New-York tribune., 1886-02-21

have thought the story the less trne to the LIE
around for having slight strain OF poetry IN ~
We hate to find fault with Mr.. Howells, because
we like him so much. And now it IS ii relief to dis
miss hs pervcrsites and turn to the one delightful
figure of "Indian SUMMER the little girl, Ellie
Bow en-. This fascinating creature, mixture OF
childish simplicity and childish propriety, always
comes into the story like lash of sunshine. Here
is scene at the dinuer-tablc. which occurs after
affairs in the Bowen household have become pretty
serious:
isn't mamma coming az all 2 she asked
plaintively when lmogene sat down, and refused
everything but cup of coffee. "WelI, she went
on, al can't make ont what is coming to th!s
family. You were all crying last night because MI
COlyiile was going away, and now, when he going
to stay, it's just as bad don't think you MAKE II
very pleasant for him. | should think he would be
perfectly puzzled bv il. after he's done 80 much
to please you alb don't believe he thinks II very
polite suppose it Is polite but 1t d0esn seem 80;
And he's always cheerful and nice. sh0nld
think he would Want to visit in some family where
there more amusement. There used, 10 pc
plenty in this family, but now it's as dismal! ne
first of the winter YOU and mamma used 70 p pe 50
pleasant when he came, and wonld try every ything
to amuse him, and wouid let me come 10 10 get !,
some of The good of it ; but now yon seem To llv
every way as he comes in sight OF the mousse
and Tn poked Oft in holes and corners before ne can
open his lips And I've borne it about as long as
can. | would rather be back in Nevay. Or any
where" At this point her own patho' 0VerWhelhied
her and the tears rolling down her cheeks moist
ened the crumbs u pastry III tilc 'o ilOio noi
pretty mouth " " hat was 50 strange. shOuIn IKE
to know about his staying, that mamma should
pop up like ghost, when told her he had come
home with us and grab me by the wrist, and
twItch me about, and ask me all sorts of questions
couldn't answer, and frighten me almost 10 dcath
| haven't got over it yet. And don think ltS
very nice 1t used to be a very polite family ana
pleasant with each other and always having some
thing agreeable going OF in it but II 1t Keel on
very much longer i'll this way, shall think the
B0wens are beginning to lose their good breeding
| suppose that if Mr.. Covle were to 90 down on his
knees to mamma and ask her to let him take me
somewhere nov, she wouldn't do it, Sic pulled
her handkerchief ont of her pocket and dried her
ewes on a ball of it. 4" don't see what you've been
crying about, Imogene You've got nothing to
worry YOU -,
aim not very well, Eiiie,' returned the girl
gently Z" haven't been well all day"
" 1t seems to me that nobody is well any more. /
don't believe Florence is very healthy place Or
at least this house isn't. | think II must be the
drainage. If keep on, | suppose we shall all
have diphtheria. Don't yon. lmogenef z
ayes asserted the girl distractedly.
This is charming picture; and in letting Ehies
childish emotions gradually get the better Of her
precocous gentilty rs she develops her grievances
Mr. Howes shows the true artists hand.