The Press., 1892-02-25

SIaHSCS JAAlay DdWSOH, tHc DaDy Ol the primary department, youth of four summers, who had turned from Kitty with a frightened whimper, as if trying to escape her wiles. Kitty was good girl-we all liked her-but she would firt and though she had never been known to flirt with Jimmy Daw- son, it was still standing joke among us that no one could be too young or too old for Kitty's fascinating arts. Mary Ann," I said, as soon as I could find my voice, Sdid you do this ? It's wonderful! How could you P @ "Please, Mabel, give me the book" she pleaded. Il did not mean any one should see them," and she tried to wrest the book from my hands But was the stronger, and no thought of re- linquishing my prize until I had seen all.
 How I laughed as one after another the quaint carricatures appeared! With an almost startling acuteness she had caught the pet foible of each one, and, by few we'll directed lines, had set them before us, an imperishable record. My face turned scarlet when came upon myself in the long robes and phy factories of a Phalisee, expounding the law to my little sister, and pointing out the path to her steps,with my own face turned resolutely in the opposite direc- ton. I am glad to say, though, that l had sense enough to acknowledge justice in my own case as well as the others =.
 "Why, Mabel Ross, where have you been?" cried a volley of voices, and awoke to the fact that the bell had rung, the "noon spell" was over, and here were ] the girls.
 Mary Ann turned a deprecating glance upon me, and tried to shrink into the school-room, but caught her by the arm and answered gaily:
 "Ive been making the acquaintance of gifted artist, to be sure. Allow me to introduce you."
 It was only another of my thoughtless speeches, for.one of our jokes had been that Miss Smithers had said to Lu Ben nett's mother, ''You'd just orter see the picturs my Mary Ann kin make-nigh good enough to sell" My eyes flashed, though, when the burst of laughter fol- lowed what they supposed my brilliant sally, and cried out: "It's true. She is a gifted artist. You'll find out some day that she's worth more than any of us.''
 "Young ladies Young ladies! What I does this mean ?'' and MT. Liscombe ap- peared in the doorway with his look of grave displeasure. =
 walked straight up to him and put the geography in his hands. "Mr, Lis combe," said, twill you please look at these drawings and tell us what you think of them ?" --.. ...~
 70, Mabel!'' gasped Mary Ann.
 Mr.. Liscombe looked astonished-so did the girls, as well they might; but, after little, we settled into the ordinary routine. <:s:-
 I cast furtive glances at MT. Liscombe now and then, and was not surprised that, more than once, I found shaking with laughter. When he was dismissing the school he requested the eleven young la | ' s -slN '.43 dies who were making disturbance in the entry at noon, to remain for few moments. It was needless to specify. He usually requested ten young ladies, but tonight Mary Ann swelled our ranks.
 As I had expected, however, he said nothing about the noise, but began at once on the subject of the valentines.
 "I hold in my hands, young ladies, ten drawings, which show great merit :as re- gards both idea and execution. Am l right in supposing them the work Of Miss Smithers?' .... ts
 Poor Mary Ann bowed a flushed and fearful assent.
 "Has any one word of explanation to offer concerning what has called them forth. I have never supposeds Miss Smithers to possess cruel or vindictive spirit, but these drawings certainly indi- cate something beside an exquisite sense of the ludicrous. Only great provocation could justify one in using so keen a weapon against her comrades" -~
 Then sprang to foot. ts~
 "There has been great provocation, MT. Liscombe. We've every one of us abused Mary Ann shamefully. We've made fun to-day we each sent her horrid comic valentine. She's never done one thing to us-not even told you-and no one would have seen these. valentines if I hadn't of us all, and beg her pardon-there !"
 It was my first public speech, and it won me my husband, for, Of course, you know that Uncle Henry is the Mr. Lis combe of those days.
 But such scene of confusion as en- sued! Mary Ann sobbed as if she had guilty of some capital offense and expect ed condign punishment. The girls crowd ed up to see the pictures, and were little vexed and pouty at first; then Uncle Henry talked to us as had never heard him talk before, on selfishness and re- fined cruelty, and it all ended incur kiss ing Mary Ann, tucking our valentines in our pockets as mementoes, and going down the hill ten very much ashamed and yet very happy girls.
 Uncle Henry walked home with Mary Ann, examined her drawing, and gave her her first lesson that very night. You know he is no mean teacher, and her pro- gress under him was rapid Then she taught school for year to get money to go the Boston Art school, but just at that juncture-it's the nearest approach to a | povol that ovor crOnood s,ox, pofh old