The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-29

isent, and rattle of, Whats this dull
 town to mel"
 There were the two Miss Newlands, a
 very different pair of sisters, who lived in
 quaint old house in West street, full of china and treasured kings of their long
 past girihoed. Quaint small women themselves, neat and quick, and devoted
 to each other, the sole remaining mem-
 bers of their once large family. Why
 Mey had remained single none could tell
 The elder one was beautiful still, and
 Miss Althea was not without good looks
 even now, faded as their bloom necessa-
 rily was and each wore for brooch an
 exquisite miniature of a gentleman, young
 and handsome, with powdered hair, con-
 ceIning which had often speculated at
 odd times. They were like nice, dear
 pussies, these two old ladies, as they hur- .ied about on .heir eyrands of mercy clad
 in long gray fur cloaks and boas. l had
 an interest and liking tor them, which I
 never could feel for the Miss Parringdons, or forgive Miss Jessie for her voice hay ing gone
 Miss Whylie and Miss Mathers lived in the same street, but in much hand somer house. They were wealthy and
 kind, and inclined to be aristocratic.
 Miss Wbylie was immensely stout, and a very good artist. She could be seen painting and painting at her easel most
 mornings from the street below and they gave swell dinner parties, and were other- wise pretentious.
 Three or four spinsters shared our own particular street, in which St. Patrick's reCtory stood one of whom, a Miss Spencer, lived wholly and solely for her cats. She gave up room and passage in her small house entirely for their bepe- fit; where they walked, ate, slept, and played as in veritable cats paradise. But never were they allowed to mix with the vulg IT herd outside! No; these ani- mais were prisoners, every one of them. have often seen one or two of them at time gazing out of the high window upon the world beneath, with a sort of feline wlsttulness and appeal, that might have moved their mistress heart had she watched them as did but don't be- Iieve she ever went out herself either, so never had the chance.
 Bad boys used to aim pebbles at their soft-whiskered faces, but used to kiss my hand to the poor things when nobody was looking. Strange, miserable life for their owner, lavishing on animals nor the noblest of the brute creation the love and care that should have been centered on immortal souls
 Then there were three dreadful old sisters who used to inhabit Saltford, of whom l was told more than one utterly incredible tale. Their rightful name was Green but so frightful and awful were they in their grabbed loneliness and gor- gon. like aspect, that they were univers- ally nicknamed Plague, Pestilence, and anime" The two eldest had died when first came to the dear old town, and only Famine was left. She was the worst of the three, should imagine; as. really rich woman, she starved herself to death finally through her miserly hab- its. Famine was terrible picture of an old maid living to hoard only, starved body and starved soul.
 What relief to turn from her to dear Miss Johnstone at the bottom of our street; a sweet, bright christian, feeble and helpless as she was-intellectual and gifted, but best known and beloved by her minister, her servants and the poor, to which last she gave daily what would have supported fifty Miss Famine's for week.
 Lastly, though have not told you of all, oh, dear, no, not nearly, and have not space for them in these brief chronicles, or time either. there came the three Miss Southams, who lived in the East PAllant, not far from my enemies, the Miss Par ringdons.
 Miss Susan, the eldest, was a quiet. mild invalid, more often ill than we'll, great deal. Harriet, the next in age, was lnseparaole from her sister, quite devoted to her hand and foot; but, it must be con- fessed, to nobody else. must say, too, never liked her, with her pompous toss of the head. bobbing curls and paroniz- ing air. She was generally called Miss Harty, for short ; and a good woman after Ter kind, perhaps but-her jackets and bonnets always made me feel uncharita- ole, aud do to this day.
 Last of the three was Miss Mary, alias Polly las everybody without exception chose to style her)-" Polly" seemed to suit her face so much better somehow than Mary.
 A little active person of for,y-6ve or htty, with ringlets that danced and shook at every word she spoke bright, kindly smile ready for every one she met, and gushing, impulsive ways. She was good, know, but the sort of woman who is | constantly held up to ridicule in one fashion or another. Poor, dear Miss Pollyl She was so truly humble and anxious to do good so warm-hearted and | ready to help, always got on with her, and in my girlish, conceited manner used 10 Patronize her dreadtully, I'm certain.
 In general way, there is nothing, think, so disgusting to myself as the be- ing patronized "by anybody. don't care it it were the queen. But even you couldn't have helped doing it to Miss Polly. She expected it and liked it, Pm sure, just as child does, or some chil- dren, for know l hated it as a child. At any rate she did not mind it at all. specially as she was really fond of me and of her.
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