Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-10-14
The DrOne of the Family,

me. The other girls have all managed
to do pretty we'll by themselves Ara
minta went TO Madama D'Arbley for
six months, and now she's opened a
dressmsking for herself, and she's do
ing finely. Rachel is teaching district
school, and Eliza is type setter
They're all three of em smart stirring
girls, and I've no word of fault to
find with them. But Lottlel / really
don't believe that girl has a genius for
anything
The mild old rector of the parish
looked sympathisingly at Lottie her
self, who, with downcast head and
burning cheeks, was polishing the in
side of the windows as they talked.
'IndeedY said he. That's unfor-
tunate.'
4 tried her at millinery, said Mr..
Orcutt consoling himself with pinch
of snuff. and they said she spoiled
more ribbons than her work would pay
for. l sent her to the gold beating
factoly, but she was no use there. |
took her to see the school ol-trustees,
but they said she wasn't the stuff that
successful teachers were made Of
And l don't know but what they're
right, said Mr.. Orcutt with sigh.
If Lottie had only been boy, now,
she might have took the farm, or
learned blacksmith trade, Or
Father, said Lottie in low voice,
Il should like to be an artist.
Mr. Orcutt stared a: his daughter.
'Eh!' said he. Wouldn't you like
to be queen, and sit on the throne1
An artist indeedl Go straight and
feed the young ducks and goslings,
Lottie, and don't let me hear no more
such nonsense. An artist! Well, I
do wonder what our girls are coming
1ol'
"A good many young women have
distinguished themselves in that way
am told, said mild Mr.. Audubon.
MY girls are working girls, said
Mr.. Orcutt bluntly. But an artist or
an author, they are made of different
clay. I've been left with four mother
less daughters, and I've done pretty
well with all of them except Lottie;
but Lottie is puzzle to me.
A month later, when Mr.. Orcutt
brought home his new wife, hard
eyed, red-cheeKed young woman, with
black curls hanging down on one side
of her face, Lottie went away.
you'd deal better stay and help
your mother with the housework.
said Mr.. Orcutt; I'D be willing to al
low you your board and clothes, to
make yourself generally useful
She is not my mother, said Lottie
in a stifed voice; and Mrs. Mount
says l may help in her shop until l
get place somewhere else to suit me-
So Lottie, the standing puzzle of
her fathers life, became the shop-girl
in Mrs Mounts fancy shop and
studied up the mysteries of tape, rib
bon, worsted, needles and pin-cush-
ions.
But one day Mrs. Mount came to
the Orcutt farmhouse in a towering
rage.
my best customer said she, Mrs.
General Fitzgibbon! All through
Lottie's fault! And she VOWS she'll
never set foot in the shop again!'
It was some time before she could
become sufficiently coherent to ex
plain the particulars of her accusation
to Mr.. Orcutt and his wife. But it
transpired at last that Lottie had been
audacious enough to sketch carica-
ture of the august Mrs. General St.
George Fitzgibbon on the back of a
pasteboard collar. box, and that lady
had unluckily caught sight of it IN an
evil hour.
WAS it like her, said Mrs. Orcutt.
Like her, said Mrs. Mount; why,
it was the old hag herself, false hair,
French bonnet, and all. | never did
see anything so ridiculous. But that
don't mend matters. I've locked her
up In the back parlor, and I've told
her I'd send you there right off, Mr.
Orcutt. For, of course, nobody can
expect me to keep her there after this!'
Mr.. Orcutt looked feebly az his
wife.
what am to do, MalvinaT said
he.
why, go, of course, said the step.
mother, bristling up In anticipation Of
the coming contest. Bring her home
at once. I'll teach her what it is tc
offend lady like Mrs General Fitz-
gibbon.'
But you forget, Malvina-'
4 don't forget anything, sharply
responded Mrs. Orcutt.
That she isn't child to be whipped
or to be shut up in dark closet. She
is eighteen.
'Old enough to know better, said
Mrs. Orcutt, COMPRISING her thin
red lips. There are other ways Of
dealing with refractory girls, Eben
than those you have named
Mr.. Orcutt looked admirlngly at his
wife, who had been matron of an
orphan asylum before he had married
her, and then he went out to hitch up
the horse to bring Lottle home.
pvrt Vxvha 81 e.,