Catoctin clarion., 1892-08-18
A CHILD on NATURE.

One soft, warm jane day two young
ladies were sitting on the long, vine
embowered veranda of an old fashion
ed house.
One was plump, we'll rounded bru-
nette, whose fingers were busy with
some fancy work ; the other tall. fair
beauty, who lolled idly in her seat,
now and then making bare pretence
of reading.
For an hour neither had spoken, but
at last the brunette having finished her
work, held it up to view, saying
'Therc, Janet, what do you think of
my taste?'
Oh, dear, LOU replied Janet with a
yawn, how horribly tiresome you are.
Why will you persist IN working when
you know low vulgar 1t IS? What's
the use of being rich ii we are not to
act us ladies' p
4 am sure, Janet, Lou answered de-
murely, ihtre can be no harm in snch
trifllng employment and it is II great
pleasure to me.
oh, | dare say Janet cried, petu-
lantly. l suppose there would be no
harm in your going into the field to
help with the haryests. do wish you
would lot Insist on bringing your dis,
grace to me, even if you have no care
for YOURSELF
4 do not see where there is any dis
grace i'll work, Janet.
i suppose 1t Is not disgrace to have
once ear ,ed'our own living and I pre-
sume there is no harm in procaiming
that fact to the world, Janet replied,
sarcasticaly.
No, am sure we did not think hon,
est work dlsgraceful when we We're
compelled to labor, and I do not think
so now
What Will society say, Lou p
i do not Know, nor do | care
1 believe you, and beieye, too, that
you have no care for what Robert Bar
ton may think
i hayen't, Janet. If society or Rob-
ert Barton think it disgrace to have
earned ones living in preference to beg.
ging stealing or starving, | have no re
spect for their opinions and they are
welcome to think of me rs they please.
Lou. sud Janet, after a short pause.
If yon have no care for yourself | wish
you would have little for me. Rob-
crt will be here today, and you know
what Il great catch he is. | have made
up my mind to win him. and | viii. if
you don t shock hiln with your rude
ways. So, Lou, for my sake act Ike
lady. Do not disgrace me before Rob
ert Barton
We'll, sister, for your sake III try and
not shock the sensitive Mr. Barton. AS
it is impossible, though, for me to be
otherwise than natural, and as I can't
pretend to he a lady when | am not,
the safest way is to Keep myself ont OF
Mr.. Barton $ sight. So, as he will be
here soon, I'll take m yself to the woods.
Janet sighed hopelessly and closed
her eyes us it worried beyond endnr
ance.
'Ah, Lou, LOU she cried at last,
what am | ever to do with you? 1t
will Kill me to see you married to some
common man, farmer or a laborer,
but with such horrd taste as you have
l can expect nothing better. Oh, dear !!
Don't worry, Janet. | shall not
marry at present, and when | do I
shall marry the man loye. lie may
be IL farmer, but whatever he is III
warrant him to be good man, for |
shall never love any other kind
Lou went down across IL wooded
meadow, and coming to rustic bridge
sat down.
'Ah,' she sighed, i do wish Janet
were not 50 changed. ann half sorry
we are not still! poor, for | hate atlecta
ton, and know | shall never succeed
in being anything but plain matter Of
fact goose. | can't be lady and af.
feet grand airs, and there's no use in
trying.
After long pause she resumed
Robert Barton will come, and when
he sees Jan It he will like her, and after
awhile they will marry. What a fine
wife she will make, too, and what a
grand lady She Is just the sort of a
person, with her calm self-possesson,
and her stately dignity, to do honor to
a fine old mansion like Oakview. Ah,
dear old Oakvicw, how | love you al.
ready, because you are so solid and un-
preteutious. hope Janet and Robert
Barton will be happy
I all