St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-01-04
INDEPENDENT MYRA.
She Didn't Disgrace tho Family
After AL

04S0G &A4&o
OF all bonds that Of sisterly affection
ought to be nearest and tenderest. ac-
cOrding to all the dictates OF nature.
Yet. nevertheless. when Myra Dol
lard came home to live her FIVE sisters
eyed her as obviously as FIVE guinea
fowls might eye a speckled partridge
who had fiuttered unexpectedly into
their p0ultry-yard.
Fifteen years ago. when Aunt Dor
cas- came from the State of Rhode ISL
and to visit her brother in New York.
she had taken the middle daughter
home with her to bring up.
six girls are too many for any
household" said she; .'and the old
house at home is empty and silent.
I'll take one back with me-"
(Which one?" said Mrs. Dollard.
with rather an alarmed look at her
dOck.
'Oh. well draw lots for that" said
Aunt Dollard.
The lot fell on Myra- Consequently
Myra, dimpled dumpling of four
years. returned to Rhode Island with
Aunt Dorcas, and the home circle
kn-sw her no more. Now the old lady
was dead. and Myra had come back to
her fathers house.
Hasn't she grown tall?" eaid Eu-
genia, who was herself inclined to be
short and stocky.
..Isn't she prctty?" said JEANNE
(who had been christened Jane).
mot exactly pretty" pronounced
fastidious Marian. ''but stylish-yes.
quite stylish"
''But she doesn't know any thing
about the piano." whispered Nell
"And she thinks orr Kensington-
stitched lambrequins are hideous-
and she was going to help Bridget with
the dishes. only mamma stopped her
Just in time"
''And her gowns are all last seasons
cut!' said Adelaide. turning up her
Greek nose.
Myra, on her side. had ideas also.
Why" said she. '.you girls don't
do any thingr
Yes, we do" said Jeannie "I.ots
OF things"
I'VE practice" said Nell ''and we
enbroider."
"And we 70 into society,"" added
Marian, land we read all the newest
literature"
"Ohr' said Myra- Father is very
rich, suppose?"
No. he isn't" sighed Eugenia.
'.How funny you do talk. Myra His
income is horribly small; and it's
growing smaller every year since
there's so much competition in the
manufacture Of wallpaper We're all
as poor as church mice"
Then" said Myra. ''why don't you
do something? To help him. mean"
The girls looked blankly at each
other
1T wouldn't do" said Nell. I'VE
should lose our position in society"
oh. bother society,"" said Myra-
Truly this newcomer was more part
ridge-like than ever in the family Of
guinea-fowls!
Mother" said Myra, ''l'll make the
desserts; it costs too much to order
them from the confectioncr's You
don't know what nice pies and custards
can make!"
But my dear. what will Bridget
think"
What does it matter what she
thinks?" said independent Myra- ''And
look here, mother, the Chinese laun-
dry bill was three dollars last sweck
and five dollars the week before. After
this l am going to do up my own
frilled things. and yours, too. and Ill
show the girls how to do theirs"
.'Oh, my dear. you can't!'' said Mrs.
Dollard.
.Why can't I?" said Myra Il used
to 90 Aunt Dorcas' fine things. She
wouldn't trust any one else"
But Parsley farm wasn't New
York"
THAT makes no difference" said
Myra. The expenses here arc some-
thing awful. and father looks so tired
and worried. No wonder. with six
great. idle daughters to provide for!
There isn't girl in Parsley Point,
mother, but what does something for
q living. should think Eugenia and
JEANNE and Nell and Marian and Addy
would be ashamed OF themselves.
What do you think is going to become
OF them?''
MY dear. what becomes Of all the
girls?" reasoned Mrs Dollard.
They'll marry. Of course"
lis it of course?'" said Myra,
thoughtfully.
'.Mr. Roper i very attentive to
Jeannie. and Captain Stafford calls
here quite resularly-we think it is TO
see Marian-and the Falkley girls. with
the handsome brother. are always
sending for Adelaide to spend the day
with them. You see. it is essential,
In such q circle as thiA TO keep up
their social position.