St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-10-04

nm behind? Why don't they repsil
this dismal hole OF . parsonage. and
stop tho church chimney from smoking
and DO what they onght to dor Who
wants Mrs Hampton to bring US . chair
tidy. and Squire Ramsey 20 sort out All
his damaged beans for our benefit and
Annie Smith to work horrible pen
wipors for Us? We're not objects, Of
charity yet, are we?"
"lush, Clara" soothed Leslie.
s.It's the custom. sis. said Harry. II
can't say that Iquite uphold II myself;
but hush, here comes father"
Mr.. Bernard was . mild old gentle
man, with bald head and spectacles,
who sat down to his meal in an absent
sort Of way, IS il his mind were some
what in Superintendent. Tho children
| might easily have continued their dis
cussion and no would havc been none
the wiser.
Clara Bernard was twenty years old
She Was not beauty. nor was she re-
markably talented; but she had round,
fresh face, with hazel eyes. and warm
red-brown hair; and there was deal Of
cOmTuon-sense In her makeup
Leslie WAS the family beauty-a pink
and white Dresden china little creature
and Clara had 1t fully settled that
Leslie was to make . brilliant match.
while she. Clara, was to settle down into
tho mOnotony Of old maidism. But
there were some things that she would
havo liked different. and the coming
donation party weighed very heavily
upon her soul. 1t was supposed to be .
surprise to the minister and his wife.
Clara Leslie and Harry had. however.
been let into the secret q . sort OF nee
essary preliminary. --.
Il WISH" said Leslie thoughtfully.
shat Mrs. Hays would think to give Us
new sitting-room carpet Ours is worn
through to tho very boards Of the floor;
and she has just recarpeted her own
house with real Brussels"
''She will give you bunch OF paper
roses. you will see. " scornfully retorted
Clara ~
''The Hamptons are rich, said Harry.
Little mother would appreciate sew
ing-machine from Mrs Hampton, now
wouldn't she?"
Clara shrugged her shoulders
II can tell exactly what Mrs. Hamp-
ton means to give u.s." said she. Zone
Of those book-marks that her grand
daughter worked. or splatter-worked
tidy. Oh. Harry, II you only knew how
hated all th,s.'
Toward dusk the presents began to
come in. Mira White sent jug OF coal
OIL Deacon Jones brought bag Of wal
nuts ('.just Is il the woods weren't full
Of thsm," said Clara, contemptuously)
Minnie Brown brought = chair-tidy,
Miss Kiser contributed staring chrome.
the Widow Jackson bag Of rancid hens
feathers. Charlie Young . setting Of
ducks eggs 1t was planned to I'LL the
back kitchen with gifts Of this nature.
and to display them all at once to the
minister and his wife. rs surprise"
SISTER," piped little Ida, ''here's .
chair from Mrs. Ecrresty'
Leslie groaned.
''lts the old chair that stood all last
summer on her porch" said she.
painted over and glued up But it
won't last MONTH"
MRS. Forrest all over" said Clara
"At this rate We shall be rich"
1t was nearly dark whom Norman
Arlington came in. Clara WAS empty
ing paper of yeast cakes which old |
Mrs Harrington had sent Old Mrs
Harrington had been very sick that |
summer, and both Mr.. Bernard and his |
wife had kept many . faithful vigil at |
her side. Naturally. she wished to |
show her appreciation Of all this Yeast |
cakes were . penny piece 1t the viii |
lage store, and she had sent half dozen |
of home manufacture. Norman Airing |
ton was tall, straight young man,
with black eyes, and . quiet, earnest |
way with him. He came in with . bag |
over his shoulder. Clara eyed him an
swell. said she.
"You're going to havc donation party
here tonight. they tell me?" said Nor
man.
'Yes sir, answered Clara.
There was warning flash in Clara's
syes.
II thought I would come in early
before the commotion began" said he.
She laughed scornfully.
The commotion Is here now" said
Clara
Clara
Yea Mr.. Arlington"
"Would you DO offended IL were to
offer you"
"Yes, I would" broke out Clara, red
1ening to the very roots Of her hair. II
1on't want It! It's an insult! Carry it
back home. whatever it Is. and please
please don't think that because have
The misfortune to b minister's daugh-
Ter. that"
Norman's black eyes glittered, half
With fun, half with vexation.
'Clara," said ho. you are . little
Iixen! Won't you hear me outr'
''Is 1t buckwheat -FOUR" said Clara,