Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-06-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Two erides.

81 declare, Pamela said Aunt Judith,
'tyou're the awkardest creature ever did see ~
Pamela Parr heaved heavy sigh. Do what
she would, exert heeself as she might, she
never succeeded In satisfying Aunt Judith.
But she never had been quite so nEspleased
with herself or unacceptable to her aunt as
since Maud Ellison had come to the farm on
that summer visit, when she won all hearts
and made, unconsciously perhaps, backy
ground for all poor Pamela's faults aud short.
comings. And now Pamela dropped her end
of the huge roll that Aunt Judith was binding
up with coarse, brown baggiug stuh and a
mattress needle. and burst Into tears.
"I can't help 1t, Aunt Judith, she sobbed (;
90 do my best, but -but-n'ioI
"And bad's the best" said the old lady.
petulantly pushing her away. "There! Go
along and get the potatoes peeled for dlnuerl
don't suppose it's your fault that you was
created the clunisiestgirlin RidgcVillel What
are you crying for, now ? Jealous because I'm
going 10 give this beautiful rag carpet to Maud
Ellison2 But she ls to be married next month,
and want her TO have a real handsome pres
ent as remembrance from me. She is my
brothers daughter, yon know. an
t'And am your sisters daughter" Pamela
yentured to remonstratc-" and-and pm to
be1narried this fail tool"
"Eh 2" said Aunt Judith, facing suddenly
around aud viewing Pamela through her gilt
tertng spectacle glasses. You married Is
there any fellow alive who would fancy your Z"
!" know I'm not beauty" acknowledged
Pamela, "but John Story likes me, and he has
asked me to be his wife. John isn't grand
lawyer, like Cousin Maud's city beau, but he is
good and honest. and he says hen try 70 mike
a comfortable home for me-"
"well." said Aunt Judith, "tastes differ.
That's all have to say about it. But you are
good girl, Pamela, after all, and hope you
will be happy when you're married. Now 90
aud see about the.potatoes."
And Pamela, much consoled by Aunt Ju-
dith's few kindly words, hastened to obey,
rag carpet by herself
And Aunt Judith sat down to dinner With a
good appetite, and actually told Pamela that
when she went to housekeeping she might
have the old wooden clock on the shelf, that
had kept time for forty odd years without va
rying five minutes in the twelve-month And
Pamela thanked her, and said that she and
Jbhn would be very grateful for it.
q wish had another rag oarpet for you,'
said Aunt Judith, her heart warming With e1-
erclse of generosity.
:" wish you had said Pamela, meekly.
" But dare say we can get along without
carpets until ! can save mp rags enough 70
make one"
Maud Ellison was solden-halred beauty,
quite unlike her plain cousin. Her mother, q
dashing widow, had strained every nerve to
secure what the world called g good match y
for her daughter, and when Mr.. Montague
Maynard proposed both mother aud daughter
were jubIlant.
I'm glad that autiquated old woman from
R!dgeYiue isn't coming" said Mrs. Ellison.
who, although AuntJudith had accommodated
them by freely giving Maud summer home
during the period of time during which It was
represented thst she was at Mount Desert Is
land, di not care 70 put herself out for any
country cousins at such time as this.
'sBut expect she1l send me something very
nice for present" said Maud. She seemed
TO take great fancy to me last summer, aud
once sho told ono Of the ueighbors that she In
tended TO make me her heircssi"
The wedding presents were something very
fine, for Mr.. Maynard had great many fash
ionable friends, aud Maud E1lisou's mother
had hired q quantity Of silverWare, jeweIrJ
and brie-A-brac, which were to be sent hack e
tho proprietors on the morning after the wed
ming. There were plush banners mounted OF
gilded standards and painted in rather dauby
limitations of sunfoWers, hol1yhoeks and su.
mac; there were Venetian glass, antique mir.
rors, carved Swiss boxes, decorated cliina
dainty lace aud choice embroidery-in fact, al
the latest capriccs of the dag were represented
and while Maud. surrounded by circle Of ad
miring young friends, and ably seconded b.
the bridegroom-elect. was displaying the gifti
two maids brought in ponderous roll WhIcl
had just arrived by express.
From your Amt judith, !" said Mrs. Ell
son, reading the address.
Goodness me, what can It be p
Something very nice, without doubt, sal
Maud, rapturously clasping her hands.
Open it, somebody cried Miss Isanneti
JerverS, the first bridesmaid. teDear me, VIII
don't yoh make haste A-a rag carpst!
"A-rag carpet ~ incredulously echoed Mr.
Ellison.
"A rag carpet. said Maud, bunting int
tears. g Is that ALI won't have the hoEEi
thing in the house Send II back asainI Te
her don't want it."
The best thing we can do," saId Mrn- Eli
son, who had been making great boauts abou
Maud's rich old aunt at Ridgeville. ~I d.
think the old creature must be crazy Wha
does she suppose we can do with rag csrpes
Why, Maud's drawing-room is in moquette
aud the bedrooms are in body BFuaselss
rag carpet, indeed am sasrrised n
Aud in the first Aush Of her Hortiacatlol
Maud Ellison sat down and wrote eTilp not