The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-05

nary, carried on by
Miss Mcfarland and
~ Miss Mary Ann Nc
9%7 Farland.
Although these guardians of maiden
hood were still called "The Mcfarland
girls" they had more than ''just turn
ed thirty" when the seminary was
first started, quite ten years before
the crucial period OF which I am about
to tell. Appearance Indicated no Diff
ference in ages between Miss McFar-
land and Miss Mary Ann; but occas-
ionally one OF the sisters would Law
down the law sufficiently to show some
feeling of rightful authority owning to
one year more OF mortal experience.
This was Miss Mcfarland. The
other sister would quietly give in with
a 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 ofthe 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 a consoling sigh, glance in a
convenient mirror forthe effect. Dress
ing alike and sharing every thought
had moulded the sisters so complet ely
into one being the principal OF the Nc
Farland seminary-that male intrud-
ers with matrimonial intentions had
preforce kept their distance, doubling
their own powers OF attrac-
ton being sufficient to divide these.
'slineal of the purest arts
toracles.'' Who,posed on the ragged edge
OF Poverty Hill with head held high
in the air.
Elisha Bliss was the one male inhab-
liant OF the quiet town brave enough
to call once a week, as such frequency
among the Hoosier pioneers was apt
to be construed into a desire to
"Walt upon the recipient OF the atten-
ton. His bOldness now lasted many
years without interruption and issue
The gentleman in question was tall,
rather limp specimen, whose greatest
natural adornments were q fine head
OF brown hair, always carefully curled,
and a soft persuasive voice.
Mr.. Bliss was q member OF the firm
OF Bliss, Banks and Co., booksellers. AS
heWas apt to remark to the Misses Nc
Farland. '"Our occupations form abond
ofunlon between us. You sell knowledge
verbally, while l educate the ignorant
by the sale of the written erudition of
OF the age" TO which Miss Mcfarland
OF Miss Mary Ann, as the case might
be, would feellng y reply: Eve appre-
ciate the situation, Mr.. Bliss, and are
always grateful for your companion
ship and advice" Miss Mary Ann had
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 a severe reprimand for
thus using an "endearing epithet" in
relation to a single gent leman-for
Elisha Bliss was single. He INDUCED in
a bachelor OF forty-tive years stand
ing never having gone through the
binding process oflove, unless, asgossip
insinuated he, ''was waiting for one
OF the Mcfarland girls, but the
Lord only knows which one,' owing to
the regularity OF his seminary calls; to
which Dame Rumor replied "He GER
tainly does wear, his sittin' breeches
when he pays his respects Satur-
day afternoon being always a. free
time with the sisters, it was set ap art
for receiving any chance visitors, as
Sunday, IN their words "belongs not
to us, but to our Maker" Their inher-
tied Scotch Presbyterianism precluded
any relaxation ON the Sabbath from the
prescribed course of three church serv-
ices relieved by cold meals prepared on
Saturday, and the reading OF psalms
and hymns. Accordingly, one Satur-
day afternoon, Miss Mary Ann sat at
work on her tatting at decorous dis
tance from the window, where she could
catch glimpse through the Venetian
blinds OF callers or pasers-by. As she
sat, her stiff black silk with the assist
ance of the hoopskirt, stood quite
as it were. The trim bodice and loose
sleeves became well her slight figure,
while her black hair brought out the
quiet strength OF the face no longer
young. For the first time in twenty
years she was prepared to receive her
friends without Miss Mcfarland, the
latter being laid up with rheumatism
for the only time on reception days
during all these years.
With great temerity Miss Mary Ann
had consented to her sisters desire
that she receive alone; and now, as
her attention was called by clicking
OF the latch Of the front gate, the feel
ing OF a debutante almost overpower-
ed her. The caller proving to be Mr..
Bliss, she was somewhat treasured,
but her voice showed embarrassment
as she responded to the familiar care