South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-07-17
(HEINTELLIGENCER
FRIDAY, JULY II. 1891.
DITA's sTEPMOTHER.

The sweetest little cherub tha,
ever you saw said Mrs. Constant.
But, oh. such o csrel
L told you so. Mary Jsrc. sail old
Aunt Arabella. sourly. when you
'coald insist on marrying q wido yer
With child
But lored him, said the little
bride, somewhat wistfully.
STUFF and nonsense said Aunt Ar.
abella. The woman never yet lived
who could get along with another wo-
man's child.
We'll. 1 mean to try, said Mrs. Con-
slant. And think / should manage
spleudidly il only the first Mrs. Con.
stants old maid sisters would keep
away, aud Mr.. Constants mother.in.
law by his first wife wouldn't persist
in coming here every day to SEQ IL
Dita has enough fannels on and cats
her regular quantum OF oatmeal and
says her cstechism regularly.
Tell Bridget not TO let them In,
suggested Aunt Arabella, who looked
as if she herself were capable OF do
ing single comba! with all the Moors
OF Spain.
And make mischief between John
and his first wIfe's relationsl said
Mrs. Constant, shaking her curly
head. Oh l couldn't do that
Just then the door flew open, and
little Dita herself trotted IN, a gold
-tressed, pink. checked fairy of
three years old, in yOluminous white
lrock, blue sash aud gold sleeve.
hoops. with blue kid boots, buttoned
~ith little knobs OF pearl. And close
behind her s,alked her maternal
grandmother, Mrs. Cartwhistle, with
the two Misses Cartwhistle following
in the rear.
am surprised, Mary Jane. said
the stepmother-in-law Cir such re-
lation can BEL to hear frem Bridget
that Perdita is allowed to wear her
best white frock every day
She looks SO pretty In it. said Mrs.
Constaht. pleadingly. And she will
soon ou,grow it.
1t is not the way my girls were
brought up IN, said Mrs. Cartwhis.
tie.
I've just boen counting over her
dresses. said Miss Malina Cartw his
tie. Sixteen white dresses> a dozen
sashes, eighteen ruffled and embroId.
cred exits
A child like that needs a great ma
ny changes. said Mrs. Constant.
And that big doll OF hers, added
Miss Susanna Caetwhistle, with the
flaxen hair snd the eyes that open
and shut. declare, Mrs. Constant.
Chese sour spinsters never could be
gotten TO call their brothet-in law s
wife by her Christian name it's pos
tive idolsiry-thut's what il ia. 1t
makes me think of the golden image
that King Wbat-Do-You Call Him
set up for the Israelites to worship.
Mrs. Constant WINGED.
But, indeed, Susanna, said she, I
dida't buy the DOLL 1t was a gift
from her god L ANNA TO Dita.
think it ought to DO sold for the
benefit OF the heather Miss Malina
said.
And / was shocked to see Bridget
giving her jam-yes, raspberry jam
upon her bread aud butter for dinner =,
added the old lady.
It's very plain, spologized the
young stepmother. / made it myself
last summer. And Dita Is SO fond
Of il.
BE yike watbsry dam, solemply
enuncisted this small bone OF con-
tention, who had been looking grave.
ly from one to another OF The speak
srs.
Is q child's digestion Of no conse {.
quencep demanded Mira. Cartwhistle.
Are tho rules OF hygiene to be set
entirely al de6ance2 Miss malina
questioned.
The seeds OF disease 10 be implant.
cd, even at his early age added
Miss Susanns.
But here Aunt Arabella rose ap,
busting and indignant, in her nlece's
defense.
1t strikes me, ladies, said she, that
we are all OF US meddIing with what
is none Of our business. My niece,
Mary Jane, az the wife Of Charles
Constant aud the mother Of this lit
tie child Is doubtless a better judge
of these matters than we can pretend
TO be Mary Jane, IL you are going
out shoppiDg With me, It's high time
you put on your bOnueLi
Tue bride looked tlmidly around.
If Mrs. Cartwhistle and Mal'na
and Susanna will excuse me, said she,
doubtfulIy.
oh, zoe are Of no consequence, said
Miss Malina, with toes Of the head
Pray don't remain OF home on our
account said Miss Susanna.
We are just going TO take leave
ourselves, said Mrs, CartWhistle.
sourly.
Me do. too, mamma, coaxed little
Dita, seizing hold Of the skirts Of Mrs.
Constants dress. NE do with 90.
No, darling. no, said Mrs. Con-
stsnt, ringing the bell for Bridget.
You are too little.
Exercise is good for the child, in.
ter posed Grandmamma CartWhistle.
Ettertise dood for l. This vas Di.
ta's mite.
And you know you we're very
orouVv Lat nioht addod Mra Cou.