The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-01-30

phonisba Ann mostly waits on dodgers,
sir chats my daughter), and I'm sure
always willin', though that timid and
soft hearted-but there! don't mind me
a Sayin', as a mother, perhaps more thar
/ ought respectful my own
| said / was much obliged to her and
her daughter for their kind intentions,
and wished her good night. She sighed
audibly, and held the door handle for
another minute, then, with al air OF
resignation, retired.
Morning brought breakfast and So
phonisba Ann. This young person was,
if possible, meeker and more depressed
than her parent. She carried her head
a little on one side and shifted with every
breath as if from chronic influenza,
Her complexion was pale, not to say
pasty, and her hair and eyebrows Whitley
brown, Sophonisba AIMS figure was
remarkable for depression where full
ness might be expected and a curious
bullying tendency wherever the opposite
effect was usual. Her attire was chiefly
notable for hooks and eres-with n diff
ference of opinion that materially him
dered friendship, and refractory hair
pins, which | found had a way of drop
ping out into all sorts of odd places.
| found one, one day, 1t the bottom Of
my Jug of porter, at dinner.
This interesting young person con
trived to make a surprising clatter with
the breakfast ware, upset a chair and
threw down q pile Of my books before
making her exit. | attributed this to
the timiditv which her mother had as
sured me was countprbalanced by so
many virtues, and could not in reason,
complain; but when, IN removing the
breakfast things, the same pile of books
underwent precisely the same fate, and
gave me such "A start that | nearly cut
off a finger in mending a pen, / could
not help saving, rather brusquely, For
heavens sake, my good girl, be
careful what You do next, which pro
duced quite an attack of smiling and a
hasty retreat on the part of the unlucky
maiden.
A little later in the day, my landlady
knocked timidly at my door.
Come in" said /.
She came in folding ner hands and
looking up at the ceiling.
I'm sure, sir, you'll excuse it, though
a liberty, but as I'm a mother, which it's
nothing after all, and I've no call to
worrit, I'm certain, but it's nay daught-
er, sir, q takin' on so after you spoke to
her this mornin,' and if you'd bes very
kind, seem as Sophonisba Ann Is so
tender hearted"
What is it about?" / said, as the
fearful lady paused to take breath. II
don't understand.
ooh! and I'm sure you didn't mean
for to hurt her feelin's sir, and she owns
it she's said as much in that kitchen
down below to me. His way seemed
harsh,' she says, but his hearts in the
right place. she saws; I'm certain sure
of it, she says, and she's been a cryin'
her eyes out, which Sophonisba Ann is
rather '~sterical at times, sir. / tell her
I'm sure you don't mean nothing, and
likely it won't so occur again."
Bless me?" said !, "this is very fool
ish; of course 1 didn't mean to hurt
your daughters feelings, mann; pray
tell her so; I'll remember to speak less
abruptly since you've named it,"
"Ohi sir, you're the most feelin' gent
ever / did know, I'm sure, / don't
know whatever my guy1f say-and the
last gent we had so different-so wio-
lent in lIs language; not to speak of
banging the door. o dear! what 1T is
to have a sperrit, which is what me and
mine aeTer had, and so the wt.rld tram
pies on us, said Mrs. Maudle.
81 hope not" said L. you should
take a more cheerful view of life, Mrs.
Maudle."
/ was very Lusy, and wished she
would go, but she didn't.
well, sir" she observed with a sigh,
81 always was one of the downhearted
ones; and Maudle's nerves that low! /
never shall forget when he asted me to
have him--that's seven-and- twenty-year
ago-'Mariar, I he says to me Chats my
name)-"but there, sir, don't mind me,
which as a wife / hope / have a wife's
feelin's;" and Mrs. Maudle shed tears.
did mind her very much, and de-
vontly wished her at the North Pole, as
she stood in the doorway wiping her
eyes with her apron, and evidently
awaiting my sympathy.
"Tm sure Mr.. Maudle's choice does
him credit" / said desperately, "he
couldn't do better than take a good wife
to sooth the path of life for him; wasn't
that your door-bell?"
aSophonisba Ann will answer the door
sir, which / think you was mistaken,
and it didn't ring" said Mrs Maudle.
1T am surc I never did meet with a gen
tleman so thoughtful and ~feelin'; a real
friend, as one may say, already, and I'm
only thankful-"
SIN afraid I must trouble you to
shut that door, Mrs. Maadle," / gasped.
@Tm subject to ear-ache, and the