The Cecil Whig., 1885-11-28
LIFE In A RAG CARPET
EY TLIZABETH f. HOLDING.

"Why, Grace, how pretty your room
looks" said Mrs Vance, as she paused in
the door Of her daughters rooT.
50, Mother how can You say that
with this hurrid rag carpet on the fl 'or?''
answered her daughter. Lou Jennings
has the prettiest new carpet for her room,
with lovely pink roses scattered all over
it. They look just like real roses. 1t
seemed almost pity to step on them"
Mrs. Vance smile! as she looked at the
flushed cheeks of hcr beauty loving
daughter.
"There is great difference, ,you know,
dear, between Your circumstances and
your cousin Louis think this is very
pretty carpet Those red stripes make
it ga 'te bright
"N-hy, Mother! Those red stripes are
my tsp ci !. objection. They stare at
me S."
Cry to be patient with them while
longer, any way, dear. | give my little
daug ghter credit for ways keeping her
room fresh aud neat, even if she does dis
like the carpet
Mrs. Vance turned away, and Grace,
Dire wing the little low rocker up near the
bright stove, took up her fancy work;
and visions of 'pink rooms and ''blue
rooms of her more favored friends fit
ted through her mind.
DID she dream it. or did she hear a
low, soft voice?
81 never in my life heard of n!thing
like it Why, If had not been held
down by the carpet chain, | am sure
shoald have risen right up. She objects
TO US red stripes ! am sure | don't know
what the carpet would do without US. :"
"Gh !ou must not feel hurt with
Grace said a Blown Stripe near by. Il
an sure she did not mean to hurt your
feelings. | dare say we don't any of us
compare very favorably with pink roses.
You are too red. | can see that myself"
ITO think should have cone to this !.
|, who was once SO beautiful ~ continued
the Red Stripe. without taking any no.
tice of its neighbor.
Give US little of your experience, "
said some Black Filling near by. 81
think that would be nice way to spend
the afternoon. 1t is stupid, indeed, be-
ing cooped up here in a bedroom, where
one never secs any company except few
chattering schoolgirls once in while"
ooh do, Red Stripe" said a chorus
of voices.
Speak little louder, too,' said Blue
Stripe over by the wall. "Of course we
would all draw near, If we could"
Gas you insist said the Red Stripe,
I'LL do my best. was not always red.
Once was pink. The prettiest, softest
piece o: Ein.< merino. l had reason to
be very proud of myself. After l had
lain long time on a shelf in store, done
up i'll a wrapping, because my color was
SO delicate was finally taken down. one
day, and, when the paper was taken off,
l found myself face to face with an old
gentleman and a little girl.
$50, Grandpa - cried Grace, for that
was the little girls name, isn't that
lovely? That is just what | want
''IIer Grandpa laughed, and, pnchng
her cheeks, said: 1t just matches the
roses here, so | guess we will have to
take it.. You SEE, Brown Stripe. there
pare favorably with pink roses, however
unlike them may be now. Well, l was
bought and sent to a drcssmaker; and
when she was through with me everyone
said | was beauty. l was just crazy to
see myself; but never had a very G ood
opportunity because Miss Grace danced
around so. The night l was brought
home Miss Grace was put into me, and
we went iluttering down stairs. She
danced into the room where her Grandpa
was sitting, IL such a wild fashion that
my rut1l,s all stood out straight. He
caught her in his arms aud hugged her
so Il tiIut that | was sure he would mas.
me. Away We went, ther -Irandpa,
Miss Grace and / to party. Dear me,
wish could tell you about it 1t was
Just like Fairylamd, with the mnsic and
tlpwcrs an'i all the beautiful children. |
was not quiet single moment all even
ing. Miss Grace seemed to be in a con-
slant whirl. That was my only party;
and | love to think of it. don't sup.
pose any of the rest of you were ever at
party at all
81 have been-lots of en- said the
Brown Stripe, with giggle.
"You? >" cried the Red Stripe, rising
up as far as possible.
Go on with your story" said the
Black Filling. Brown Stripe can tell
hers after you are through
CAS- | said, that was my last party.
came out once after that to dinner
where Grace and her Grandpa and sew
eral gentlemen dined together. But my.
1t was not half so nice as the party.
After that | was packed away in a trunk,
where. suppose, | stayed years and
years. know once | took long jour
ney, and there must have been great
changes; for the next time | saw the
light, Miss Grace was a grown woman,
and had little girl of her own. knew
Miss Grace as soon as heard her speak;
but the roses Were gone from her cheeks,
and she seemed quite old to me, and /
think she must have been much poorer;
for she held me up and said: Here is my
old pink merino, Oracle. I'll have to see