Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-03
Gales aud Sketehes.
MISTAKE OF A LIFE.

Eleanor May, incredulously.
1.-The handsomest man you ever saw -
cried Olive Satterly.
She was sitting on the back doorstep,
Smelling peas, with great rose bush show
ering its pink petals down on her brown
braids of hair. and her hazel eyes sparkled
beneath their long lashes while Louisa,
the beauty of the family leaned out of the
window, her pretty tresses screwed up in
the curl-papers. and loose wrapper but
toned carelessly at the throat. with no Or
pamental accessories in the way of collar,
frills, or bows; for Louisa had been to
party the night before, and had slept late.
scOlded her mother because the coffee was
cold. and absolutely declined any inter-
ference with the household that morning.
Exactly like corsair," said Louisa.
suppressing yawn. :'Tall and dark, with
such great diamond on his little finger.
and glorious ewes; and he seemed so sur
prised to think that l recognized him
through his Disguise"
/ "What costume did he assume ?" asked
Eleanor May, who, not having received
an invitation to the fancy-dress ball at
Mrs. Pipington's, was naturally inquisi-
tive upon the subject
"a pirate" said Louisa. with black
velvet cap, you know. and scarlet sash
and cutlass. And he declared that he
would disguise himself so completely the
next time that could not possibly identi-
fly HIM, and he wagered box of kid
gloves on the question"
Il suppose he means Lizzie Hooker's
birthday-partv ?" said Olive.
''Of course" said Louisa.
Il wish could Co." said Olive, work.
ing diligently away at the peas, that drop
ped like emerald rain into the shining tin
pan.
"Well you ant" replied Louisa, short
ly. You know mamma can't afford two
fancy-dresses. and am the Oldest"
"Yes. know" said Olive, meekly.
"And Mr.. Medlicote danced only once
with you last night" added Louisa, unable
to repress her exultation. land waltzed
with me three times"
Little Olive, looking shyly up at her
sister, secretly wished that Providence had
seen fit to make her also a beauty.
81 suppose said Miss May, that he is
very rich ?"
''Oh, very,' nodded Louisa.
"And Olives thoughts Jumped at once
to the idea of how beautiful her sister
would look in the regulation orange bios
SONS and white tulle.
Il wonder if ever shall be married ?"
pondered Olive. Smelling peas faster than
ever.
'Who Is that coming round the corner
of the house," cried Louisa. with some as
perity. Zone of those everlasting ped
dlers. again9 Oh, it's only scissors
grinder!''
And very fortunate, too" said Mrs
Satterlv, a pale. overworked little wo-
man. with light hair and faded complex
ion, "for my scissors are so bad that |
can't cut with them; and there's the en-
broidery scissors, and a pair that belongs
to the mending basket, and
"Iow much do you ask pair?" de-
manded Louisa. sailing out on the garden
path, with her pretty feet thrust into Slip
shod slippers, her soiled wrapper torn
down one side.
The man, swart-browed stopping
foreigner, set his wheel upon the grass,
bowed low, with a smile that showed teeth
cleaning whitley through his thick, bushy
beard, and held up six fingers in pantomi-
mic gesture.
That's too much,n said Louisa.
HE can't understand you, Lonisa,"
said Eleanor, laughing.
Miss Satterlv shook her head. stamped
the tiny little foot, and held up six pairs
OF scissors in various stages of dilaptation.
and displayed shilling.
The scissors grinder smiled again. and
made an obeisance nearly to the ground,
and assented to the bargain with numer-
Gus mods and signs.
isn't he funny ?' said Eleanor.
'lIorrd velveteen coated fellow" said
Louisa. ITO think that he belongs to the
same humanity with my divine Algernonr'
"He looks tired and thirsty" said gem
tle-hearted Olive. I've great mind to
offer him something to drink
you'll do no such thing" said Louisa.
imperiously. I'm have no sister of mine
running to wait on scissors grinders.
Mamma, is that coffee ready vet p''
Coffee" repeated her mother with a
conscience-stricken air, 81 declare,
Louisa, forgot all about it, But I'll run
directly and set it boiling
louisa crimsoned to the very temples.
Forgot" repeated She "You are al.
WAYS forgetting! never saw any one like
you in my life. No. | won't have it now
If you can't prepare my coffee when |
want it, you shan't prepare it at all. |
should think you might have seen to it,
Olive"
II am very sorry" began Olive, apollo
getically; "for all that | think you ought
not to speak so GROSSLY to mamma"
Hold your tongue. " said Louisa. stamp
ing her foot again. Am | going to be
tutored by youp | shall speak as please
Dear me. how that scssors-g grinders buzz
zing makes my head ache !"
Finally she swept into the house like a
fair fury.
When Olive came in a few minutes af-
forwards with six pairs of scissors, all
sharpened and FURNISHED up to a high
state of briliancy, her sister was living on
, the sofa, with he- face to the wall and her
eyes resolutely closed
"Oh, dear me - thought Olive. 81 am
afraid she is in one of her sulky fits, that
last "a hours at time"
She took advantage of the circumstance
to pour out glass of milk. which she
gave to the swarthy Italian when she car
ried out the money he had so hardly
earned.
He bowed low once more, drank it
eagerly, and astonished Olive by raising
her hand to his lips, as he uttered the
"Buon giamo. signorina!" and departed.