Gray; but do you know, Minnie, |
hardly think this happy thought of
yours! I've seen it tried before. and
the result was not pleasant. It has been
my experience that people will sooner
forgive you for finding them guilty of
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. -
''Let us prove it, said Minnie, look
ing eagerly around the table. ''Why,
it would be contemplate weakness to
be offended by such thing as that
Don't you all agree with me inthinking
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. Martini"
said Miss Gray. ''It is rather Il dam
gerous thing to put that sort of accura-
cy to the proof But what do others
say?'i
A hearty concurrence in Mr.. Russell's
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
I've known him. Where the most of
us say dO'atchu, for example, he says
don't gOu, pure and simple-or where
we say something near akin to djdge
yOu, with him it is distinct did and a
distinct you. And when he has occa-
sion to mention his own name it is
clear-cut Martin, and not Martin, as
our slovenly habit is. So also with
Latin, satin, etc. We can expect no
triumph in that quarter"
''Purists are not impregnable,
said Eugenia, smiling. 81 have known
them to Slip"
Undoubtedly; but I don't consider
myself a 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, l am delighted" said
Mrs. Russell. ''You have given us
just the impetus we needed, Eugenia
l meant to have begun this long ago"
"MeGnt to begin. 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 a gay good-humor that was per-
haps a trifle overdone, ''if tits perfectly
certain that you are right"
A short discussion of the point en-
sued, which resulted, of course, in Mrs
Russells conviction.
Poor little MINI said Mr.. Russell;
"pm afraid she's likely to have a hard
time of it, not being up in these kind of
things"
''1hese kind, Mr.. Russell?" said Eu-
genia. Number twon'
Any one who had been looking would
have observed CLEAN of triumph in
Mrs. Russell's eyes at this.
"These kind of things? Certainly"
said Mr.. Russell. why not?''
because Kind is singular" said Miss
Gray. You can no more use these
kind than you can say these app e."
"Of course" said Minnie, eagerly
Selling the idea; ''or these table, or these
chair, or these spoon"
"Why, Minnie, have you turned
against me, too?' said her husband
Certainly. Didn't you turn against
me, I'd like to know?"
Dear me-" said Carrie Temple. II
begin to shake in my slippers. l wish
| had plead guilty at first and kept out
of it. ="
"Pleaded, if you please, Carrie"
said Miss Gray. ''Plead is regular
verb"
"Goodness!' said Miss Temple. I'll
stop talking altogether"
81 don't know but what I'll follow
your example" Mr.. Turner was be-
ginning. when he was promptly
pounced on by the others.
''BWt a0hat, my dear fellow! Impos-
sible!' said Mr.. Martin. II am rather
SurnriSpd tn seq that orr niStalyaS ora