The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-05-17

burden efshAs thirty .ysats, spd 90 strong
was their tyranny in the home, that they
were really the arbiters Of bis actions, and
however disagreeable o.. 7yaareesonable
were their yiehes, be vas made 10 submit,
implicitly TO them.
When the, contents Of Jacks letter
ANNOUNCING his iatended visit, was :m
parted 10 the family, Tomie's JOY
was unbounded. He commenced q series
OF boyish antics, accompanied by the mos,
extravagant exclamations Of delight.
"Oh, you needn't be feeling 50 glad, =
said his sister Camilla, for you're not to
make your appearance that day. II
jacks girl should see you that would set
tie the question of her marrying into this
family. You would be sure to disgrace
Us ALL"
Eyes, indeed, you would," joined his
sister Cstharine. Cammy is right.
You're Just to make yourself scarce that
day. l have no doubt but Jacks whole
prospects would be ruined and we all dis
graced. if you should be allowed to be
seen. Now you see what you get by be-
ing such bad boy"
And 90 it was settled that on this happy
occasiou TurnInie WAC 10 be r~@laded from
the circle, leaving his sisters to make
whatever excuses they pleased to Jack for
his absence 1t was this disappointment
that filed Tommie's heart with gloom
during those days of preparation.
1t is dreadful mean to treat a fellow
So" said Tommie to himself, as he sat
whiting at the end of the house, at the
time when Jack was expected. 81 JUS
hates Cam. and Cath. I JUS hate 'em.
An won't pay 'em back if ever get to
be man %
AT that instant the sound of wheels
were heard, and peering cautiously
around the corner of the house he saw
handsome carriage stop, and Jack and the
young lady alight. He soon heard the
pleasant greetings going on in the house,
and his sisters gay talk and merry laugh
ter. Soon he heard Jack say: "Where is
Tommie?'
90, he's off somewhere" said Camilla.
You know Tommie is very bashful
about seeing strangers"
Every few minutes he could hear some
one come to the window near him. He
knew it was one of his sisters keeping
watch to see if he was st ill in his hiding
place. 1t was a secluded little nook at
one end of the house, where an old rustic
seat was kept. 1t was tavorite spot
with Tommie. and his sisters, thinking
he would be more coptented there than
elsewhere, had assigned it as the place for
him to stay until his dinner was eaten.
After which he was TO enjoy long half
holiday at fishing.
1t was not long before the rattling Of
dishes told him dinner was in preparation
And such dinner, too! And to think
that he must stay there while the others
enjoyed it! This was almost more than
Tommie could bear He nursed his
wrath and vowed vengeance on every
member of his family, Jacks girl includ-
ed, when he became man.
After long time, as it seemed to him,
his mother came out and brought his
dinner on plate.
"Now Tommie," she said" when you
eat this you can go fishing With Jimi,.io
Blake. You'd better not come into the
house at all, for you know what an awful
fuss the girls will make if you do.''
"I don't want'er come in," said Tom
mie. II hate everybody too bad to come
inn
"There now, Tommie," said his moth
er, that's just the reason that nobody
likes you because you talk so bad. Pm
sure don't know what bad end you'll
come to-" So saying she returned to the
house.
When dinner was completed, an old
neighbor, knowing that Jack was at home,
came in TO consult him on some legal
questions. Mrs. Brown and her daueh-
ters were engaged in performing the after
dinner work in the kitchen.
Miss Layton, being left alone, felt
strong desire to get ont and enjoy the
pleasant country surroundings; so slip
ping quietly out OF the front door she
was soon strolling amidst the flowers in
the large yard. A tall, climbing rose
bush, which stood at one end of the
house, attracted her attention, and fol-
lowing a path in that direction, she soon
came to the trellis that supported the
beautiful vine, and also came suddenly
on Tommie, who was eating his dinner.
The surprise was equally great to both,
although the impression produced on the
mind of each was 20 different.
Tommie forgot his anger as he sat star
ing at the pretty lady before him, for he
thought he had never before seen 80
beautiful a sight. Miss Layton was
equally as much fascinated, but it was
the odd, ridiculous appearance of the
child, as he sat with his plate on his lap
that 40 attracted her. But her friendly,
sympathetic nature soon assel ted itself,
and she kindly said:
"How do you do, little boy ?"
"Hullo - was Tommie's reply.
The young lady continued to eye the
boy curiously. She thought she had
never seen SO odd looking . specimen of
humanity, and her pity and curiosit
were alike excited in regard to him.
Thinking him a little vagrant the family
had given dinner, she asked s" Where do
you live p
81 live here" Tommie answered.
She then thought he must be some poor
child employed on the place, so she asked
again: Have you any parents ?"
Reckin have. Pm Tommie Brown"
said the boy.
"Then you are Jacks brother" she ex-
claimed in great surprise.
"Yes, be-" he replied.
"Well / am glad to meet you" said
Miss Layton. "Jack told me he had q
little brother. But why didn't you come
in and see US and eat dinner with us ?"
H. t>A