The Osceola times., 1886-10-23

~ffJ' hhc atuioap pntTe suited nln eN-
actly. He could live with real BOYS. and
al the same time receive the ministra-
tons which he had long been used to
from girls.
And what of these girls, his sisters,
all these monthsp Oh, they thought OF
him often. The pretty keepsakes. the
afiectionnte letters, passing from the old
farmhouse to the city, amply proved
that. But Edward took these testimo-
mails of his sisters regard Just as he had
taken all previous ones, as a mere mat
Ter OF course. One evening a letter
came from Lucy, which was destined
TO make sensation. Ii appeared that
she was going to be married, and for
love. She had imbibed some beautiful.
and, TO her, new ideas. and had begun
to realize the true dignity of the human
soul And kindly, sweetly, tenderly,
she endeavored to help her brother
toward something of similar realiza-
ton. 1t was just such letter. from q
good woman, as any honorable man
ought to prize more than casket Of
rare jewels.
Now, what do you suppose Edward
did with that letterP Why he called
his three chums around the table, and
when they were seated, proceeded de-
lberately to read il aloud to them. Not
appreciatively, not reverently not hum
bly,, as though he were scarce worthy
of such disinterested atlection-not gen
erously, as though his companions, like
himself, were boys who were away from
their sisters, and needed all the help
that a good woman could give
them. Far from il. He read that
sacred letter as though he we've
reciting some ridiculous trayesty--
read it as a good joke-and
wound up with a laugh bosterously
loud, and the remark.
ISIS is getting sentimental; she must
have been reading novels. Wonder if
she forgot to wash the dishesm
Edward looked at Walter and VIII and
saw upon their faces what he had ex-
pected, smiles of approval. OF course,
they would agree with their superior
friend. But nothing short of the super
natural could have prepared him for
Percy's aspect. 1t was terrible to behold.
The boy had sprung to his feet, and
now, drawn to his full height, stood
Edward, like an ayeng-
ing fate. His white hair, with
his abnormally red face. involv-
suggested TO all. beacon light
giving warning of danger ahead. One
second only did he glare at Edward
just long enough to inspire within him
and his two parasites feeling of won
derful awe. Then he exclaimed, his in
tense earnestness killing his customary
drawl.
You're a cad, sir! If you had said
about my sister what you have Just said
about your own, I'd knock you ilat.'
Percy's three auditors could only stare
at him as though dazed. This they did
until Percy himself felt a reaction and
sank into the nearest chair.
"You all think I'm a fool, don'i
you?" he queried, iiercely, as soon as
he could ind voice. perhaps | am.
But, fool or no fool. I'd know how to
value a si2,er if | had one. You did
not know thac when my twin sister
Nellie and | had scarlet fever she was
taken and | was left as | am? Do you
think l can ever forget her? Do you
suppose | have never prayed that |
may meet her again? The one thought
Of my life is of her little grave in the
The latter part of Percy's speech was
addressed more to himself than the
others, and at its conclusion he dropped
MS head upon the table and burst into
Iears.
But they were not tears of weakness.
Every one of the three beholders knew
and felt this; within every one was kim
He'd a feeling of involuntary respect.
What they were pleased to call his
was really his good
ness, in which he was their superior.
rrue, any one of the three could have
clicked him, for il was very apparent
hat Percy was not strong bodily, but
where they had failed he had bravely
'hown himself the champion of the
weak. Yes, Percy was the best man,
he only gentleman of them sill. Every
)ne of the three knew il, and in his own
heart acknowledged that bo had been
ried aud found wanting.
And now, did Edward feel
ike cat in strange garret ?
He did. and so did Walter and VIII.
Three cats in strange garres, then. In
his case, the strange garret was Percy 5
moral atmosphere-for do believe that
,very soul exerts an inlluauce which
may be perceived outSide of it, Just as
.he earth is wrapped in an airy robe,
which can be felt, even when it can not
be seen. Had three cats tried to fly up
nto the domain of the birds, they could
hardly have been more out of place
Than were these three boys in the cle-
gated region of Percy's best thoughts
and feelings.
But this one cat in particular, Ed
ward, had the good sense to feel that he
was in a strange garret, so too, had the
other cats, Walter and VIII. in n less
degree. They would have rectified their
mistake, if they could, and, thanks to
Percy's suggestion, they found a good
way.
''Sit down now" he said. "and write
nee lcllcTN w YOUR 0lsteio, huuihS plt-
terly, "this is pleasure denied to me,
Ior have no ster
They did write letters to their sisters
Edward, Walter and VIII. Edward
really did catch inspiration from Lucys
letter, wrote her just such an answer Il.
it deservedA Anever forgot it as long a
he lived Walter and VIII apologized
for neglecting their sister so long, and
did the best they could to get up re-
spectacle missives probably they never
forgot either But, after Edward had
finisheo his letter to Lucy, he still felt a
little dissatisfied; he began TO realize, as
he never did before the true worth of a
good girl, and, parity with the idea oi
working # his dissatisfaction, partly
with that of giving expression to his