Connecticut western news., 1885-07-01
The Family Black Sheep.

"And you, Freda," says my pater- nal ancestor. sternly gazing down from his superior height upon my petty five feat two, ''are to behave sensibly. if possible, and consider yourself engag- ed to MT. Comyn."
 I feel myself sink-fguratively speaking away down to the lowest depth of despair as papa goes on re- flectively: Really, fine offer for youl You have always been the black sheep of the family, Freda, and certainly do not deserve such good fortune as to marry man worth cool million, who is quite devoted to you. So take the good the gods provide and make no demur."
 "A sacrifice to appease the wrath of the gods," I quote, demuredly. But my heart is mutinous and rebellious to the last degree
 Sister Rita and I attended an arch cry party at Mrs. Somers' lovely coun- try home, and MT. Comyn, chancing to be present, had fallen desperately in love with mo. At least such is his astonishing announcement in his letter to my father, which has just been re- ceived.
 'Now, remember, Freda, no tricks It is my desire-my command-that you accept MT. Comynl'
 "Oh, papa, don't make me say, Yes nowl Do give me few days of grace! Even the condemned criminal going to the scaffold is allowed time for prepa- radon"
 Papa frowns severely.
 "Fredal" His voice is very stern and tremble in my boots. "You un- grateful childl Do you realize that it is all I can do to keep up the family ?''
 feel small-awfully small-in com parison with that last adjective. Yet, what connection my possible marriage has with the payment of our bills. I fail to see-unless papa is referring to the expense of my keeping.
 "Oh. papa" cry piteously Cred says when turn on the "water works there is no resisting mel, do let me support myself; can teach-I know l cani have never considered marri- age. I am young. Rita is the oldest; why can't he content himself with RitaY'
 Yes, why can't hep She is decided ly the prettiest-though, truth to tell, we look wonderfully alike. We are respectively IF and 19, and look even younger Papa is frowning prodigi, ously. see there is no use in remon- strance-his mind is made up. A millionaire in the familyp Papa puts an end to the controversy at last by quietly leaving the room. I sink down upon the broad window seat and pre- pare for good cry, when some one pulls my hair emphatically. stifle c yell and spring to my feet. Only Fred An.inspiration seizes mel
 "Oh, Fred" wall. piteously, "can't you help mep You have influence with papa-do beg him to give up this horrible marriage!"
 He is only 15 and the pet of the fam fly.
 "Freda, don't be goose," he ejacu lates at last. "Wish had chance to marry girl as rich as MT. Comyn I'd perpetrate matrimony if she was as ugly as original sin, and my pet aversion"
 "EU tu Brutep' I pout, indignant } Fred laughs.
 Precisely. And, Freda, what dt you thinkp Rita is mad-oh, as ; March hare, because MT. Comyn dlt not propose to her. Funny, isn't it that he didn't fall in love with herP'
 q wish he had," cry; with m. whole heart wish that he hadl Bu there's no such good luck for mo, Fred.
 And I march away in high dudgeon and, tying on my big sun hat, fly dow to the beach. my usual place of ref uge. Here my little boat ia mcored