Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-12-18
"FLIGHTYe !"

Five school girls, bright-eyed and
merry voiced, were huddled about a
great wood fire in the otherwise deserted
school-room at - Seminary on the
Hudson. The roaring winds outside
only made the fire seem the cheerier.
And, too, these five girls were so glad to
see each other again, now that the holi-
days were over, that no amount of cold
could dampen their spirits.
They had been .'chums" ever since
they first entered the school; sometimes
a quarrel occurred, and they paired off,
with pretty Martie Banner on both sides;
but it only lasted little while, and the
'Fiveumvirate," as Fanny Decker al
ways called it, went on as smoothly as
ever.
ClaIissa Gray was the Oldest and most
studious, Ella the handsomest, Martie
the most amiable, Nettie the most sty-
lish, and Fanny Fanny was the
dearest. A wild, wild elf was she, the
fourth child Of family of ten, who were
all good-natured and happy, but none
like Fanny sFlighty Fam as her tall,
favorite cousin nicknamed her years ago
They had abbreviated it into ''Flighty," I"
and thus she remained Flighty Decker.
Not teacher in the seminary was there
who did not reprove her at least once a
week, and as she did SO, sigh for small
share of the girls spirits.
But to return to that January evening.
They were eating apples, and Flighty.
having peeled hers, was decorating with
the red, unbroken pairing the fair hair of
Martie, who sat at her feet. She did not
speak, quite unusual for her, but lis
tened quietly to the others.
''Papa gave me some diamond ear
drops" Ella was saying. seYou cannot
imagine how surprised l was, girls.
Christmas morning. at breakfast table.
they lay in blue velvet case by nv
plate"
'.Botherr' cried Flighty. '.I beat you
all. My Christmas gift Il got but one
worth mentioning) is brighter than your
diamonds, more durable than skates or
gloves, will afford more pleasure than
Latin or German, and is all in one parcel,
received by Miss Frances Decker at
o'clock on Christmas Eve"
"Why, Flightyl" cried all four.
''True as fate itselfm
'What was it2 What could it bel
Do tell US, Flightyr' they chorused.
We'll, be quiet, and I WILL" an
swered the heroine Of the hour, genialIy
and little patronizingly. 'Did you
ever hear of my cousin, Parke Ingra-
ham?''
'Dr. lngrahaml I guess SOP ex-
claimed Ella. "Papa thinks the world
Of him, for he saved my little brothers
life when three other doctors had
failed"
YES" he is a wonderful doctor, . said
his cousin, complacently. "Well, he and
his mother, Aunt Evelyn, who is my
fathers cousin really, live all alone in
Clinton avenue. | spent my holidays
with them, for father and mother and
the youngsters went out to grandma's,
and she didn't want me; I'm too noisy
SO Aunt Eve kept me. And he
Cousin Parke, mean-is my Christmas
gift; he asked me to marry him when
I've finished school"
''Oh, Flightyr
Awed silence followed, broken only
by a giggle from the engaged young
lady.
How did he say it, FanT' asked Mar
tie, cautiously, after while.
'I'll tell you. 1t was jolly. We're
not in love, youknow-no such nonsense.
He is SO much older than I that / used
to call him Noah Scene one was in
Aunt Evelyn's parlor; time, o'clock
Christmas Eve. Actors, Aunt Evelyn
asleep in one corner (and she dldnt wake
up for an hour either, Parke and your
humble servant.
''He, patti sctically, glancing at Aunt
Evelyn
"Flighty, | wonder who'll take care
of me wh,n my mother is gomez"
"Don't know, laconically.
"sDid you ever take care of any
body2"
"'No, indeed Found it hard enough
to keep myself straight
"I should hate to be bachelor
"sHuml'
Should you like to be an old maid y
"'Well mol guess not
"1f we were married insinuatingly,
I should not be bachelor nor you an
old maid
I" sOne word for me and two for your
self. AS if I'd marry an antediluvian
ike youl'
" Seriously, Fanny, like you more
than y young lady that know. And
wsnt you to promise me that when my
mother can be with me no longer, and
need wife, that You will be my wife.
,rf~lA4