The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-08-17


dress. l would willingly have had my
hair cut short off all the way round, like
a boys, to have had it back again, and
I'm sure | couldn't say more than that.
Glad as / always am to hear Psalter's
step upon the sidewalk, almost dreaded
to hear it that night, for should have to
tell him all about it; and though knew
he wouldn't scold, yet, dear me! 1 did
feel so ashamed of my stupidity.
The first thing Fanny did when she
heard father getting his latch-key into the
key hole was to run, with her vase in her
hand, down to the entry to show her bar
gain to him, and, tripping over the rug,
down she came just as he opened the
door, smashing the china and cutting her
poor little lip terribly. There was an end
of the vase, and her lamentations over
her broken toy and cut lip were deafen-
ing, and while trying to soothe her 1 for
got all about the peddler and vest both
for a little time. Peace was restored,
and 1 was just filling the teapot, when
Brother John arrived, looking exceed
ingly complacent, and carrying a parcel
under his arm, which he laid upon the
sofa.
"What is in that paper, Uncle John9"
said Fanny, inquisitive as usual, trying to
unite the cord which fastened the pack
age.
"That is my new vest, FAM" said
John, untying the string himself.
At the word ''vest," my heart sank
like lump of lead.
"Oh, dear!" thought, ''the time is
coming. must tell now, very soon."
sit is just Ike yours, Psalter," said
John. ''You know how admired that.
Well, by a rare piece of good fortune, an
old fellow offered me just such a one this
morning, and bought it. 1 don't be-
lieve you could tell the two apart"
And he held up vest so like Psalter's
that it seemed absolutely the same.
1.-THE old fellow had a lovely shawl,
which he said was wonderful bargain
only So! 1t is just the color of the one
you were so partial to, that was stained or
spotted, or something, so thought I'd
bring it up to you"
He held it toward me; but when I took
it in my hand, good gracious! it was
no, it couldn't be-yes, it absolutely was
the very shawl had given to the old
peddler man for Fanny's vase. The spots
were taken out and it had been brushed
and ironed, but it was the very same.
John did not notice my agitation, but
went on:
81 think my vest came to less than
yours did, Psalter. Let me see. 1 gave
him so note, and he gave me this in
change. hope it is good"
And John drew from his pocket note
marked with red ink on the back.
"Why, Uncle john" cried Rosa, the
moment her eyes fell upon the bill,
"where did you find my money!"
"Your money, child?" cried John, as
toaished. "Your money!"
eyes, uncle-my bad money that pa
gave me to play with. Don't you see the
red letters on the Observation-Disclosures pa put
there!'
John turned the note over on the other
side.
"The child is right" he said. "What
does all this mean?"
While he was looking at the note with
all his might l reached over and picked
up the vest, turned it on the wrong side,
and there, sure enough, were Psalters I'M |
tials, written in indeliblc ink by my own
hands that very morning.
"Of whom did you buy these things. !
John?" | asked.
"Oh. didn't l tell you:" said John.
IAN old man who said he kept large
clothing store, but being in poor circum-
stances was obliged to peddle off the re- !
of his stock himself"
"had he nose like our parrots beak
and eyebrows that went up so?' said
Fanny, making two little right angles