The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-05-05
the BRIGHT CHORDS.

want comfort, plain. solid comfort.
But as for all this modern fixin' up,
want none OF it. II mans home has
got to be kept in stew and stir.try-
in to keep up with lot oil fashions
whims SO that he never has any peace
in life. what's the use in Twin? No. in.
deed no fashion for me-"
This strict notion OF Mr.. Browns
had governed the domestic life OF his
home from it's very foundation. And
though he had almost waded through
FIRE Ia order to maintain IL against
the more ambitious wills OF his wife
and daughters, maintain it he did
through all his matrimonial years up
to the present time.
But, judging from the commotion
going on in the home. one would have
thought that the household was being
completely revolutionized on entirely
new principles. The alterations and
refurnishing that the house mad un.
dercone were such as to startle the
whole neighborhood. Stylish touch
es. too. had been added to the dress.
ing OF Mrs. Brown and her daughters,
and even Mr.. Brown. whose clothes
were OF the plainest country style, had
been persuaded to purchase new
suit. and had promised to wear a
white shirt and black tie on that aus
plcious occasion.
And what was that occasion? Was
the Governor expected, or, a much
more desired event than the Govern
or's visit. a marriage OF one OF the
daughtersg
Neither. IL was simply this. Jack
Brown. the eldest son, the hope and
pride OF the family, was expected home
in company with This girl" TO spend
day.
Years before. Jack, n bright, adj
venturesome. energetic boy. had left
the old farm and sought his fortune
in the large city, but few hours
drive from his home. He had COM
mencel rs Office boy for a wealthy
and talented lawyer. Had finally
adopted the same profession, and aft.
er years OF hard work and study, had
risen from his humble position to
that OF partner with the same lawyer.
And as happy elimination TO his ef-
forts, he had won the heart and hand
of his partners beautiful daughter.
To say that Jacks family was
proud oil his achievements would
but family express their feelings
on the subject. They regarded
him as living embodiment
OF all wisdom and perfection,
and never tired OF talking OF thegreat-
ness OF his future, for they expected
him TO ill no less u position than that
OF the Presidency itself.
Jack wrote to his mother OF his en-
gagement, yet none OF the family had
seen his betrothed. In the magma
tive fancy OF his mother and sisters,
she was n person OF the most august
style. the winning OF whose eeteem de-
pended solely on the amount OF dis
play one could make. They had spec.
ulated much a. to her disposition her
personal appearance and every plan
was laid to curry the favor OF this
prospective arissocratic connection.
The household was thrown into the
most intense excitement by receiving n
letter nom Jack, saying that rs Miss
Layton, his ailianced, wished to be.
come ACQUAINTED with his family, they
had decided TO drive out to the old
home on certain day. His letter
ended by saying; "And now Mother,
you will have everything appear az
we'll as possible. won't you? You
know Mr.. Layton's family live in ele-
CANT style. and do not want my fu-
ture wife Tn 9ea ton grant a. contrast
between my old home and hers"
This letter threw the female mem
bers OF the Brown family into the
greatest commotion. Every spark OF
their pride was kindled into burning
lame, and the one point that Mr..
Brown had fought so valiantly to
maintain in his household, had now
TO succumb to the determined Wills OF
his wife and daughters. Had the re-
suit OF the impression they were to
make meant life or death for the en-
tire family they could not have ar
ranged with greater persistency. Jack
was to them the hero OF the country.
and his marriage into a wealthy.
prominent family was such an addi-
tional qualification to their prid. that
no effort was considered too great for
winning the favor OF his wife.
But amidst all their preparation
and anticipation there was one heavy
little heart in the home. IL was that
of Tommie, the little ten.year old son.
Nature sometimes seems strangely un~
fair in the distribution OF her gifts.
On some she bestows the attractions
OF beauty and genius; but she
had endowed Tommie with no such