Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-07-05

if she could help it.
Another thing helped to cool Mrs
Wards excitement considerably. He
conscience accused her of many SIM
lar offenses. Did she never say an
thing of her dear friend not strict
complimentary? Hadn't she that yer
morning told her husband that Mrs
Birdseye might be brilliant but it wa
. mere surface brilliancy: there wa
very little depth TO her mind or char
acter And, though SO good-hearted
she was such rattlehead that she wa
always saying things that she ough
not to. and made herself enemies often
times hen there wasn't the least neet
of it," and go on.
Then Mrs Ward fell to thinkin.
about her other friends. Much as sh,
loved them. there was not one tina
she did not occasionally laugh about
Not with any malicious intent, O.
course. but they all had faults and pc
culiarities which were rather matter
of entertainment when one chose te
look at them from q ridiculous point
of view. 1t had never occurred to her
that said friends were in the habit OF
serving her up in the same way, bu,
she understood it perfectly we'll now.
They all saw more or less in her open
to blame or ridicule, and of course
they made the most of it. Why not?
Mrs. Ward was some little time
undergoing these and similar reflec-
tons. She scarcely noticed when
Mr.. Birdseye's step sounded in the
hall and down the stairs, or even
when the front door shut SO heavily
behind him. ct was a common say
ing in the house that every body knew
when Mr.. Birdseye came IN or went
out. because he always shut the door
with so much force). But presently
there came light. quick tap at her
door, and then somebody, without
waiting to be hidden. entered. Mrs.
Birdseye's bright face glanced in like
a sunbeam.
You naughty child! Didn't l tell
you at the breakfast table that l had
something to show you? ! thought
you would he in the moment Robert
went out, and here have been watt
ing this half-hour! He brought me
the lOveliest little picture last night;
come and see it. But, bless me! there
are tears in your eyes! Is any thing
the matter??" Mrs. Birdseye's voice
softened, and her expression changed
to one of tender sympathy. What
has happened? Do tell me-"
Mrs. Ward smiled through her tears,
and. taking Mrs. Birdseye's hand, drew
her down to her side.
"Do you really went me to tell you
what is the matter with me? Perhaps
| ought not, but l believe l will. The
fact is. was in my closet awhile ago.
and heard what you and your husband
happened to be saying about me-"
Here Mrs. Birdseye colored. and |
looked embarrassed and confused |
enough. but l am all over it now,
lear. l don't mind it in the least.
1t was true enough what you said. 1
nave said the same thing about myself
4 hundred times"
Mrs. Birdseye was affected by her
riends candor and good nature, and
her warmly. "You are the
BEST creature alive" she said. with re-
covered animation, You know l
hink SO. And l declare, you look per-
ectly beautiful this minute-the beauty
f goodness and good sense, which l
ave not mite of. talk so much l
aust say some things am very sorry
Or afterwards. You are never so fool
sh."
II am not great talker. but my
onscience is not quite clear. / have
ften said things about my best friends
Ihich would not have wanted them
D hear"
"About me. perhaps?"
Il am afraid have"
"What. l wonder?" Mrs. Birdscye
as visibly composed. She knew she
ad her failings. to be sure, but it had
ever entered her Imagination that
er friends perceived them or COM
rented upon them to others. 1t was ,
new and very disagreeable idea.
Mrs. Ward smiled, and patted her
lends hand.
IL have learnt something this MORN
lg, Nellie. have been thinking the
latter all over. and have been per-
,ctly surprised and ashamed to find
hat practice we have of making
tile disparaging speeches about even
ur very best friends. All true enough.
cry likely, but that does not make it
ght. If we do not like to think of
nr own faults or deficiencies being
liked over and laughed about. then !:
e ought not to talk of other peoples. ,,
ust think how we amused ourselves
18th Mrs. Bradbury's airs and -four
hes. and Mr.. Bradbury's slow way of
and Mrs. Martins flat pro-
and Captain Sinsleton's =
omposity. and Mrs. SANKEY'S way of :
anaging her children! There is not =