The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-02-05

Although eseguardians of maiden
hood were still called "The Mcfarland
girls" they had more than tjust turn
ed thirty" when the seminary was
first started, quite ten years before
the crucial period of which l am about
to tell. Appearance indicated no diff
terence in ages between Miss McFar-
land and Miss Mary Ann; but occas-
ionally one OF the sisters would lay
down the law sufficiently to show some
feeling OF rightiul authority owning to
one year more of mortal experience.
This was Miss Mcfarland. The
other sister would quietly give in with
e pleasant Eyes, sister. Just as you
say" This was Miss Mary Ann, whose
only compensation for comparative
youth was in the possession of
smoother skin and glossier hair than
Sister" She would never confess
this much even to herself. The perfect
union of the two in thought and deed
was one fthe entertaining facts made
much of at all social gatherings. How
ever, when quietly withdrawing her
will from the scene ofaction she would
frequently smooth her fine black hair,
and with cOnsoling sigh, glance in a
convenient mirror for the effect. Dress
ing alike and sharing every thought
had moulded the sisters so completely
into one being-theprincipal of the Nc
Earland Seminary-thatm male intrud-
ers with matrimonial intentions had
2reforce kept their distance, doubling
heir own powers OF attrac-
lion being sufficient to divide these.
'lineal descendants Of the purest arts
;oracles. Who, posed on the ragged edge
of Poverty Hill with head held high
n the air.
Elisha Bliss was the one male inhab-
ttant of the quiet town brave enough
20 call once week, as such frequency
among the Hoosier pioneers was apt
20 be construed into a desire to
wait upon" the recipient of the atten-
lion. His boldness now lasted many
years without interruption and issue
The gentleman in question was tall,
'ather limp specimen, whose greatest
natural adornments were a fine head
of brown hair, always carefully curled,
and soft persuasive voice.
Mr.. Bliss was member of the firm
If Bliss, Banks and Co., booksellers. AS
aewas apt to remark to the Misses Nc
Farland. Our occupationsform abond
ofunion between us. You sell knowledge
verbally, while I educate the ignorant
oy the sale of the written erudition OF
Of the age" (Which Miss Mcfarland
Or Miss Mary Ann, as the case might
De, would feelingly reply: eve appre-
2iate the situation, Mr.. Bliss, and are
always grateful for your companion
ship and advice" Miss Mary Ann haC
once used the word friendship in this
connection before Sister, but it prov
ed her only venture of the kind, as
she was met with severe reprimand fol
thus using an "endearing epithet" il
relation to a single gent leman-fol
Elisha Bliss was single. He INDUCED IL
a bachelor of forty-tive years stand
ing never having gone through the
climbing process oflove, unless, as gossip
lnsinuated he ''Was waiting for ONT
Of the Mcfarland girls, but the
Lord only knows which one," owing to
the regularity of his seminary calls; tc
which Dame Rumor replied: He Ger
tainly does wear his sittin' breeche.
when he pays his respects" Satur
day afternoon being always FREE
time with the sisters, it was set apart
for receiving any chance visitors, al
Sunday, in their words "belongs no.
to us, but to our Maker" Their inner
tied Scotch Presbyterianism precludec
any relaxation on the Sabbath from tn
prescribed course OF three church serv
ices relieved by cold meals prepared OF
Saturday, and the reading of psalms
and hymns. Accordingly, one Satur
day afternoon, Miss Mary Ann sat q
work on her tatting at a decorOuS dis
tancefrom the window, where she coult
catch glimpse through the Venetian
blinds OF callers or pasers-by. AS sh
sat, her stiff black silk with the assist
ance of the hoopskirt, stood quit
as it were. The trim bodice and loos
sleeves became well her slight figure
while her black hair brought out tn
quiet strength of the face no longe
young For the first time in twent,
years she was prepared to receive he
friends without Miss Mcfarland, tn
latter being laid up with rheumatism
for the only time on reception day
during all these years.
/ With great temerity Miss Mary An
/ had consented to her sisters desir
that she receive alone; and now, a
her attention was called by clickin
| of the latch of the front gate, the fee
ing of debutante almost overpowel
ed her. The caller proving to be MI
Bliss, she was somewhat treasured
but her voice showed embarrassment
as she responded to the familiar car
YOU eIlJO9 ny YOUR uStldi Soou lleetleI
Miss Mary ANN" by a hurried e1
PLANTATION of her sisters absenc
through indisposition. Mr.. Bliss e1
pressed his regret at Miss Mcfarland
illness, but did not seem particular
Respondent at the prospect of a
hour with Miss Mary Ann. Some tai
followed about the last prayer meet
ing, in which Mr.. Bliss had take
quite a conspicuous part; the col
dition of the seminary; the weathe
which had been rather falling of lat,
and other topics of like importanc,
Finally pause of uncomfortab
length ensued. There seemed to /
nothing left to talk about. Mr.. Bills
picked up his silk hat, which had bee
carefully placed on the floor beside h
chair, and quite as carefully smoothe
it the wrong way with his finest hant
kerchief, drawn from the pocket of h
coat tails. The tatting became r
factory, and at her wits end for som
thing to say, Miss Mary Ann brol
the pause usually filled by her sister
conversation with the question: IN
Bliss-ah!-Why, Mr.. Bliss can w