The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-02-07

forgive you for finding them guilty of
a serious moral transgression than for
proving them at fault in grammar or
pronunciation. 1 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 roof"
LET 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 u delinquencies will be very
great"
'Speak for yourself, MIR Martin"
said MissGray. at is rather a dan
gerous thing to put that sort of accura-
cyto the proof. But what do others
say?"
Ahearty 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 al
school, and you've been developing il
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 don'tchu, for example, he says
don't you, pure and simple-or where
we say something neal akin to didge
you, with him it is a distinct did and a
distinct you. 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
Latin, satin, etc. We a expect nc
triumph in that quarter"
'Purists are not inpregnable, -
said Eugenia, smiling. 81 have known
them to slip"
Undoubtedly; but I don't consider
myself a purist," said MI. Martin, with
direct mendacity. ..You will have your
doubt. You shall see how meekly
will bear my %reproof."
yes" said Eugenia, smiling de.
murely; 1--WE shall see."
"For my part, l am delighted" said
Mrs. Russell. @fYou have given us
just the impetus we needed, Eugenia.
I meant to have begun this long ago"
"Meant to begin, my DEAR" said her
husband. t'There is number one in the
list of corrections. Sure you don't
mind?"
s.Of course not" said Mrs. Russell,
with a gay good-humor that was per.
haps a tritie overdone, ''if tits perfectly
certain that you are right"
A short discussion of the point en-
sued, which resulted, of course, in Mrs.
Russelrs conviction.
"Poor little MINI said Mr.. Russell;
'.I'm afraid she's likely to have a hard
time of it, not being up iii these kind of
things"
..These kind, Mr.. Russel?" said Eu-
genia. Number two!"
Any n who had been looking would
have observed a CLEAN of triumph in
Mrs. Russell's eyes at this.
"These kind of things? Certainly"
said Mr.. Russell. why notP"
Because kind is singular" said Miss
Gray. "You can no more use these
kind than you can say these apple
''Of course" said Minnie, eagerly
Selling the idea; ''or these table, or these
chair, or these spoon"
"Why, Minnie, have you turned
against me, tooP' said her husband.
Certainly. Didn't you turn against
me, I'd like to know?"
"Dear me-" said Carrie Temple. 81
begin to shake in my slippers. 1 wish
1 had plead guilty at first and kept out
of it."
"Pleaded. if you please, Carrie"
said Miss Gray. "Plead is a regular
verb"
"Goodnessr' said Miss Temple. I'll
stop talking altogether"
81 don't know but what I'll follow
your example" MI. Turner was be-
ginning, when he was promptly
bounced on by the others.
'tBut aohat, my dear fellow! Impos-
sible!" said MI. Martin. 81 am rather
surprised to see that our mistakes are
more of grammar than pronunciation u
s.F1ro-nun-She-a-shun, if YOU please,
Mr.. Martini" said Miss GRAY; ..your
u~tterance of the word is very distinct
and refined, in effect, but, unfortunately,
not correct, according to the diction.
aries."*
"Thank you very much for falling
me-" said Mr.. Martin, in his suavest
tone.
There was something ~portentous in
this extreme 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. RusselI's
most successful effort in the way of fur.
nishing and decoration, probably more
than n of them felt that this thing
had gone far enough. 1t would not dc
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
into other channels, said suddenly:
"Eugenia, did 1 tell you that we put
the dado around this ourselves?'
Every creditable to you, TIA sure,
my dear" said Miss Gray, smiling.
"We'n call that word da-do, h-Jwever
if it's all the same to YOU'D as in far
Mrs. Russell, in spite of herself, wa:
perceptibly discounted. Her husband
who had been watching her closely,
perceived this, and realizing perhaps
that his little wife was not g tower OF
strength with regard to language, he
said:
"What does it all matterp These
minute te~chnicalities of speech are moi
very important. 1t should be sufficient
if one tells the truth! For my L4art
have very little sympathy will, thi:
apotheosis of culture"
"Apotheosis," corrected Miss Gray
laughingly.
"Of course!" said Mr.. Martin. .ssVhy
Russell, where's your Greek gone top
Minnie flashed upon him a venomou:
little glance.
Mr.. Turner, meantime. had strolleG
off to the window. He now returned
cigar-case in hand, saying:
Its far too lovely a day to be spent
in dry discussions. Some one come on
on the lawn with me while 1 smoke nj,